Will of Thomas Reed, Jr.

Will of Thomas Reed
1796-1865

The Last Will and Testament of Thomas Reed
of Giles County and State of Tennessee


I Thomas Reed being of sound mind and memory do make ordain and publish this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all other wills made by me at any time heretofore.

1st I have given to my son John P.C. Reed 2 beds and furniture and horse Bridle & Saddle and one cow and calf.

2nd I have given to my daughter Elizabeth Gilbert wife of Cary Gilbert 2 beds and furniture one horse Bridle and Saddle one cow and calf. I have also advanced to my Daughter Elizabeth Gilbert 80 acres of land valued at Eight hundred dollars.

3rd I have given to my son William W. Reed one horse Bridle and Saddle and 2 beds and furniture and one cow and calf and also one tract of land where he now resides and apart of the Tucker tract of land and 30 acres of the Ezell tract valued at Two thousand dollars.

4th I have given to my son Andrew J. Reed one horse Bridle and Saddle and 2 beds and furniture and one cow and calf.

5th I have given to my Daughter Amy Gilbert Wife of Thomas H. Gilbert One horse Bridle and Saddle 2 beds and furniture and one cow and calf.

6th I have given to my Daughter Frances Atkinson widow of John G. Atkinson One horse Bridle and Saddle and 2 beds and furniture and one cow and calf.

7th I have given to my Grandson William M. Reed son of my deceased son Samuel C. Reed one horse bridle and Saddle and 2 beds and furniture and one cow and calf.

8th I have given also to my son John P.C. Reed the tract of land that he now resides upon valued at Twenty five hundred dollars.

9th I have also given to my son Andrew J. Reed my home tract of land valued at Twenty five hundred dollars which I am to have my support off of the income of the Plantation.

10th I have given to my deceased son Samuel C. Reed one tract of land which has descended to his son William M Reed which is valued at Twenty five hundred dollars.

11th I Will and bequeath that my son William W. Reed have five hundred dollars more to make him equal to and with any other sons.

12th I will and bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth Gilbert Seventeen hundred dollars bearing interest from the date of this will which I consider will make her equal to the other children.

13th I will and bequeath to my Daughter Amy Gilbert wife of Thomas H. Gilbert Twenty five hundred dollars bearing interest from the date of this will which I consider will make her equal to the other children.

14th I will and bequeath to my Daughter Frances Atkinson widow of John G. Atkinson deceased one hundred acres of land laying upon Elk River being apart of the Abel Ezell tract of land and the Said Frances Atkinson is to have forty acres of the cleared land this year rent free and after this Frances Atkinson is to have possession of the whole. And I give and bequeath to my Daughter Frances Atkinson one hundred acres more of land lying west of her residence it being apart of the land formerly owned by Abel Ezell deceased making in all Two hundred acres for her separate use and benefit valued at Twenty five hundred dollars.

15th I will and bequeath that my son A.J. Reed have and cultivate the balance of the land in the Ezell Bottom that Frances Atkinson does not cultivate for this year rent and the balance of the land that AJ Reed cultivated last year or that he may cultivate this year. He is not to pay rent for as I will him that much for attending to my business for several years past and I also will that none of my children or grandchildren shall pay board for living with me.

16th I will and bequeath that after my just debts is paid and funeral expense paid that the Residue and balance of my Estate be equally divided between my children Share and Share Alike.

17th Likewise I nominate and appoint my sons Andrew J. Reed and John P.C. Reed my Executors to this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made in witness where of I have here unto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this the 12th day of February 1866.

Signed: Thomas Reed



A Codicil to the Last Will and Testament of Thomas Reed


1st In the 13th clause of my will I give to my daughter Amy Gilbert the sum of Twenty five hundred dollars bearing interest from the date of the will. Now I hereby revoke said bequest and do hereby give my said Daughter Amy Gilbert my two tracts of land containing about 233 acres and known as the John L. Nelson and Frank Erwin tract _______ and I have made to my Daughter Amy Gilbert a deed to said land and I value this said land at Twenty five hundred dollars.

2nd In the 14th clause of my will I gave to my Daughter Frances Atkinson 200 acres of land and since the making of said will I have made my said Daughter a deed to said land.

3rd. Since the making of my said will I have made my Son Andrew J. Reed a deed to the home tract of land named in the 9th clause of said will and by these______ I hereby ratify the deed made by me to my Daughter Amy Gilbert and Frances Atkinson (now Campbell) and my son Andrew J. Reed.

4th I have given to my children all my lands excepting ________________________ Elk River adjoining the Deaver place and it is my will and desire that at my death that my son Andrew J. Reed may have the privilege of taking said piece of land by him paying to my Estate the sum of Twenty five dollars per acre for the same and in the event that my son Andrew J. Reed fails or refuses to take said tract of land at the valuation named, then I wish my Executor to sell said land to the highest bidder and the proceeds to be subject to the 16th clause of my said will.

In Testimony whereof I have here unto set my name and affixed my seal this the 5th day of December 1868.

Signed: Thomas Reed

Witness: William S. Ezell
Henry W. Stanley


Note: See the will of Thomas Reed, the father.


Submitted by Jane Gilbert