You can obtain a copy of the will from the Sumner County Archives.
Note: My copy is very faded and difficult to read.
In the name of God Amen:
I Joseph Townsend of the County of Sumner in the State of Tennessee being weak in body, but of
sound mind and perfect mind and memory . . . to my beloved wife Mary Townsend the whole of
the tract of land and plantation that I now live on . . . my negro boy Booker until my youngest
child arrives at twenty one years of age. And at that I _ the said negroes with their issue the
household and kitchen furniture and farming tools be equally divided between my wife Mary
Townsend and all my children . . . It is my will that all my children shall live with my wife Mary
Townsend on the farm until they arrive to lawful age . . . to my son Henry Townsend my negro
boy Randal, I also give and bequeath unto my son Joseph Townsend my negro boy Peter. I also
give and bequeath unto my son Peter Townsend my negro boy Stewart (sp?). I also give and
bequeath unto my son Washington Townsend my negro boy Jeffrey. I also give and bequeath unto
my daughter Sarah Townsend my negro girl Fanny. I also give and bequeath unto my daughter
Jane Townsend my negro girl Hester. I also give and bequeath to unto my daughter Lucy
Townsend my negro girl Linda (Sinda?). And I also give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary
Ann Townsend my negro girl Melissa . . . when my youngest child arrives at lawful age shall
return to my heirs equally except my son John Townsend and he shall have no part thereof . . . I
also give and bequeath unto my son John Townsend one dollar to be paid him when my youngest
child arrives to lawful age. I do hereby appoint my son John Townsend sole executor of this last
will and testament revoking all former will or wills by me made . . .
Joseph
his
X
mark
Townsend
Signed, sealed acknowledged in the presence of us
H. Hall
John Sneed