John Chapman was born on July 4, 1814 in Virginia, and died on May 10, 1900 in Fincastle, Campbell County, Tennessee.
In the name of God Amen, I John Chapman Sr. of Fincastle in the County of Campbell and the State of Tennessee being of sound mind and memory do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made. First, I order and direct my executor as soon after my decease as practicable to pay off and discharge all my debts and funeral expenses out of any monies that may come into his hands.
Second I bequeath and will to my son Alvis Chapman of Fincastle, Tennessee and my daughter Mary Meador of Fincastle and my daughter Jane Russell of New Hope, Alabama; To be equally divided between them, the place or farm known and described as the George Smith or Bratcher farm and a part of the Schoolbred land, beginning at the Northeast corner between myself and Huston Ivy, running south with the lot line to the creek, thence up the creek as it meanders to the lower Schoolbred line thence up the hill a strait line southwardly to the old Bratcher corner; and that my son Alvis Chapman shall have his portion allotted to him where the buildings now stand including the orchard. And the buildings nor orchard shall not be considered worth anything in said divide but only the land where they stand and that my son Alvis shall have the privilege if he chooses to pay my daughter Jane Russell four hundred dollars to be paid in four installments. One hundred dollars each as follows: One hundred to be paid one year after my death, and one hundred to be paid two years after my death, and one hundred dollars to be paid three years after my death and one hundred dollars to be paid four years after my death, and on the failure of said Alvis Chapman to pay either of the said installments when due as set forth, then he shall pay interest on said installments at the rate of six percent per annum until fully paid and in case he chooses to pay the above money as set forth to Jane Russell then the share of land set forth to her in this will shall be the property of Alvis Chapman and I further will that if my daughter Mary Meador dies without issue of living children that her part shall fall to the heirs of Alvis Chapman at her death.
Third, I will that my son Joseph Chapman shall have the land I purchased of Henry Sharp adjoining the lands of E. R. Davis and others and the remainder or part of the land that I purchased from John Hunter. Beginning on the old Bratcher corner running eastward to the lot line fence with the lot line down the hill to the creek then up the creek as it wanders to the lot line thence up the hill to the beginning corner except a wagon road from the big gate up the creek to the lower Schoulbred line. And I further will and bequest all of the land I now own in the Sixth Civil District of Campbell County Tennessee to my son Joseph Chapman and daughter Minerva Chapman including all the buildings and improvements and all my household and kitchen furniture and all my farming implements.
Fourth, I appoint my son Joseph Chapman of Fincastle Tennessee, executor to this my last will and testament and that he act as such without bound and that after all my just debts and funeral expenses are paid I direct that the said Joseph Chapman divide any money that may be left equally between all of my heirs. In witness whereof, I the said John Chapman Sr., set my hand and seal on this the 7th day of September, One Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety Nine.
