____________________________________________________________________________ I, John Dickson of the County of Pike in the State of Arkansas being of sound and deposing mind and memory do hereby make, publish and declare this my last Will and Testament. I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my daughter Priscilla Kelley wife of Elijah Kelley Jr. a negro boy named Allen, aged at present about Seven years a slave for life, to have and to hold unto her, her heirs and assigns forever. I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my daughter Lydia Dickson a certain negro girl named Susan, aged at present about ten years a slave for life, together with my whole household and kitchen furniture of every name, nature and description whatsoever, to have and to hold the same unto her, her heirs and assigns forever. I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my daughter Larrissa Fenter wife of Christopher Fenter a certain negro girl slave for life named Sarah, aged at present about four years, to have and to hold unto her, her heirs and assigns forever. I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my son Beverly R. Dickson a certain negro boy named Jeff, aged at present about twelve years a slave for life, to have and to hold unto him, his heirs and assigns forever. I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my grandchildren, Lucind(a) Dickson and John M. Dickson the sum of four hundred dollars to be divided equally between them upon their marriage or arrival at full age and in the event of the death of my said grandchildren before that time, then the sum hereby intended for them to revert to my estate and be equally divided between my daughters herein before named. I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my son Clement Dickson the sum of two thousand dollars to be paid to him out of the proceeds of my estate within two years after my death. And the whole and entire remainder of my estate of every name, nature and description whatsoever, both real, personal and mixed I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my said daughters Priscilla, Lydia and Larrissa and my son Beverly R. Dickson to be equally divided between them, share and share alike, if they can divide the same equally, justly and satisfactorily between them &c., and if the same can not be so mutually and equally divided by and between them, it is my will and desire that the same be sold, in the premises, at public auction to the highest and last bidder, before a credit of me to (?) bearing ten per cent interest from the day of sale until paid, and that the proceeds (of) said sale when realized, be equally divided between my said son and said daughters herein before named as heirs of the residue of my said estate. I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my son Beverly R. Dickson, Executor of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof, I have hereto set my hand and seal in the presence of William J. Kelley, William H. Preston & Grandison D. Royston subscribing witnesses, hereto (and) at my request and (?) sign(ed) their names as such in my presence and in the presence of each other, at my request on this the 8th September 1859. John Dickson (Seal) Witnesses: Wm. J. Kelley W.H. Preston Grandison D. Royston ____________________________________________________________________________ Orignial instrument, Rita Arnold, Nashville, Arkansas. ____________________________________________________________________________ HTML file and design by David Kelley, 1997. All rights reserved.