body but sound in mind, thanks be to God, calling to mind the uncertain estate of this transitory
life and that flesh must yield to death when it shall please God to call, do make, constitute, ordain,
and declare that my last will and testament in manner and form following, revoking and disannulling
by these presents all wills heretofore by me made and declared either by word or writing and
this is to be taken only for my last will and testament and none other. And first being sorry for
my sins past most humbly desire forgiveness for the same. I give and commit my soul to God,
my savior and redeemer in who and by the merits of Christ Jesus I trust and hope to be saved
and to have full remission of all my sins and that my soul with my body at a general day of the
resurrection shall rise again with joy, and through the merits of Christ's death and passion possess
and inherit the kingdom of Heaven prepared for his elect and chosen; and my body to be laid in
such place where it shall please my executor hereafter named to appoint.
And, now, for the settling of my temporal estate and such goods, chattels and debts as it hath
pleased God far above my deserts to bestow on me, I do order, give and dispose of the same
in manner and form following, vis':
Item, I give and bequeath to my son John one Book, entitled "Boston's Fourfold State."
Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah one calico habit, a petticoat, apron, handkerchief
and cap;
Item, I give and bequeath to my son Aquilla one cow, two sheep, two books, one entitled,
"Everyman His Own Lawyer," the other "The Baptist Confession of Faith."
Item, I give and bequeath to my son Richard one cow and calf, two sheep, my big plough and one hoe;
Item, I give and bequeath to my son Joseph or heirs one dollar;
Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Senes one striped habit, a skirt, apron, handkerchief, cap,
necklace, and hurrsa;
Item, I give and bequeath to my son Tidence one spotted cow and one steer, two sheep, my old Bible
and Tesament;
Item, I give and bequeath to my son Tidence's wife, Mary, one featherbed and two sheets;
Item, I give and bequeath to my son Dutton one black three year old steer and book,
"Wilson on the Sacraments";
Item, I give and bequeath to my son Samuel all my land whereon I now live and also my negro man
Jack and my two horses and two featherbeds and furniture and my togs, together with all the rest of
my household furniture and utensils and all my iron tools of every kind not heretofore mentioned;
I do further constitute and ordain my beloved son Samuel my executor to see this my last will and
testament executed.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal.
Tidence Lane
Signed, sealed and done in the presence of Test. Caleb Witt, William Horner
(Source: "East Tennessee's Lore of Yesteryear" By: Emma Deane Smith Trent Published by
Same, Whitesburg, TN, 1987.)
*************************************
