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I, B. F. Edwards for the love and affection I entertain towards my sister, Patience Cotton, wife of John Cotton, do hereby give, transfer and convey to said Patience Cotton for the term of her life, a Negro boy named Scott about 13 years of age and of Black complexion. I convey this life estate to my sister Patience free from the control, debts, liabilities or contracts of her said husband John Cotton or any other husband that she may have, and if the said John Cotton survives his said wife Patience, then I give and convey to said John Cotton the remainder interest in said boy Scott to take effect at the death of said Patience. If said Patience Cotton survives her said husband John Cotton then I give and convey the remainder interest in said boy Scott, to the children that said Patience may have by said John Cotton. I hereby empower said John Cotton to sell said boy Scott in case he misbehaves or does not suit said parties, and I leave it with said John Cotton to be the judge of the fact whether or not it is necessary to sell, and the said John Cotton if he sells said boy Scott will apply the proceeds of the sale to the use and benefit of said Patience Cotton during life with remainder to said John Cotton. January 22nd 1860. Given under my hand and seal. B. F. Edwards (Seal)
State of Tennessee, Sumner County - Personally appeared before me John L. Bugg, Clerk of the County Court of said County, B. F. Edwards, the donor, with whom I am personally acquainted and who acknowledged that he made and presented the foregoing Deed of Gift for the purposes therein contained. Witnessed my hand at office this 2nd day of November AD 1860. John L. Bugg, Clerk
Rec'd for registration at 2 o'clock P. M. December 1860. Thomas Donoho, Dep. Regr.
State of Tennessee, Sumner County - I, R. D. Moore, Register foresaid County, certify that the foregoing Deed of Gift and Probate are duly registered and examined at my off in Bill Book M, pages 92 & 93. This 14th day of December AD 1860. R. D. Moore, Reg. S. County, By Thomas Donoho, Dep. Regr.