Sensing his imminent death, Adam Snider wrote a will on January 8, 1859. He died soon after -- the will was proven in the February term of court in 1859.
This copy of the will was created by the clerk of court – it is in a bound volume along with other wills and related documents.
Adam mentioned his wife and all ten of his children; he listed his sons by birth order! This is rare and wonderful! Typically for Southern states, Tennessee did not require birth or death certificates until the early 20th century, so finding proof of parentage is a challenge.
... I give and bequeath to my eldest son, Noah, ...
to my second son, Jesse, ...
to my third son, Alexander, ...
to my son Andrew, ...
to my son Landon, ...
to my son Emanuel, ...
daughters, Nancy, Sarahfine, Elizabeth and Amanda ...
8th day of January, A.D. 1859.
Adam <his mark> Snider (seal)
Proved in open court, R.L. Wilson, Clerk, February Term, 1859.
Adam amassed quite an estate even though he was illiterate. Some land amounts are unspecified. Just the amounts mentioned add up to 702 acres. Adam listed blacksmith tools and quite a few buildings - dwelling house, kitchen, smokehouse, barns, stables, and shops. He was a blacksmith as well as a farmer.
He was only about 54 when he died. His parents were still alive.
His gravestone says he died in 1868 but this must be a new stone with the wrong date. The probate court record and his detailed will provide unassailable proof that he died in 1859.
Source:
Tennessee, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1779-2008, Johnson County, Bonds and Letters, 1839-1900; Last Will and Testament of Adam Snider, deceased, p. 121; digital image 67 of 763, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 Apr 2024).
