Will of John Donnell, Sr.
Proven Oct Term 1882
Madison Co., Probate, Roll 528, 1862-1894, p. 315-316
In the name of God Amen, I John Donnell Sr. of the County of Madison State of Tennessee being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of the frail life do therefore make ordain publish and declare this to be my last will and testament that is to say that after all my lawful debts are paid and discharge the residue of my estate real and personal I give bequeath and dispose of as follows, to wit to my grand son William Justice I give five hundred dollars. To my children I give my graveyard for a Burying place and two acres of land around it. To my Son John Donnell I give twenty acres of land and appurtenances being and bound as follows, beginning at the South East Corner of my five hundred acre tract of land on which I now live running thence north 160 poles thence west 20 poles to the beginning. To my Son Washington I give and bequeath all my five hundred acre tract and appurtenances on which I now live on except what I have disposed of above. To my sons and daughters now living I give my beds bed covers and books, share and share alike. All the rest residue and remainder of my real and personal estate is to be sold the proceeds of the sale thereof and the money I have in notes or on hand and money that is deposited for safe keeping I give to my 5 five sons and two daughters, that is alive at this time share and share alike (the money that I have disposed of above and money that will be necessary to pay all expenses and fees in settling my estate is excepted)
Likewise I make constitute and appoint my two Sons John Donnell and Washington Donnell executors of this my last will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills made by me. In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this 12 day of April 1870.
Witness
R. M. Mason John Donnell, Sr. {seal}
L. Day
I hereby expressly confirm my former will dated April 12-1870. This codicil added to my last will is to explain as I omitted to say anything about the gifts or advancements to my children in my lifetime. Viz. to my son Samuel L. Donnell I gave ($820.00) eight hundred & twenty dollars. To Reuben, Adam, & John I gave land, To my daughters Elizabeth-Jane and Levina I gave Negroes, Thos gifts or advancements are not charged, and is not to be charged nor interest hereon, nor to account for them in any way whatever, Therefore they are not to affect my last will in anyway whatever, this April 16th 1873.
John Donnell, Sr. {seal}
Signed sealed and acknowledged
In our presence and we attest the
Same at the request of the testator
In his presence and in the presence
Of each other the day this codicil
Bears date.
Joseph D. Askew
L. Day