Noah Cotton made his will on January 16, 1858, which was probated in January Court 1859, Sumner County, Tennessee. (Will Book 3, Page 288)

Tennessee Divorces 1797-1858 (Taken from 750 Legislative Petitions and Acts) by Gale W. Bamman, C.G Debbie W. Spero
Harper, Elizabeth 1833 Sumner Co.
Elizabeth was married to Joseph Harper 25 years ago in Sumner County. He abandoned her 20 years ago. She had a daughter by him, Nancy, who still lives with her. Joseph went to Kentucky and married and is still married to this other woman.

Statement by 7 Citizens of Sumner regarding the petition of Noah Cotton and Elizabeth Harper.
Statement by Noah Cotton that he has had the following natural children by Elizabeth Harper: Sophia, Harriett, Zelda, John M., James L., and Talitha, Mary, and Alexander T. Harper and wants to legitimize them and change their names to Cotton, and wishes to change the name of Elizabeth's child by Harper -- Nancy, also to Cotton. Noah and Elizabeth have been living together about 18 years.
259-1833

Legislative Papers and Petitions
Box 83. petition from Sumner Co., 1833. Elizabeth Harper, divorce. Noah Cotton says he has natural children by Elizabeth Harper, named Sophia, Harriott N., Zelda, John M., James L., Tabitha, Mary (?), and Alexander T. Harper, and he asks that they be legalized and their name changed to Cotton. The said Elizabeth had a child Nancy by her husband Joseph Harper, who abandoned her about 20 years ago.

Harper Elizabeth 1833
The marriage bonds are hereby dissolved between Elizabeth and her husband, Joseph Harper. Elizabeth is to resume the name Cotton and all eight children's names are to be changed to Cotton. "They (the children) shall enjoy all the rights and privileges as heirs of Noah Cotton of Sumner County." Acts of TN. 1833, p. 50