Washington County, Tennessee, Will Book 1, Page 6
In the name of God amen.
I being sound in Judgement and properly in my sences [sic] altho weak in body and knowing that I must shortly depart this life and stand before Almighty God I leave this as my last will and testament which is as follows viz and first I leave my soul to Almighty God through Jesus Christ and secondly my body to the ground to return to dust from whence it came and thirdly that all my lawfull [sic] debts be paid - and fourthly that my beloved wife Priscilla should have at hir [sic] disposal all my living lands and tenements goods and chattles and negro slaves and their increase - except negro Prue which is the mother of the rest and my will is that the above Prue should have her freedom at the death of my beloved wife Priscilla and if my widow should marry again the above negroe [sic] Prue to have her freedom at that time. In witness whereof I do set my hand this 6th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty-two.
- his
- John X Nodding (seal)
- mark
The foregoing will was proven in court by the Oathes of Samuel Wood and James Scott - the subscribing witnesses thereof at February Session 1783 and ordered to be recorded -
Submitted by Sherry Cook
INVENTORY & ESTATE RECORDS
INVENTORY: Washington Co., Tennessee; Inventory Book 00, pgs. 126-127; November Sessions 1799; Mordecai Price An account of the property of Mordecai Price, deceased. Seven head of hoges, five cows & three calves, two 2 year old & five yearlings, nine Sheep, twenty four head of hogs, fifteen geese. One Rifle gun, one still & three tubs, one waggon and geers, one straw knife and bone, one anvil, Two feather beds & furniture, Two pewter dishes & eleven plates, four basons, Five knives & forks, Fifteen Spoons, eight tin cups, Six cups & seven saucers, Two bowles & one coffee pot. One bottle, one mug and Six crocks. Two pails & one bucket. One tub, three iron pots, two ovens, one skillet, one frying pan. Seven chairs, one chest, One looking glass, one pair of fire tongs, two smoothing irons, one pair of --, one table, one wheel, one pair of wool cards, one brush, Three saddles & one bridle, one p. of bridle bits, three books, Two kegs, one Ladle & flesh fork, one razor, one pair of presses, one log chain, one loom, two slays & a pair of gears. Three axes, one wedge, one mattock, Three Bells, one auger, two handsaws, five ploughs , six ?, one seythe, four reaf hooks, two pot racks, one branding iron, one pair of stirrup irons, one drawing knife, one half bushell, one ? box, Two baskets, a quantity of flax-sixteen pound, & one quarter of wool, one pound of cotton, three clevises, seven ?, one pair of saddle bags, one pair of hinges.
ESTATE SETTLEMENT: Washington Co., Tennessee; Receipts belonging to the settlement of the Estate of Mordecai Price, dec'd. 1815 thru 1818 pgs. 127-128;
Where as I Benjamin Price Legatee of the Estate of Mordecai Price deceased received of Rachael Price forty two dollars & eighty four cents, it being part of my fathers estate as our of the Legatees rec. by me Feb 11th day 1815.
Benjamin Price ( his seal). James Robinson.
Where as I Henry Ausmus Legatee of the estate of Mordecai Price deceased, received of Rachel Price forty three dollars it being the money of my fathers estate as one of the Legatees
Rec. by me February the ? day 1815. Henry (X ) his mark Ausmus. (his seal).
Where as I Thomas Price Legatee of the Estate of Mordecai Price deceased received of Rachael Price forty two dollars & eighty four cents, it being the money of my fathers estate as one of the Legatees rec. by me April 4th day 1815.
Thomas Price (his seal) Test. James Robinson.
Where as I Christopher Price Legatee of the Estate of Mordecai Price deceased received of Rachael Price forty two dollars & eighty four cents, it being the money of my fathers estate as one of the Legatees rec. by me February 11th day 1815.
Christopher (X) his mark Price. (his seal). Test James Robinson.
Where as I James Price Legatee of the Estate of Mordecai Price deceased received of Rachael Price forty two dollars & eighty four cents, it being the money of my fathers estate as one of the Legatees rec. by me February 11th day 1815.
James (X) his mark (his seal). Test James Robinson.
Where as I Mordecai Price Legatee of the Estate of Mordecai Price deceased received of Rachael Price forty two dollars & eighty four cents, it being the money of my fathers estate as one of the Legatees rec. by me February the 25th day 1818.
Mordecai Price (his seal).
Where as I Dolphin Price Legatee of the Estate of Mordecai Price deceased received of Rachael Price forty two dollars & eighty four cents, it being the money of my fathers estate as one of the Legatees February the 25th day 1818.
Rec. by me Dolphin (X) his mark Price. (his seal). Test. James Robinson.
Where as I Sarah Price Legatee of the Estate of Mordecai Price deceased received of Rachael Price forty two dollars & eighty four cents, it being the money of my fathers estate as one of the Legatees rec. by me February the ? day 1818.
Sarah (X) her mark Price.
Submitted by: Lyle & Selena DuLac, lvd@interworldnet.net
Submitted by. Ronald Akers, 13203 Clyde Park Ave., Hawthorne, CA 90250-4915, 310-643-6849, e-mail: rlmlakers@earthlink.net. [Ronald is the great x 3 grandson of Peter, see WAGS Bulletin, Vol. 26, No. 1, page 53.]
Note: Peter Range, Sr. really needs no introduction to the people of Washington County, TN or the readers of the WAGS Bulletin. Peter was an early pioneer in Washington Co. coming probably in the late 1780's following the Revolutionary War, from his younger life in Pennsylvania and initial family beginnings in Virginia. The establishment of his family business enterprise and home are all well chronicled in WAGS' History of Washington County, Tennessee, 1988, wherein his house (still standing) appears on page 155, his mill on page 191 and family history on pages 457-8. Peter born in New Jersey in 1749, died in Washington Co, TN in 1817 and is buried with his wife and several family members very near his stone house in Johnson city, TN*. His will is contained in Washington Co, TN records, Will Book #1, pages 114-118. It is a classic will of the period and contains many genealogical helps for people researching this family. Its transcription follows, made from a photocopy of the original record. Spelling, punctuation and capitalization are basically per the original. Items in brackets [ ] are words in question by the transcriber.
Will of Peter Range Sr.
In the name of God Amen, I Peter Range of the State of Tennessee and County of Washington, Being weak and Low in health But in sound mind and memory thanks be given to God. Calling unto mind the mortality of my Body and Knowing that it is appointed for all Men once to die do make and ordain this my Last will and Testement that is to say principally and first of all I Give and Recommend by soul into hand of almity God and Gave it and my Body I Recommend to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian Buriel at the disretion of my Executers and as Touching such worldly estate wheare with it has pleased God to bless me in this life. I give demiss and despose of the same in the following manner and form.
First I give and bequeath to my beloved son Jacob My plantation with all other apertaninces belonging theare to and he the said Jacob is to keep my wel Beloved Wife with him and to youse her as a tender Son would thear Mother also it is my will and Desire that he Jacob shall keep my three Daughters Barbary, Sarah and Rachel as Long as the keeps single and yosue them as a tender Brother ought to youse his sisters, it is also my Desire tat Jacob pay my Son Peter one thousand Dollars in the term of five years and he Jacob is to let Peter injoy that part of the plantation wheare he now lives until he pays him the Money.
Further more I give and bequeath all Moneys that is in my posestion or Due to Me To my son Jacob to be his, it is also my desire that Jacob pay my son Isaac nine hundred Dollars and one horse, saddle and bridle to the worth of one hundred Dollars to be paid to him in two years from the time of the sale of property.
Further more I give and bequeath to my three Daughters Barbary, Sarah and Rachel Each of them a good Bed; and all the Rest of my household furniture and stocks I want sold and one third of the money arising from the sale I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, the other two thirds of the money to go to my Daughters allowing them all an Eaqul part but my three Daughters that now lives with me Barbary, Sarah and Racahel to have on hundred dollars more then the Rest to make them Equal with the others, it is also my Request that Jacob pay my son John one Dollar as he has already got his part that I alow him.
Lastly I make Constitute and ordain my Sons John and Jacob to be my Executers of this my Last Will and Testament and I do heareby utterly Disalow Revoke and disannul all and Every other former Testament, Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my Last will and Testament in witness wheare of I have heare unto set my hand and seal this Six of august in the [year] of our Lord one thousand Eight and Seventeen.
Attest
John Mallone
his
Jonathan Hammer "x"
Peter X Range Seal
Mark Mears "x"
mark
This is to Certify that wee are all Agreed to this Will given under our hands this second day of December 1817.
Elisabeth Range
Elisabeth Miller
John Range
Susanna Davalt
Jacob Range
Barbara Range
Peter Range
Sary Range
Isaac Range
Rachel Range
Margaret Davault
Know all men by these present that we Jacob Range and John Range, James Meloon, Jonathan Coreathers [Crethers?] are held and firmly bound unto Joseph Mixniman [?], Gouvenor [?] as his security [?] in the just & full sum of four thousand dollars to be held [?] on condition that John Range and Jacob Ranage shall will and truly execute all the duty of executors of the last will and testament of Peter Range deceased according to law and settle with those who are entitled to receive by virtue of said will witness our hands & seals this 19th day of January 1818.
|
Test. |
|
|
Jas Sevier |
John Range Seal |
|
|
Jacob Range Seal |
|
|
James Meloon Seal |
|
|
Jonatha Crethers Seal |
Note: The Peter Range Cemetery can be found in the cemetery section.
Washington County, Tennessee Will Book 2, pp. 189-190
I, Jessee Riggs, do make and publish this as my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me at any time made first. I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debts be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any moneys that I may die possessed of or may first come into the hands of my executor.
Secondly, I bequeath to my beloved wife Hannah Riggs the farm I now live on, bounded by John Whitlock (or heirs), Charles Bacon, Endymon Yoakley, Uriah Hunt and others containing 167-1/2 acres more or less, to have and to hold during her natural life, or so long as she remains my widow and further my will is that my beloved wife have the property that she had at the time of our marriage for her to have the full control to do as she sees fit with, it by will or any way that seems to her that is just and right. The property that I had at the time of our marriage and the property we have made since or may make hereafter. My will is that my beloved wife have the control of said property and make use of said property to her special benefit during her natural life or so long as she remains my widow, and others to be sold by my Executor to the best advantage and the money to be put to uses hereinafter described.
Thirdly. My will is that William Riggs have the lower end of the farm where I now live, the one half of the above mentioned farm after the death of my beloved wife Hannah Riggs or at the end of her widowhood of the said Jesse Riggs. My will is that Elizabeth Combs my Granddaughter have the upper part of the as above described farm containing one half of said farm to hold unto her heir his natural life and them to her bodily heirs. My will is that she have no power to sell her life dower in said tract only to use said lands to her own special benefit, and my will is that her bodily heirs have no power to sell the said land in the lifetime of their mother, after her death, their to do as they please with said tract of land.
My will is that my daughter Elizabeth Murray, who is now dead, her heirs to have no more of my estate as my son William Riggs bought of her and Jessee Murray her husband the entire content in my estate during her lifetime and paid her for the same. My will is that my property be sold after the death of my beloved wife if she continues to remain my widow and if not be sold at the end of her widowhood, as described in the foregoing will, and the money divided by my executor to William Riggs if living, if not to his representatives, and in the same manner to my Granddaughter Elizabeth Combs, each one to have an equal share of the money that my personally property may bring.
Lastly, I do hereby nominate and appoint Henry Lady my Executor. In witness whereof I do to this my will set my hand and seal This 11th day of June 1866.
Jessee Riggs (Seal)
Signed, sealed and published in our presence and we have subscribed our names hereto in the presence of the Testator this 11th day June, 1866.
- Test
- Nathan Shipley
- Elbert A. Shipley
The foregoing will was presented to the court for probate at the April, Tenn 1869 and proven by the mouth of Nathan Shipley and Elbert A. Shipley the two subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
- Test
- J. F. Grisham, Clerk
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES FOR JESSEE RIGGS
While we rejoice at the growth of our Churches, it becomes our painful duty to chronicle the mournful fact that two of our beloved and much respected ministers have fallen since our last annual meeting: Rev. Jesse Riggs and Rev. A. B. McGarry. Bro. Riggs had been in the ministry about forty years, and was pastor of Double Springs Church all this time. He was a bright and shining light to all, and incessant in the labor for the cause of Christ. Bro. McGarry had been engaged in the Masterís cause about twelve years and was a successful laborer in the vineyard of the Lord.
We tender their families and surviving friends our heartfelt sympathies, and commend them to the Lord and the Word of His grace for comfort in the hour of their trial.
W. A. Keen, Chairman of Committee
From: SOLDIERS OF THE WAR IN 1812 BURIED IN TENNESSEE
RIGGS, Jesse, (8-22-1792 - 1-27-1869) Sullivan county. Married 1st, Mary Ann Barron (8-12-1813 - d. 10-1852) married 2nd, Hannah Humphreys (11-4-1858) (living in Washington County in 1883); Pvt. Capt. Amon Barron's Co., Col. Ewen Allison's Regiment East Tennessee Militia (1-1-1814) War Department and Tennessee State Archives; Double Springs Baptist Cemetery (Kendrick's Creek), Sullivan County Tennessee.
From: TENNESSEE'S PIONEER BAPTIST PREACHERS (neglected to record date & publisher of book)
"Rev. Jesse Riggs: Forty years a Baptist minister; born August 22, 1792; died January 27, 1869" tombstone inscription at Double Springs Church.
Through the representations of Elders W. A. Keen and W. K. Cox, the subject of this sketch seems to the writer like an old acquaintance. Nevertheless, he has to confess that he has been unable to secure data and definite information for a sketch at all worthy of his subject. The scene of his labors, however, was in upper East Tennessee, the upper Holston country. He was about forty years pastor of the Double Springs Church, which was the largest church representing in the Holston Association in 1845, reporting that year 223 members. Brother Keen always regarded Jesse Riggs as his spiritual father and his father in the ministry - always spoke of him as Father Riggs. In a great meeting held by him and William Cate (1841) with the Fall Branch Church, during Brother Riggs' pastorate of that church, Brother Keen (with seventy-five others) was converted, and was led down into the water and baptized by Father Riggs.
He was married to Mary Ann Barron, August 12, 1813, and to Hannah Humphreys, November 4, 1858.
In Minutes of the Holston Association for 1869 is a published obituary of Elder Jesse Riggs, "a beloved and much respected minister of the Association for fory years and pastor all that time of Double Springs Church." It spells something for a man to be pastor of a church continuously for forty years
Jesse Riggs, it is said, when thoroughly stirred, was a powerful exhorter; but steadfastly believed some very hard doctrine - in fact thought that whatever was to be would be sure to come to pass, and that the Lord didn't very much need human help to carry on His business. So, in the meeting above referred to, he had a suspicion at first that a good deal of the so-called "revival" was "fox-fire," and was about to shake off the dust of his feet against the place and leave the meeting. Brother Cate said to him, "Brother Riggs, how long have you been pastor of the church? How long have you been praying for these sinners?" "All the time." was the reply. "Now, Brother Riggs, why should you be so scared when the Lord so marvelously answers your prayers?" Brother Riggs saw the point, and broke forth in a most wonderful exhortation.
WAS JESSE RIGGS A BROTHER TO LEVI RIGGS?
I know that 'a Jesse Riggs' was a brother to Levi Riggs and Ninian Riggs who were all sons of John Riggs, the sons were all born in Maryland. My first knowledge of John Riggs in Tennessee is when he purchased land on the French Broad in Jefferson county in April 1811. In 1815 the following were on the tax lists of Isaiah Midkiff in Grainger county; Ninian Riggs, Jesse Riggs, Jesse Riggs, Jr., and a man named Ammon Barron, indicating they all lived in the same vicinity. By 1817 Jesse and Jesse Jr. had disappeared and my ancestor, Levi Riggs appeared, near by Ninian Riggs and Ammon Barron. The significance of Ammon Barron becomes apparent when we find a marriage of Amon Barron to Nancy Riggs 29 October 1813 in Jefferson county and the marriage of a Jesse Riggs to Nancy Ann Barron (see wife #1 in above biography) in Jonesboro on 27 July 1831 (discrepency in dates). Also the Jesse Riggs in the above biography served in the War of 1812 under Captain A. Barron.
In application for pension the wife of Jesse Riggs, Hannah, states that her husband was a hatter by occupation at the time of his enlistment. In the settlement of the estate of James Blair in 1833 (I didn't record where) cash was paid to Jesse Riggs for 3 wool hats. It would seem that Jefferson and Grainger would be too far away from Washington or Sullivan to be dealing in hats between the two areas. I suppose it is possible that Jesse Riggs, the preacher, had to have another occupation to support his family (no children are ever mentioned)
The 1860 census of Washington Co., TN shows Jesse Riggs, age 67, Baptist minister, born in Maryland and his wife Hannah, age 57, b. TN. My great great grandfather, Levi Riggs, was born in Maryland 15 February 1794 and Ninian Riggs was older than either of them.
Unfortunately there were other Riggs families in the Jefferson/Grainger area with seemingly no relationship. There were several Jesse Riggs also. My hope was to find evidence in Washington or Sullivan counties which would link, Jesse the preacher, to my Levi. Did the John Riggs family live elsewhere in Tennessee between the time they left Maryland and the date John purchased the land in 1811 in Jefferson County, could that place have been Washington county? Migration patterns lead me to believe the family came down the Shenandoah Valley from Maryland and upon arriving at the Holston they rafted down river to ??? before they arrived in Jefferson county.
John Riggs, the father of the above sons and many more children, was listed in the 1830 census of Jefferson County as being between 80 and 90, there was a female in the household 70 to 80.
Contributed by Jill Rich (jillslp@naxs.com) for use on the Washington County, Tennessee TNGenWeb Project.
Washington County, Tennessee, Will Rook 1, page 44.
Know all whom these presents may concern. I the Charles Robertson, Sr. of the County of Washington & State of Tennessee on the thirty first day of August in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred and ninety eight have my last will and testament, as I think myself perfectly in my senses and capable of disposing of my estate as I think best. In the first place I think best to appoint Charles Robinson Jr. & James Gordon & Jacob Brown my executors to act and settle my business & after all my just & lawfull debts is paid & settled the ballance to be disposed of as follows. - I do and bequeath unto my wife Susannah Robertson Negro Peter and Poll her bed and furniture sufficient for the same until the said Susannahs death then they to be equally between my sons all my real estate to be divided equally amongst my sons and all my personal estate to be divided amongst my Sons and daughters except these exceptions that is that William Robertson to have Negro Kate deducted or the price thereof out of his part. Rosamond Beane to have the price of Negro Rhoud deducted out of her part Kesiah Sevier to have a likely Smart Negro girl which is to be the full amount of her share Sarah Cox to have ten dollar which is also to be the full amount of her part there is also excepted out of my real estate two thousand acres of land lying at the Muscel Shoals which is to be taken out of eight thousand acre tract one thousand to be given to Gordon and the other thousand to be given to Charles Sevier. In testimony whereof I have set my hand the day & year first above written
Charles Robinson Snr.
Submitted by Dessie Little Simmons.
In the name of God amen:
I Isaac White of the State of Tennessee Washington County being for a long time in low health and weak in body but still of perfect sound mind and memory knowing that it is appointed for all men to die and for the distribution of such worldly estate as it has pleased God to bless me with do make this instrument of writing my last will and testament in the following manner - First I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah my Negro woman named Beck during her life and after her death to be the property of my son Terry White should he be living and all my household goods and furniture I leave to my wife and son Terry to dispose of their pleasure Item - I give and bequeath to my son Terry my two Negro boys named Sam and Ned together with all stock of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, farming utensils, still and vessels and every other article belonging to me not otherwise disposed of, but he is to fend my wife with a horse bridle and saddle at all times when she shall choose or want it her own pleasure and also to fend her in sufficient and decent apparel and that during her life or continuance to dwell with him and to also pay after the death of my wife to my sons William, Stephen, Richard and to my daughters Mary wife of Thomas Gibson, Susannah wife of Daniel Denton, Anna wife of Elijah Keen the sum of one hundred dollars each -and as I have heretofore given and conveyed to my other sons their portion in land I hereby bequeath the several sons given as their portion of my estate - Lastly, I nominate and appoint my beloved wife and my son Terry Executrix and Executor of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and disanuling all other wills, legacies and bequest by me heretofore made and making this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I have hereby set my hand and affixed my seal this Fifth day of May in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Nineteen.
Transcribed by: Carla Gruber
