Friend of Friends Friday: Francis Hardgrave's Bequest to His Grandson Francis Hardgrave

Excerpt from will of Francis Hardgrave, 22 February 1827. Davidson County, Tennessee Probate Court, Will Records. Tennessee, Probate Court Files, 1795-1955. FamilySearch.

In his will, dated 22 February 1827, my 6th-great-grandfather Francis Hardgrave included the following bequest to his grandson Francis C. Hardgrave:

I give and bequeath to my grandson Francis Hardgrave son of John and Polly Hardgrave a certain Negro boy named John to be his

Francis Hardgrave died in Davidson County, Tennessee on 7 August 1828. In 1840, his grandson Francis lived in Illinois Township, Washington County, Arkansas. He owned three slaves: two males 10 and under 24, and one female 36 and under 55. It is possible that John is one of the two males. The other male might be Franklin, the boy that Francis purchased from his uncle Skelton Hardgrave's estate.

1840 United States census, Illinois Township, Washington County, Arkansas, roll 20, page 272, image 1125.

1840 United States census, Illinois Township, Washington County, Arkansas, roll 20, page 272, image 1126.