Last Will and Testament
Richard Drewry (1762 - 1850)
Nashville, Tn.

In the name of God Amen, I, Richard Drewry, of the County of Weakley, and State of Tennessee, being solemnly imperfect with the destiny of mortals, do make and publish this, my last will and testament in the manner following:
First I bequeath unto my beloved wife Jemima Drewry all the right, titles and interest which I hold to a small tract or parcel of land, lying on the waters of Mill Creek in Davidson County. It being a portion of the land on which she formally lived. It is also my desire, that out of my estate she, my said companion, be furnished with a good and gentle horse, with suitable saddle and bridle, one bed and furniture, and one good trunk or chest, which I give to her heirs and assigns forever, and whatever legal right I may have had to a negro woman, that was reared in my family by the name of Chloe, be it known that the same has long since been relinquished, the right to her and her increase is hereby conferred to my said wife Jemima Drewry for her to dispose of at her own discretion.
Second I bequeath to my grandson, John J. Drewry, a certain lot of table furniture made of silver, consisting of one large ladle, one set of table spoons of common size, one set of smaller size, and one set of tea spoons, a part of them branded with the letter J.D. and a part with J.N.D. which I give to him, his heirs and assigns forever.
Third I bequeath to Mary Ann Charlton, the new bed and furniture on which she commonly sleeps, which I give to her, her heirs and assigns forever.
Fourth My will and desire is, that the tract of land on which I now live, containing 596 acres be divided by a line from North running due South, so as to have an equal number of acres on each side. That part lying East of said line, including the improvements which I have made thereon, together with my woman servant named Lacy, and my man servant Jack named, my big gray mule and white mare, wagon and two yoke of oxen, three cows and calves, three sows and pigs, six sheep, my whole flock of fowles of different kinds, one half of my farming utensils, half of my household and kitchen furniture which has not been above named, also half the crop of land, all of which I lend unto my beloved wife her natural life, and at her death the land and improvements as loaned to her, be and remain in the possession of my son John Drewry, as a loan during his natural life and at his death, to be equally divided among the surviving sons of him, the said John, which gives to them, their respective heirs and assigns forever. That part of my tract lying West of said dividing line, including the improvements which my son Richardson Clark Drewry has made thereon, also certain property of different kinds, that formerly belonged to him, which I purchased at public sale on said premises, having the same with him as a loan for the benefit of his family, my desire is that it so remain with him. Both land and above named other property, that both remain as a loan during his natural life, and at this death, that the land be equally divided between his surviving sons of him, the said Richardson Clark, which I give to each of them, their respective heirs and assigns forever.
Fifth My will and desire is that a certain improved lot, which I possess in the town of Nashville of Davidson County together with one half of an undivided lot of ground, lying near to where the State House (State Capitol) is now building. Also a small tract of land in Davidson County, on the waters of the Harpeth, that each and all of them be sold on a credit for twelve months, and that one half of the amount thereof be equally divided among the surviving sons and daughters of my daughter Nancy Murry Elam, and the other half equally divided between the like offspring of my daughter Mary Murry Wilson, which I give to each of them, their respective heirs and assigns forever.
Sixth My will and desire is, that the remaining part of my livestock of every kind, the remainder of farming utensils, household and kitchen furniture, and crops be sold, and whatever debts I may owe, be paid out of the amount, and whatever may remain, be loaned on interest well secured.
Seventh My will and desire is, that the balance of my servants, Viz. Bradock, Molly, Arthur, Green, Vincy and her six children, Viz. Adam, Caroline, Jimmy, James, Henry and Anarchy, be disposed of to the best advantage, that the profits arising from the hire of the more valuable may be used as far as may be necessary toward the helpless, and the net amount arising therefrom be loaned on interest well secured, and that they in like manner be disposed of yearly during the natural life of my beloved wife Jemima Drewry, and at her death, that Lacy and Jack be numbered with the above named servants, and whatever may remain of the livestock of different kinds, loaned to her during life, also wagon and team, the remainder of farming utensils, household and kitchen furniture, and all and every other article or thing to me belonging of what kinds ever and wheresoever found, be sold and the valuation of the whole number of servants be ascertained, which may be done either by appraisement or sale, and the whole amount of their valuation with the amount of their yearly hire together. With that amount divided among my grand-children as follows. Viz. one fourth part to be equally divided among the surviving sons and daughters of my son John Drewry, one fourth part divided among the surviving sons and daughters of my son Richardson Clark Drewry, one fourth part divided among the surviving sons and daughters of my daughter Nancy Murry Elam, and the remaining fourth part, to be divided among the like offspring of my daughter Mary Murry Wilson, which I give to each of them, their respective heirs and assigns forever.
Lastly I appoint my two grandsons, John J. Drewry and James Monroe Drewry executors to this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made, in witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal, this 25th of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eighteen hundred and fourty five.

Richard Drewry