LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF J. M. SPARKS, DECEASED
STATE OF ALABAMA,
FRANKLIN COUNTY:
I, J. M. Sparks, reisding in said State and County, being over
the age of twenty-one years, and of sound mind and desposing memory, and
realizing the uncertainties of life, and the certainty of death. It is
my will and pleasure, to remember my wife and children whom I desire to
will my property.
I hereby make publish and declare this to be my last will and
testament.
First: It is my will that as soon as my death all my debts
if there by any of every kind and character including my funeral expenses,
be paid out of my property.
Second: I hereby will and bequeath to my wife, Frances Sparks,
all of my personal property of every kind and character, except Gin and
Mill on Little Bear Creek, including notes, if there be any, money on
hand, and including one five hundred dollar liberty bond, if same is not
paid before death, and also the homeplace which we now live, located at
Red Bay, with two and a half acres of land with same, off of west side of
the southwest fourth of section 19, Township 7, Range 15, said tract of land
lying between the Fulton and Iuka Road. This being the place deeded to J.
M. Sparks by Exie Whitfield, Nov. 5, 1921. Also the fractional part of
the North East fourth of the Southwest fourth and of the Northwest fourth.
And the Northwest fourth of Section 13, Township 7, Range 12, lying on
the Southeast side of Little Bear Creek, less one acre more or less in the
Northwest corner of said tract of land. Also the East half of the North-
west fourth of Section 24, Township 7, Range 14. The above described
land was deeded to J. M. Sparks, by S. M. Scott and M. E. Scott, on the
8th day of February, 1908. And also lots one and two in Block D, in
the Rea and Keeton Additon in the Town of Red Bay, Ala., deeded to J. M.
Sparks by Rea and Keeten on Nov. 8th, 1923. All the above land is situated
and lying in the County of Franklin and the State of Alabama.
Third: I will and bequeath to Mrs. Lucy Dillard, or heirs, Two
Hundred Thirty acres of land, in Section 18 and 19, Township 7, Range
14, being the tract of land deeded to J. M. Sparks by M. A. Sparks, and
Betty Sparks, bearing date the sixth day of February, 1912. The above
described land is situated, lying and being in Franklin County.
Fourth: I Will and bequeath to my son, M. A. Sparks, eighty one
acres of land, in the Southwest fourth of Section 18, Township 7, Range
13. The entire tract deeded to J. M. Sparks, by M. A. Sparks, and Betty
Sparks, November 1st, 1920. All being and lying in Franklin County, Alabama.
Fifth: I will and bequeath to my daughters, Mrs. Martha Benson,
Mrs. Willy Lee Carpenter, the entire Old Sparks Home Place, containing
all the land that go with same, being seventy five acres, more or less, in
Section 18, Township 7, Range 14; and also on the south side of Little
Bear Creek. And also 88 acres more or less, in Section 19, Township 7,
Range 14, on east side of Little Bear Creek, and North of Cotton Gin
Road. Also 40 acres more or less in the Southeast fourth section twenty
four, Township 7, Range 14, A hundred and eighteen acres, more or less,
Section 24, Township 7, Range 14, West, of the Township line. All
situated and being in Franklin County. Also the mill propery and ma-
chinery that is there located with same. It is my will and pleasure that
my daughters, Mrs. Martha Benson and Mrs. Willy Lee Carpenter, that are
mentioned in the above share equally in all the land and property
mentioned, that they are to divide the same to suit themselves. The
property was deeded to J. M. Sparks by A. J. Underwood and W. R. Hughes,
and Mary L. Hughes, on the 13th day of August, 1889.
Sixth; I will and bequeath to my son C. H. Sparks all of the North-
West fourth of Section 30, Township 7, Range 13, making a hundred and sixty
seven acres, deeded to J. M. Sparks by H. D. Harper and Berry Harper, January
8, 1898. And also eighty acres of land the south half of the Northeast
fourth Section 25, Township 7, Range 14, deeded to J. M. Sparks, by G. W. Bentley
and Jane Bentley, 25th day of August, 1902. Also a hundred and twenty
acres of land in the Northwest Fourth of Section 33, Township 7, Range 13.
Also the southwest fourth of Section 28, Township 7, Range 13. Deeded to
J. M. Sparks by James P. Waltrip and Lucy Waltrip of February 3rd, 1883.
All the above situated, and lying in Franklin County.
I, Edgar Underwood, Judge of Probate, in and for said county
and State, hereby certify that the within Will is a true and
correct copy of the will of J. M. Sparks, deceased, as found
on record and in my custody in this office, in Will Record #2,
at pages 116, 117, and 118.
Given under my hand and seal, this 16th day of
December,1943.
Edgar Underwood
Judge of Protate