Will of William Spencer Duncan

Will of William Spencer Duncan, Sr.

Submitted by David Duncan


I, William Duncan, of Wilson County and State of Tennessee, being of sound and disposing mind, do make and publish this my last will and testament; hereby making void all other wills by me at any time made.

First, I direct that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be paid as soon after my death as possible, out of any money that having dispossessed of, or may come into the hands of my executor. And I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Nancy Duncan, all my real and personal property, after paying my just debts, for her use and benefit during her natural life. And after her death, I will that all negro slaves that may then belong to my estate be equally divided between my three daughters, Sarah J. Powell and Harriet Hagan and Isabella Hagan, for their use and benefit during their lives, and at their death, to the heirs of their body. And it is my will that the property I will to my daughter, Harriet M. Hagan, be put into the hands of my grandson, James Hagan, for his use and benefit; and that which I will to my daughter Isabella Hagan into the hands of my son-in-law, William Powell, for his use and benefit during his life. I will that, after the death of my wife, Nancy Duncan, that all my land and all my other property of every description be sold and the proceeds thereof, with any money, if any, that may be on hand after paying any just debts, be equally divided between my son, George Duncan, he having one-third 1/3, and the heirs of my son, William S. Duncan, Jr., they having one-third, and the heirs of my daughter, Martha Ann Page, one third. It is my wish that my three orphan grand-daughters, Merica Page, Lavisa Page and Ann Page, continue to live with my wife, their grandmother, as they must do except they should marry. It is my will that any of my children or grandchildren should attempt to make void, break, or in any way make void this my last will and testament, that they forfeit all their interest to my estate and their share equally divided by my other heirs.

I appoint my son-in-law, William Powell, executor to this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I set my hand and seal this June 19th, 1863.

(signed) William S. Duncan

Signed and sealed in the presence of the testators and presence of each other.

(signed) B. T. Bell
  
          J. C. Terry

Recorded 20 April, 1864

 

William S. Duncan, Sr., was born ca 1794 in Buckingham VA. to Fleming Willis Duncan Sr. and Martha Scruggs who brought their family to Middle TN shortly after 1800. He was raised in Smith and Sumner Counties. He married Nancy Scott, daughter of Moses and Sarah Scott, ca 1816 in Smith Co. TN. They later moved to Wilson Co. near Watertown and completed a family of eight children. His grandfather , George Duncan, served in the Revolutionary War. He fought in the War of 1812. One son and three grandsons served the South in the Civil War.


Copyright 2000, David R. Duncan
All Rights Reserved