Funeral costs in Trust Deed records(Rutherford Co. TN, 1922)

Nora Preston Cook, wife of Wm. Clarence Cook died of pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 28. Not only was Clarence facing raising their 3 sons who were under 6 years of age on his own, but he also had to come up with money for his wife's burial. So he, his father, and his father-in-law did what they had to do to come up with the money to bury Nora. To secure the burial which was handled by Woodfin & Moore, Clarence, his father, and his father-in-law put up property to secure the services and guarantee that the burial costs would be paid. We find out the details in Rutherford Co TN Trust Deed Book TT page 420, which gives the listing.

• 1 white-faced cow 5 years old property of Clarence Cook valued at $ 50.00 said cow is at Christiana Tenn
• I white-faced cow 6 years old property of J. B Preston valued at $ 80.00 Said cow on Frank Manken farm in the 24th District
• 1 bay horse 6 years old property of W. G. Cook valued 75.00 Said horse is at Christiana Tenn.

Sources:
Trust Deed Book Vol TT p 420, Clarence Cook et al Mortgage to Woodfin & Moore pg 420; FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSTC-GP1G : accessed 2 Jan 2025), IGN 8332417, Image 539 of 651.

"Tennessee, Deaths, 1914-1966", Rutherford Co. TN, Death Certificate File # 134 --Nora May Cook, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DY49-NTJ? : accessed 2 January 2025), IGN 4184089, image 603 of 2306.