Sub-Group 4.3: Probate Records, 1773-2006 and undated
280 linear feet (160 boxes and 210 volumes)
Subgroup Description
Probate deals with issues involving wills and the settlement of estates. Originally, the Court of Pleas and
Quarter Sessions (later known as County Court) had jurisdiction over probate matters. On July 1, 2005, state law
changed probate jurisdiction from County Court and the custody of the County Clerk’s office to the jurisdiction of
Chancery Court and the custody of the Clerk and Master’s office. Records were transferred to the Probate Office
of the Clerk and Master. This explains why the researcher may find references to County Court and that court’s
clerk in the pre-2005 records.
Note: For probate records not held in the archives, the researcher should consult the Probate Office at the
Justice Center, 108 West Jackson Blvd., in Jonesborough.
Sub-Group 4.3: Probate Records
Series A: Wills, 1773-1992
77 linear feet (130 boxes and 11 volumes)
Series Description
A will is the legal document by which an individual determines the disposition of their property following their
death. To be authenticated and take effect, wills must be filed with and proven in court. The legal procedures
followed in doing this is known as probate. In addition to expressing the wishes of individuals regarding the
settlement of their estate following their death, a will often includes the names of a spouse, children, or other
heirs and descriptions of real and personal property. In this series, wills that have been copied into bound
volumes are found into Will Books (sub-series A.1). These are generally in chronological order, and there are
indices in each volume. Loose wills (sub-series A.2) are filed in boxes and folders and arranged alphabetically by
the surname of the individual whose will it is. Wills are permanent records.
Series A: Wills is arranged into two sub-series:
Sub-series A.1: Will Books, 1779-1959 (page 2)
Sub-series A.2: Wills (loose), 1773-1992 (page 3-170)