Record Book 15, page 156-158
In the name of God Amen, Whereas all men are born and once to die, I Cader Dement of the County of Rutherford and State of Tennessee, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, and of sound mind and memory, doth make and publish this my last will and testament, in manner and form as follow to wit. 1st I will my soul to the Almighty God through the merits of his dear Son Jesus Christ. 2nd that my body be decently buried. 3rd that all my just debts be paid, It is my will that my estate be equally divided into fourteen equal shares, lands and negroes, with the exception of one by the name of Moses who has been a faithful servant. Said Moses I leave under the care of James A. Tarpley, and not to be Sold nor divided with the other negroes. One share for the maintenance of my dear beloved wife Franky Dement whom is deranged in her mind, said share I wish to be deposited in the hand of Warren Moore to let her have it as her need may require, and if there remains any part of her share at her death it to be divided with all of the legatees. I also appoint Warren Moore Guardian for my beloved with Franky Dement, it is my will whereas my son James Dement departed this life and left no heirs, it is my request that all his just debts be paid out of his share, and the balance of said share to be divided with the legatees as named. One share to be divided into 3 parts that is to Say Polly Dement, Abraham S. Dement’s widow and her 2 children Lesenby N Dement, Agnes S. Lawrence her daughter. One share to be divided into 3 parts that is to Say William Dement and James Dement and Mary Alsup’s child if it lives, Edward T. Dements children, if said child dies its part to be divided with William Dement and James Dement, Edward T. Dement’s two sons. One share to be divided into 3 parts that is to say Catharine Dement, Allen Dement’s widow and her 2 children Martha Angeline Dement and Marteney Dement. One share to George W. Dement’s widow and his children, that he had by his wife Nancy Dement. One share to James A. Tarpley and his children. One share to John Dement. One share to Charles Dement. I will one share to John Jones for the express use of my daughter Elizabeth Fuller and to the heirs of her natural body. I will fifty dollars to James Fuller. One share to Joseph A Dement, one share to Wilson Y. Dement, one share to David H. Dement, one share to James A. Harrison and his wife Susan C. Harrison. Be it understood what each legatee has received heretofore it is to be reduced out of their part. Abraham S. Dement has received three hundred and eighty two dollars of his part, Edward T. Dement has received one hundred and sixty nine dollars of his part, Allen Dement has received two hundred and thirty eight dollars of his part, James A Tarpley and his wife Charlotte has received six hundred and fifty dollars including one negro woman and her children by the name of Amey that they received at 10 years old of their part, George W. Dement has received six hundred and fifty eight dollars of his part, John Dement has received five hundred and ten dollars of his part, Charles Dement has received five hundred and sixteen dollars of his part, James Fuller and his wife has received one hundred and sixty nine dollars of their part. I will and bequeath to John Jones on negro woman and her child by the name of Jane and the child by the name of Suckey, for the express use and benefit of my daughter Elizabeth Fuller and the heirs of her natural body, which will be six hundred dollars of their part including what she has received heretofore. James A. Harrison and his wife Susan C. Harrison has received five hundred and fifty dollars of their part including one negro girl by the name of Silva. Wilson Y. Dement has received one hundred and seven dollars of his part. Joseph A. Dement has received two hundred and fifty six dollars of his part. David H. Dement has received thirty eight dollars of his part. I appoint John L. Jetton and Warren Moore and to E. Allen my true and lawful Executors of this my last will and testament revoking all and every other will made by me heretofore. In witnesseth whereof, I let my hand and fix my seal this 24th day of January 1848. N? ???? I will one hundred dollars for the maintenance of Moses to be free if he should live. Where I have said land and negroes I will all property real and personal to be sold as the law directs in all estates.
Cader Dement.
Test. Wm. H. Smith
William Reeves
J.A. Reeves.