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Note: Nesbitt was one of first settlers in what is now Dickson County, coming from the Reidville area of South Carolina in the late 1790s. Tradition among some of the Dickson County Nesbitt's is that there were four Nesbitt brother that made this journey, namely, Jeremiah, born 1776; Nathan, born 1778; John, born 1755; and Robert, born 1758. Due to the disparity in ages, it is believed that we have two sets of brothers. Supporting this conjecture is that family records show that Jeremiah and Nathan were born in Scotland and John was born in Ireland. John and Robert settled together on Barton's Creek. John and Robert Nesbitt served in the Revolutionary War in South Carolina with John holding the rank of Colonel. John Nesbitt was active in the formation of Dickson County government after it was organized in 1803. The first quarterly session of county court was held in the home of Robert Nesbitt. In 1806 it is recorded that it was held in the home of Col. John Nesbitt.
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JOHN NESBITT In the name of God, Amen. I John Nesbitt, of the County of Dickson and State of Tennessee, being weak in body but of sound mind and memory (blessed be Almighty God for the same) do this second day of August in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty eight,
make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form as follows, that is to say, I give and bequeath my spirit to Almighty God and my body to be decently buried and after all my just debts being paid, I give and bequeath to my youngest son, Allen Nesbitt, the tract of land whereon I now live, containing three hundred acres, also one other tract which I lately bought of Jim B. Walker, containing two hundred and fifteen acres. The said Allen Nesbitt paying to the rest of my heirs, the sum of three hundred and twenty five dollars as hereinafter specified. Also one bed and furniture I give to my said son, Allen Nesbitt. The rest of my children, that is, Thomas, John and Robert Nesbitt and Fanny Walker, in addition to the bed and furniture and cows and calves, I gave one horse and saddle, the whole estimated at one hundred and five dollars. Noew it is my will and desire that my three negroes should be valued by two disinterested men and that my children should take them among them at their valuation. It is my desire that my son, Thomas Nesbitt take my boy Harry and if his valuation should exceed his equal part of my estate after the devise already made to my son Allen being taken out, then he shall pay over the overplus to my Executors that an equal division be made so also with my negro woman. But if my children should not be willing to take them at their valuation, then they shall be sold with all the rest of my perishable property and the proceeds together with the three hundred and twenty five dollars to be paid by my son Allen, to be divided between Thomas, John and Robert Nesbitt and Fanny Walker, so as to make them equal, taking into view what they have before received and I hereby make and ordain my sons, Thomas and Allen Nesbitt, my Executors of this my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof, I the said John Nesbitt have to this Last Will and Testament set my hand and affixed my seal the day and year above written.
John Nesbitt (seal)
Note: Goodspeed's History of Tennessee, published in 1886 , states that John
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