(spelling was as follows)
The last Will and Testament of the undersigned this nineth day of November 1836, being
in health and perfict soundness of mind and in view of the uncertainty of life, I have
thought proper to dispose of my property in the following manner viz.
I give unto my daar wife Nancy DOBBINS the benefit of the tract of land on which I live with all its endowments also the benefit of the timber of my Schole lands also all my black people viz Edmond, Rodd, Peter, Jane and Mitchel, also all my stock of deferent kinds, my waggon and farming tools, household and kitchen furniture clock & all which she is to hold during life, the stock she is to use and dispose of at her pleasure while she live. Rodd and Jane and their offspring if any and Mitchell she is to dispose of at her pleasure at her death and also the household furniture.
I give to my daughter Mary McMURRY, one black horse, four head of cattol, eight head of hogs, some sheep, two beds and furniture, some cupboards and kitchen furniture.
I give to my son Henry DOBBINS and equal share of one hundred and ninety acres of land more or less, which I give to my four oldest sons, viz. Henry, Jas. A., Wm. N. and Thomas C. DOBBINS which land said Henry DOBBINS bought from his three brothers above named, it being part of the tract of land I live on taken of the west end of tract, also one bay mare, five head of cattle, a stock of hogs and sheep, one bed and furniture.
I give to my son William N. DOBBINS, an equal share of the above mentioned tract of land lying in the western district, belonging to Jas. A. deceased to balance against and equal share of stock and bedding.
I give to my son, Thos. C. DOBBINS, an equal share of the above named tract of land, and bay mare, six head of cattle, a stock of hogs and sheep, two beds and furniture, Beuro and one table, and after the death of his mother, he is to have Peter.
I give to my son Samuel DOBBINS in place of land _____ horse and one hundred dollars in cash, also one hundred and eighty in money, and one bay filly. For his neighbor four years after he was of age, to him paid, also one hundred dollars, out of my estate when it is arranged as a compensation for his part of his brother James estate. also a good divide of higs, five head of cattle and some sheep, one bed and furniture.
I give to my son Robert D. DOBBINS, sixty acres of land, more or less, the land on which he lives, beginning on a piece oak standing in the lane running west of North through the laine continuing on the direction to the creek, thence upon to Henry DOBBINS corner, thence a south direction unto said Henry line, to the old original line, Surveyors South boundary line, thence from the beginning south of west along the land to a shugar tree, on the edge of Spring branch thence nearly South to a white oak near the west end of the School house, thence running on the same degree of the line between him and said Henry to the old original South boundary line thence west along the old line to a stake Henry DOBBINS corner.
At the death of his mother he Robert D. is to have all my tract west of the creek as a
compensation for the care he is to take of his mother. Also the balance of the tract is to be
valued by three or five men and Robert D. is to have the refusal of it. I also give him
Robert D. one gray mare, a stock cattle, hogs and sheep after the above is settled. My
School land and all my other property is to be divided into equal lots accordings to the
number of my heirs. Buttleted for. Given under my hand and seal the day and date above
written.
John DOBBINS (seal)
Duly Acknowledged in presents of --
Alexander B. DOBBINS
Robert DOBBINS
State of Tennessee Sumner County Couert February Term 1839
A paper writting perporting to be the last will and Testament of John DOBBINS was
produced in open court by Robert D. DOBBINS and thereupon Robert DOBBINS and
Alexander B. DOBBINS Subscribing witnesses thereto after being duly qualified make the
following statement - Robert DOBBINS being first sworn states as folows, that John
DOBBINS the Testator came to the house of witness early in the fall of 1836 and stated
that he wished him to sign a paper, which he produced as a witness which paper he did
sign at the request of John DOBBINS and that the same paper which he signed he believes
to be the paper now produced in court purporting to be the last will and testament of John
DOBBINS. Alexander B. DOBBINS the other subscribing witness after being duly sworn
states as follows, that John DOBBINS came to the house of witness in the fall of 1836,
and stated that he wished him to subscribe his name to a paper which he produced which
witness did so at the request of sd. John DOBBINS Testator and that the paper signed as
a witness he believes to be the same which is now produced which is the last will and
Testament of John DOBBINS deceased. It is thereupon considered upon the court that
the said paper writing produced as aforesaid is the last Will and Testament of John
DOBBINS deceased which is ordered to be recorded.
Thos. DONOHO
Clerk of Sumner County Court.