(page 195) 
SMITH PALMER's Last Will and Testament 

In the name of God, Amen.  I, SMITH PALMER of Weakley County and State of Tennessee being of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto 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 testament and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form: 

Item first - As I have heretofore given to WILLIAM A. PALMER, my eldest son to the amount of one thousand and seventy dollars.  And to JAMES A. PALMER my second son, one negro man named GILBERT valued at one thousand dollars and a certain tract of one hundred acres of land valued at three hundred dollars. 

And to EMILY M. A. CAVETT, my eldest daughter, one negro girl named MARGARET valued at seven hundred dollars and one negro boy named DOCTOR valued at six hundred dollars. 

Item 2nd - As the above named WILLIAM A. PALMER, JAMES A PALMER and EMILY M. A. CAVITT have received each of them the above named sums I now proceed to give and bequeath JOHN W. PALMER, my third son, HENRY C. PALMER, my fourth son, MARY R. PALMER, my second daughter, ELIZABETH C. PALMER, my third daughter all these last four jointly and severally the number of eight negores viz.  I give unto JOHN W. PALMER, HENRY O. PALMER, MARY R. A. PALMER and ELIZABETH C. PALMER, REUBEN, ISHAM, HENDERSON, MANUEL, RALPH, AILSEY, ANN and REENY which last mentioned eight negroes to be equally divided between JOHN W. PALMER, HENRY O. PALMER, MARY R. A. PALMER and ELIZABETH C. PALMER as each become of age. 

Item 3rd, I also give and bequeath unto JAMES A. PALMER, EMILY M. A. CAVETT, (page 196) JOHN W. PALEMR, HENRY O. PALMER, MARY R. A. PALMER and ELIZABETH C. PALMER the number of five negroes viz. AMY, CUIDA, WILLIS, THOMAS, JIM jointly and severally to be equally divided between them after my decease. 

Item 4th, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife ELIZABETH PALMER and AMANDA M. F. PALMER, TENNESSEE PALMER, VIRGINIA PALMER and EDWARD H. PALMER a certain number of negroes viz. NICK, NANCY, WAT, CHARLES, WASHINGTON, SUSAN, PHIL, ISAAC to be jointly and severally and equally divided between ELIZABETH PALMER my beloved wife and AMANDA M. F. PALMER, VIRGINIA PALMER, TENNESSEE PALMER and EDWARD H. PALMER. 

Item 5 - I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife ELIZABETH PALMER the manner negroes viz. NICK, NACY, WAT, CHARLES, WASHINGTON, SUSAN, PHIL and ISAAC to have and to hold the same and the use of them while she the ELIZABETH PALMER my beloved wife remains a widow. 

Item 6th, I do and it is my wish that all my lands, household furniture and perishable property shall be sold after my decease and the money equally divided between ELIZABETH PALMER, my beloved wife, JAMES A. PALMER, WILLIAM A. PALMER, EMILY M. A. CAVETT, JOHN W. PALMER, HENRY O. PALMER, MARY R. A. PALMER, ELIZABETH C. PALMER, AMANDA M. F. PALMER, VIRGINIA PALMER, TENNESSEE PALMER and EDWARD H. PALMER. 

Item 7th, It is my wish that JOHN W. PALMER shall act and as executor of my estate and it is further my wish that the court do not demand and bond and security from the said JOHN W. PALMER for the same.  It is further my wish that JOHN W. PALMER my executor should sell all my lands either publicly or privately on a credit of one, two and (page 197) three years and all my perishable property and household furniture to be sold at public sale on a twelve months credit. 

Item 8th - It is my wish that LEONARD S. LANGLEY shall take care of my daughter MARY R. A. PALMER and act as guardian for her, also for PAUL PALMER to take my daughter ELIZABETH C. PALMER and act as guardian for her. 

And I the said SMITH PALMER do hereby utterly disallow revoke and annul all and every other former testament and will legacies, bequests and executors by me in anywise before named willed and bequeathed rectifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my and soul this sixth day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine. 

SMITH  PALMER (seal) 

Pronounced 
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said 
SMITH PALMER as his last will and testament in 
the presence of us who in his presence of each other 
have herewith subscribed our names. 
GEORGE W. McWHORTER 
HIRAM JONES 
JAMES BRANN 
 

STATE OF TENNESSEE ) 
WEAKLEY COUNTY ) April term 1840. 

This was the execution of the foregoing last will and testament of SMITH PALMER proven in open court by the oaths of GEO. W. McWHORTER, HIRAM JONES and JAMES BRANN subscribing witnesses thereunto and ordered to be recorded. 
JNO. C. DODDS, JR., Clk. 
 

(page 198) 
STATE OF TENNESSEE 
WEAKLEY COUNTY 

To JOHN W. PALMER, a Citizen of Weakley County 

It appearing to the court that SMITH PALMER died leaving a written will in which you are appointed executor which has been only proved in open court and you being qualified according to law and it having been ordered by said court that letters testimintary issue to you. 

These are therefore to empower you to enter upon the execution of said will and take unto your possession all the property and to make to the next court a perfect inventory thereof and make due collection of all debts and after paying all just demands against the testator and settling up the business of said estate agreeable to law you will pay over and deliver the property and effects that may remain in your hands and do all other things that may be required according to the provisions of said will and the laws of the land. 

Given under my hand at office this 7th day of April 1840. 

Fees 50 cents J. C. DODDS, Clk. 

Typed & Submitted by Sandy Thompson Mattox 

Taken from: 
 Historical Records Project - Official Project #465-44-3-115 
 copied under Works Project Administration 
 November 25,1938