John Slaughter wrote his will in Madison Co Miss Ter. and died shortly thereafter. In the will stated that he had already provided a legacy to his four oldest children. And, he speaks of two boys and Betey being under age. This leads to the belief that there was indeed two groups of children by two different mothers. Additionally, he made provisions for wife Sarah to use the estate for her maintenance in her widowhood. On 3/13/1824 Sarah relinquished her dower right so that the three youngest boys could sell their lands from John's estate. From this we know that Sarah was not remarried before 3/1824. Did she migrate in the company of her children to Tennessee? Her fate is unknown.
Will of John Slaughter, 25 July 1812, Madison County, Mississippi Territory:
I, John Slaughter in sound mind and perfect recollection doth make this my last will and testament-revoking all others. In the name of Almighty God, amen. Madison County (MT) July the 25th 1812.
Item: I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah all my household and kitchen furniture during her natural life except some five articles hereafter described--
Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Betey Slaughter one bed and furniture, one [cow] and calf, one pot, four pewter plates, four tin cups, four knives and forks, one tumbler and one small bowl, also twenty-five dollars in cash when collected for the estate--
Item: It is my will and desire at the death of my wife that the household and kitchen furniture given her during her lifetime shall be equally divided between my three children viz. Betey Slaughter, John Slaughter, and Samuel Slaughter--
Item: I give and bequeath to my son John Slaughter one sorrel mare four years, the said mare is not to be traded in any way until John Slaughter come to the age of 20 years--
Item: It is my will and desire that all my stock of hogs be reserved for the use of my wife and children living with her, also the crop that may be on hand--
Item: It is my will and desire that all my property not heretofore bequeathed viz. . .all my stock of horses and cows, farming tools and etc. be sold at two years credit and the money to be lodged in the hands of Charles Burrus; also all the money that is due me or may be coming to the estate after my just debts are paid to be lodged in the hand of the said Burrus. Which money all except I hereafter bequeath is to be laid out in the following manner viz. in land to the best advantage which land to be equally divided between my three sons James Slaughter, John Slaughter, Samuel Slaughter. And if said Burrus should not lay out the money in land, it is my wish that he pays it to the boys as they become of the age of twenty years. It is also my wish that the younger boys shall have common schooling out of the general stock of money coming to the estate. I also wish that my wife Sarah shall be maintained out of John Slaughter's, Samuel Slaughter's and James Slaughter's parts of the estate; and if land is procured for them, either of these places should be a home for her during her life or widowhood; and my wife Sarah shall at any time be dissatisfied to live with any of her sons, in that case, she is entitled to draw one fourth part of their estates to be hers for her maintenance during her life or widowhood; and at her death or marriage , the property to revert to the proper owners.
Item: I give and bequeath to my son William Slaughter three dollars in cash to be paid out of my estate when collected. My reason for this is I have given him his legacy heretofore--
Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Phiby Slaughter, now Phiby Ball, three dollars in cash to be paid out of my estate when collected. My reason for this is I have given him his legacy heretofore--
Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Polly Slaughter, now Polly Wilkerson, three dollars in cash to be paid out of my estate when collected. My reason for this is I have given him his legacy heretofore--
Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy Slaughter, now Nancy McClusky, three dollars in cash to be paid out of my estate when collected. My reason for this is I have given him his legacy heretofore--
I do appoint Charles Burrus, James Slaughter and George A. Lowe my Executors--
[Signed] X (his mark)Assigned and delivered in the presence of Charles Burrus, David Thompson, Moses Spar, James Matthews
I do certify that the above will was proven in open court by the oath of the subscribing witnesses hereunto in November Term 1812 and ordered to be recorded by me.
W.H. Winston Clerk of Court, M.C.C. M.T.