Please note that since this post was published, I have discovered that Robert Shaw is not, in fact, my ancestor. However, I have left the post online for anyone else who may find it to be useful to their research.
I Robert Shaw of Sumner County and of Tennessee do make and ordain this instrument which is subscribed with my name to be my last will and testament revoking all others.
First all my debts are to be punctually paid and the legacies here in after bequeathed and to be discharged as soon as circumstances will permit and in the manner directed.
Item, to my dearly beloved wife Elizabeth Shaw I give and bequeath the plantation where on I now live, the negroes, stock farming utensils, and household and kitchen furniture during the term of her natural life. On the death of my wife should my son William survive her the plantation is to belong to him and he pay unto my eldest son Thomas Shaw three hundred and twenty five dollars.
I also bequeath to my son William Shaw on the death of his Mother four negroes to wit, a boy named Randol, Lize and her two children Mary Ann and Harriett.
Item, to my daughter Sarah Stewart I give and bequeath a negro girl named Jenny.
Item, to my daughters Jenny Patterson, Susanna Reed, Elizabeth Davis, and Ann Shaw, I give and bequeath two negroes, to wit Ben and Dina. Should they not agree about the division of them in that case they are to be sold and the money equally divided among them.
It is to be distinctly understood that at the death of my wife my son William is to have hogs and sheep, farming utensils, household and kitchen furniture, and every other thing attached to the plantation except my wife’s saddles which she is to [blank] the negro before mentioned.
Lastly, I constitute and appoint my son William Shaw and Daniel Lattimer executors of this my last will and testament. In testimony of all and each of the things here in contained, I have set my hand and seal this seventh day of July in the year eighteen hundred and twenty three..
Robert Shaw (seal)
In presence of John Armfield, Owen White, Richard Martin.
Proved in Sumner County Court February term 1831.
Sumner County Will Book Vol II, 1823-1842. Works Progress Administration transcription dated 1956 at Family Search.
A Long Way to Tennessee 