Recorded October 24th, 1834 

In the name of God Amen - I, JOHN PARISH of the County of Weakley and State of Tennessee considering the uncertainty this mortal life and being of sound mind and memory blessed by God for the same.  Do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to wit: 

First - I give and bequeath to my beloved BEEDY PARISH during her natural life or widowhood, two hundred acres of land, it being part of the tract of land where I now live and fore negros, CHARLES, NELSON, AGGY and MOLLY my household and kitchen furniture my stock of horses, cattle and hogs.  My meaning is only for my wife to have a sufficient quantity of the above name stock as will suite her conveneacy and comfort also my farming tools. 

Item 2nd, I give and bequeath to my son, MATTHEW PARISH, the property that I have heretofore given him and no more. 

Item 3, I give and bequeath to my son HENDERSON PARISH one hundred acres of land where he now lives the west part of the track where I now live together with all the property that I have given him heretofore. 

Item 4, I give and bequeath to my son JOHN PARISH one hundred acres of land where he now lives the north part of my tract of land were I now live to him and his heirs and assigns forever with all the property that I have heretofore given him. 

Item 5, I give and bequeath to my son CHARLES PARISH the proceeds of sale of my stock provided the amount so raised from the sale of my surperlous property and stock should excede two hundred and twenty five dollars for the balance to be divided among my other children. 

Item 6, I give and bequeath to my youngest son, ISOM PARISH, two hundred acres of land at the death of my wife or if she should marry for the land to be his, his heirs and assigns forever also one horse and saddle one feather bed and necessary clothing one cow and calf when he arrives to twenty one years of age. 

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Item 7, I give and bequeath to my eldest daughter ELIZABETH one negro boy by the name of NED together with the property that I have heretofore given her to her and her heirs and assigns forever. 

Item 8, I give and bequeath to my daughter LIDDY a negro boy named MANSOR to her and her heirs and assigns forever also the property that I have heretofore given her. 

Item 9, I give and bequeath to my daughter MARY, now single, a negro girl by the name of SARAH one feather bed with usual clothing and one cow and calf to her and her heirs and assigns forever. 

Item 10, Give and bequeath to my daughter ELIZA a negro boy by the name of HEARDY one feather bed and clothing one cow and calf to her, her heirs and assigns forever. 

Item 11, As may be better understood my will is that part of my stock be sold and all my just debts be paid and the balance go to my son CHARLES as far as the amount as I have before stated. 

Therefore at the death of my wife that all the balance of my property that is left for the benefit of my wife be equally divided at the death of my wife in order that it may be better understood and my will further known that all the property that I have willed in support of my wife during her life, that at her death be sold and the money divided in the following manner: my three sons in order to make them equal for them to have one hundred and thirty seven dollars a peace that is my sons, HENDERSON, JOHN, and ISOM, also my two daughters, MARY and ELIZA to have one hundred and seventy-four dollars to be divided between them in the following manner.  MARY to have sixty two dollars and ELIZA to have one hundred and twelve dollars. 

My will is furthers that my son CHARLES PARISH may be equal with the rest of my children at the death of his mother.  I give him a sufficency to make up for hundred and fifty two dollars counting in ninety dollars which he has received from me and the amount which he may receive from the sale of stock as I have above directed. 

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Then the balance of my estate to be equally divided among all my children - and lastly I hereby appoint my son HENDERSON
PARISH and my friend and my son CHARLES PARISH my executors to this my last will and testament and hereby revoking all former wills by me made.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the 19th day of June in the year of
the Lord, 1854 

JOHN PARISH (seal) 

Signed, sealed, published and declared ) 
by the above name JOHN PARISH to be ) 
his last will and testament in the       ) Interlined before signed  presence of us all who have hereunto ) at the word seventy and We. subcribed our names as witnesses in the  ) 
presence of the testator.             ) 

Test. 
BENJAMIN BARHAM 
HATWELL PARRISH 
 

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