Although this is a statement of Mr. Rouse's freedom and not related to a Will or Settlement, I thought I'd include since it was on one of the pages I have in my possession from the Record Books. Melissa Rutherford County Archives Record Book 18, p. 112 State of Tennessee Rutherford County Personally appeared before me Minos L. Fletcher a Justice of the peace in and for Said County, Thomas Rouse a free man of colour which is properly described as being a dark copper colour, about five feet six & ¼ Inches high weighes about 137 pounds, compact, and well made, a scar on his left thigh about six inches below the hip joint made with a knife, a scar on his right hand and a lump about six inches above the rist joint, about Twenty one years old, also appeared before me Nicholas Welch and Ezra Reed citizens of said County and State men of good moral character and men of Truth who being first Sworn agree with me that the above is a good description of the said Thomas Rouse, and they further say that they have for many years been acquainted with Said Thomas Rouse and that he has been recognized as the son Lucy Rouse, who lived in said County and was recognized as a free person of colour, this the 9th day of May 1856. Ezra Reed Nicholas Welch Minos L. Fletcher Justice of the Peace for Ruthrford County State of Tennessee Rutherford County I John Jones, Clerk of the County Court of Said County do certify that Minos L. Fletcher Esquire before whom the above affidavit was made was at the date thereof an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly Elected Commissioned & qualified as Such and that his signature hereto attached is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Said Court at Murfreesboro this 10th day of May 1856 John Jones Clerk