| Notes |
- Sometime between November 1, 1856 (when Abner signed his last will and testament), and April 6, 1857 (when the will was probated), Abner Alexander died at age 78. Abner's wife Margaret was 67 years old at the time of her husband's death, and probably stayed in the area with her son James Alexander. In 1931, Abner Alexander's great grand-daughter (Mrs. Bessie Alexander Rasmussen of Houston, Texas) hired Edythe Whitley, genealogist, to trace her ancestry back to Revolutionary War patriot Ezekial Alexander so that she could join the Daughters of the American Revolution. In the material Mrs. Whitley turned over to the DAR Library, she describes the location of Abner Alexander's grave 75 years after Abner's death: "Mr. Northout's mother lives on part of the Abner Alexander land in the first district of Cannon County, near Porterfield in the Lock's Creek section, and is a descendant of this family through Abner's son. Mrs. Northout is a woman of years as her son told me he was 47 years old. He says he knows that Abner is buried in the Alexander graveyard on his mother's farm but that there is not a stone at his grave".
Last will and testament of Abner Alexander, Cannon County, Tennessee:
I, Abner Alexander, make and publish this as my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me at any time made.
1st- I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debts be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any money that I may die possesed of or may first come into the hands of my Executor.
2nd- I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Margaritt Alexander my negro girl Rachel and my negro boy named Nathan. Also she is to have her choice of my stock of useing horses one Colt one or two years old making two head of horses. Also one waggon + gear and also my farming tools, household and kitching furniture or so much of those as She may need to keep. Also two Cows and calfses, six head of Sheep, two Sows and also one years provision out of my Corn wheat pork or bacon and a sufficiency of groceries for her use one year. Also my wife is to have the home place on which I now reside. Also she is to have the (Or)chards Land on the East end of the tract and wood and timber. For use the above property I give to my wife during her natural life or widowhood at her death or marriage it is my will that the above named negroes and all thare Increase if any and all the personally property be Sold and the proceeds applied as hereinafter directed.
3rd- I give and bequeath to my wife a negro Child named Bill forever to do as She pleases with.
4th- I give and bequeath to my sons Ezekiel Alexander and James H Alexander all my Land divided by me: Beginning on a rock in WC Donnoll line North thirteen degrees west ninety two poles to an elum thense north fifty degrees west sixty two and one half poles to a rock RW Pattersons Corner. I, Abner Alexander, each half of my Land divided by the division line given above at Seventeen hundred and fifty Dollars and my Son Ezekiel Alexander have the west and my Son James H. Alexander have the east and my Son Ezekiel Alexander to take full possession of his portion at my death. My Son James is not to take possession of his part of the land until the death of my wife Margaritt or her marriage after my death at which time he is to take full and ample possession.
4th- It is my will that all my property that has not been disposed of to be sold at my death and the proceeds to be applided to make all my children equal (viz) John McKnite Alexander, Katherine L Dickson, Marke Alexander, and Esther A Leach, Ezekiel Alexander and James H Alexander. The property given to my wife is to be sold at her death or marriage and applied as above directed. In Case the perishable property does not make John McKnite Alexander, Katherine L Dickson, Mark Alexander, and Esther A Leach equal to the amount of Seventeen hundred and fifty Dollars, my Sons Ezekiel and James pay over to them in two years enough equally to this all equal to the amount of Seventeen hundred and fifty Dollars.
5th- I give and bequeath to my wife one hundred and twenty Five Dollars forever.
6th- I give and bequeath unto my Son James H Alexander one bed and furniture, two Cows and one Sow if any on hands.
Lastly- I do hereby nominate and appoint my Son Ezekiel Alexander my Executor in witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this 1st November 1856. Abner Alexander (seal)
Signed, sealed and publish in our presants and we have set our names in presants of the Testator. SJ Odom, WC Donnoll
State of Tennessee, Cannon County- At the April term of the County Court AD 1857 then personally appeared before me SJ Odom + WC Donnell the Subscribing witnesses to the within will first being Sworn Depose and Say that they were acquainted with Abner Alexander the Testator in his lifetime and he acknowledged the same in there presants to be his last will and Testament on the day it Bore Date. Witness Brinkley Laster, Clerk of Said County Court at office this the 6th Day of April 1857. B Laster, Clerk
Registered the 14th day of April 1857. B Laster, Clerk
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1778 - 1857 (77 years)