WILL OF JAMES BLACK. I, James Black, of the County of Maury in the State of Tennessee, in order to adjust my worldly affairs and do justice among my widow and children, do make ordain and publish this instrument and the deeds of gift therein enclosed as my last will and testament. Item 1st: I direct that all my just debts be paid out of my crop at hand, my horses, hogs, sheep, cattle, and mules except the two [mules] hereinafter given to my wife, my plantation utensils, and whatever debts may be due me. Item 2nd: I bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary Black all my household and kitchen furniture, my carriage and the two mules ordinarily worked in the same. Item 3rd: I direct that whatever surplus there may remain of the above property shall be applied to my debts [and] after the payment of any debts shall be equally divided among my widow and my daughters. Item 4th: I will and direct that my two negro men, George and Isaac, be hired by my executors and the proceeds of their hire be from year to year for the next three years ensuing my demise paid over by my executors to my daughter Mary Matthews and from and after the end of that three years be paid over by them to my daughters Mary Matthews and Almira Johnson in equal portions and to their children in the event of their death or the death of either of them. Item 5th: I have, in the deed of trust of the land and the deeds of gift of the negro slaves made part of this will, made such a distribution and division of my land and slaves among my widow and children as I deem right and proper, and I direct my executors immediately upon my demise to deliver the deeds of gift of the slaves to the parties to whom the same are respectively made and also to deliver them the negro slaves therein specified, and I also direct my executors [to] execute the trusts declared in said deed for the lands. In witness whereof I, James Black, have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 4th day of NovÕr 1848. Witnesses: Raof [?] Satterfield, John Haddox.

Codicil: The reason why I have give nothing to Levi KetchamÕs children is that he said he was able to give his children more than I was mine. It is further my will that Jack, America and Amanda shall remain with my wife, Mary Black, during her natural lifetime and at her death I will and bequeath to my daughter Talitha C. Waterson [Watterson] America, and I further will at the death of my wife that my negro man Jack shall choose himself a guardian for the remainder of his life, and further my wife shall make any disposition that she may please of Amanda. It is further my will that after all the articles enumerated in my will are sold, such as stock &c [et cetera] which I have directed to be done for the purpose of paying my just debts, in the event that the proceeds of said sale does not amount to enough to pay my debts, then I wish and will that my wife do keep together the land and negroes &c [et cetera] and make a crop yearly until the proceeds of said farm are sufficient to pay my debts. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 19th day of February 1849. Witnesses: Raof [?] Satterfield, John Haddox.

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