LAST WILL & TESTAMENT
OF
MILES H. DAVIS
Introduction:
Miles H.
Davis, born about 1826 in Tennessee, was the husband of Mary Matilda
Chamberlain, and the father of Amanda L. Davis.
Amanda Davis married William
E. Lunsford in Dyer County,
William E. Lunsford was the
son of Stephen T. Lunsford and Eliza Ann Spain. He was born about 1855 and died
between 1880 and 1885.
William E. Lunsford and
Amanda Davis were the parents of Stephen H. Lunsford and J. Andrew “Andy”
Lunsford, heirs in the will of Miles H. Davis.
Stephen T. Lunsford was the son of William Lunsford of
Lauderdale County,
Last Will
& Testament of M. H. Davis, Deceased
Probated
Tom Ferguson,
Clerk
I,
M. H. Davis, Being of sound mind and disposing memory do hereby make and
publish this my last will and Testament revoking all
others by me at any time made.
Item
First: I give and bequeath to my beloved
wife Mary Matilda Davis Fifty acres of my home tract of land in the 5th
Civil District of Dyer County, Tennessee including all or the buildings on same
during her natural life and at her death to go to my two grandchildren Andrew Lunsford and Lillie Jane
Middleton, children of my deceased daughter, Amanda Elizabeth Middleton to be
equally divided between said grandchildren.
Item
2nd: I give and bequeath to my son G. W. Davis, the tract of 60
acres of land on which he now lives but after my death my said son G. W. Davis
shall pay to my beloved wife for her support the sum of Two Dollars and fifty
cents per acre annually on the cleared land given to him provided my said wife
deems it necessary and demands the same and said rent shall be a charge on his
said land during his life.
Item 3rd: I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Henry
Odom to her sole and separate use free from the control debts and liabilities
of her present husband W. C. Odum or any future
husband she may have during her natural life and at her death to her children
the 40 acre tract of land I bought from Joseph Cozart
and lying on the East side of my Home tract in District No. 5 of Dyer county,
Tennessee, my said daughter shall also pay after my death for the support of her
mother the sum of Two Dollars and fifty centers per acre annually, rent on the
cleared land given to her if my said wife demands the same and the said rent
shall be a charge on said land.
Item
4th: I give and bequeath to
my daughter Sabilia Ida Davis to her sole and
separate use free from the control of any husband she may have, should she
marry during her natural life and at her death, to her children should she
marry and leave children. But if she
died without leaving children, then to her brother and sisters and the
representatives of brothers and sisters the 67 and ˝ acres of the Fizer tract of land lying on the West side of the Troy
public road in District No. 5 of Dyer county, Tennessee and my said daughter
shall also pay to my said wife after my death for the support of her mother the
sum of Two Dollars and Fifty cents per acre on the cleared land given to her
annually provided my said wife demands the same and said rent shall be a charge
on said land.
Item
5th: I give and bequeath to
my grandson Steven Lunsford, 26
acres of my home tract and to be cut off of the East side of said home tract
and about 26 acres of land known as the old Freeman tract, both of said tracts
being in District No. 5 of Dyer County
Tennessee, also 90 feet on the North side of the town lot in the town of
Dyersburg Tennessee and being that part of the town lot on which H. M. Phillips
now lives and being a part of the lot belonging to the Algea
Heirs, bought by me by a decree of Chancery Court, to the said Steven Lunsford during his natural life
and at his death to his children if leaving children at his death, if he should
die unmarried, leaving no children, then the above mentioned property shall
revert back to my heirs to be equally divided between them, and my said grandson,
shall pay to this grand mother after my death for her support, should she
demand same, the sum of Two Dollars and Fifty Cents per acre annually rent on
the cleared land in District No. 5 given to him and said rent shall be a charge
on said land.
Item
6th: I give and bequeath to
my daughter Sarah Jane Phillips to her sole and separate use free from the
control, debts and liabilities of her husband H. M. Phillips or any future
husband she may have, during her natural life and at her death to her children
if should die leaving children, but if she should die without children then to
my heirs to be equally divided between them.
The House and lot in the town of
Item
7th: In case of the death of
my said grandchildren, Andrew Lunsford
and Lillie Jane Middleton and Steven
Lunsford without leaving children then the property herein given to then
shall go to the survivors of said grandchildren, and if all of them should die
without children, then said property shall revert to my estate and be equally
divided between my heirs,
Item
8th: At my death I direct
that my Executors hereafter named shall sell my tract of 74 acres of land known
as the Fizar land and not disposed of by me in this,
my last will and testament, on the best terms possible, either privately or
publicly, and apply the proceeds together with any other money on hand at my
death, to pay all the debts, if any, of my estate and the balance of any pay to
my wife. I also direct that all my house
hold and kitchen furniture be given to my wife, also I direct that all my stock
on hand except that which my wife if entitled to by law be sold and the
proceeds be used to pay debts if any and the balance if any to go to my wife.
Item
9th: I hereby nominate and
appoint my son G. W. Davis and my Friend George I. Johnson, the Executors of
this my last will and testament.
In testimony whereof I, M. H. Davis do hereby subscribe my name to
this my last will and testament on this the 1st day of August 1895.
M.
H. Davis
And
we, Ed H. Baker and E. H. Harrell, subscribing witnesses to this last will and
testament of M. H. Davis at his request and in his presence and in the presence
of each other subscribed our names as witnesses to this the last will and
testament of M. H. Davis on this the 1st day of August 1895.
E.
H. Harrell
E.
H. Baker
See Minutes: Minute Book J # 342.
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Source:
Court House,
Transcribed by Deborah Lunsford Yates,
Last Updated Friday, November 14, 2003 11:07:16 PM CST
