Forrest Forrest's Will

[AndyHall]

A friend passed along this link, purporting to be a transcript of Forrest's will. Can any of our Forrest folks confirm that?

FIRST I commit my body after death to my family and friends with the request that it may be entered among the Confederate dead in the Elmwood Cemetery near the City of Memphis, it being my desire that my remains shall rest with those of the brave men, men who were my comrades in war and shared with me the danger and peril of battle fields fighting in a cause we believed it our duty to uphold and maintain.​

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

A friend passed along this link, purporting to be a transcript of Forrest's will. Can any of our Forrest folks confirm that?

FIRST I commit my body after death to my family and friends with the request that it may be entered among the Confederate dead in the Elmwood Cemetery near the City of Memphis, it being my desire that my remains shall rest with those of the brave men, men who were my comrades in war and shared with me the danger and peril of battle fields fighting in a cause we believed it our duty to uphold and maintain.​

Great question.

I would love to see an actual image of Forrest's Last Will & Testament.
I'm sure the original document would be preserved in the Shelby County Tennessee, Court records.

I've been searching for an original copy on line, but have only found identical transcripts of what your friend shared with you.

Although I can't personally confirm the authenticity of the Will, I have no reason to doubt those are Forrest's words.


Hopefully our Forrest experts: @diane, @Nathanb1 or some of our Forrest relatives can provide additional details.

 

[Patrick H]

Great concept for a thread, Andy. I bet we'll see some real interesting responses!

 

[diane]

That's the first paragraph of Forrest's will, all right! I think, though, don't they have to do something about Willie's legal permission to dis-inter and re-inter his parents? But, absolutely, Forrest made it clear it was important - first thing mentioned - where he wanted to be buried and why.

 

[AndyHall]

Thanks, Diane.

 

[Nathanb1]

Unionblue posted it in an earlier thread. I hadn't thought to look elsewhere. Wonder if it is in Jordan and Pryor. I was about to mosey down the hall anyway.... I could look.

 

[Allie]

I'm not seeing anyone referring to a primary source with location, etc. Although TNGenweb from which I've gotten a lot of wills also gives it.

http://www.tngenweb.org/benton/bentonhistory27.html

Off topic, while searching I bumped into this essay about removing his bust from the State capital. I thought it was educated, intelligent and reasonable, three qualities in short supply in most media discussions of the matter.

http://www.nashvillescene.com/pitw/...han-bedford-forrest-lets-stop-worshipping-him

 

[diane]

Unionblue posted it in an earlier thread. I hadn't thought to look elsewhere. Wonder if it is in Jordan and Pryor. I was about to mosey down the hall anyway.... I could look.

It's not in there as Forrest hadn't died yet - I'd thought maybe Wyeth would have it but it wasn't in there. I'm not entirely sure but it might be in Wills' bio or Hurst's. Away from my readin' stuff today!

 

[Nathanb1]

It's not in there as Forrest hadn't died yet - I'd thought maybe Wyeth would have it but it wasn't in there. I'm not entirely sure but it might be in Wills' bio or Hurst's. Away from my readin' stuff today!

I looked in Wills. Nope.

 

[diane]

I looked in Wills. Nope.

I'm going to have to find it now because I know I read it before reading it on the internet. It's out there, Scully!

 

[Cumpston1862]

I'm going to have to find it now because I know I read it before reading it on the internet. It's out there, Scully!

Trust no one...Madam Diane

 

[unionblue]

Unionblue posted it in an earlier thread. I hadn't thought to look elsewhere. Wonder if it is in Jordan and Pryor. I was about to mosey down the hall anyway.... I could look.

Nope, I didn't post the will, I merely referred to it from another poster, I think.

Just can't remember who.

Now I remember. It was forum member E_just_E who posted at the following thread here at CivilWarTalk.

http://civilwartalk.com/threads/mem...ts-body-and-monument-from-park.115065/page-13

Scroll down and see his post# 244 where he lists the will.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[roberts]

I will confirm the accuracy of the transcription. The will was filed on December 17, 1877 in Shelby County, Tennessee and copied onto pages 400 - 401, volume 7 of the probate court's will book the next day.