Will of Martin Davenport, 1816

from DeAnna Fisher

I Martin Davenport of Adair County and State of Kentucky being in a low state of health but sound in my mind and perfectly in my senses,
recollecting that death is the lot of all men and not knowing the time nor
place do ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form
following; Viz, I lend to my daughter, Nancy Martin Davenport for her
lifetime a negro boy by the name of Carter, now in the hands of Capt. Lemuel Williams of Cumberland County and also a negro girl by the name of Emmily, now in the hands of Mr.Cleaver Harrell but if she should die without having lawful heirs of her body that then the said Carter and Emmily are to dissolve upon her surviving brother and sisters by an equal division. 

 Item: I leave and bequeath to Paul Pigg, who married my daughter Betsey, Two Dollars, he having already received nearly his proportionate part of my estate.

Item: I leave and bequeath to my daughter Malinda Wheeler during her life a negro boy  by the name of Lewis now in the hands of Mr. Cleaver Harrell and after her decease to dissolve upon the lawful heirs of her body.

Item: I lend to my daughter Polly Cambell during her lifetime and after that to the lawful heirs of her body a negro woman by the name of Patty, with her increase, the said Patty is now in the hands of Mr. Cleaver Harrell.

Item: I lend to my daughter Jinny Bird during her lifetime and after that to the lawful heirs of her body a negro boy by the name of Sam, now in the hands of Mr. John Stotts.

The residue of my estate both real and personal I leave and bequeath to
my son George Davenport and to my daughters Jinny Bird, Polly Cambell and Malinda Wheeler by an equal division. I have already given my son George Davenport a negro boy by the name of Frank (?) as part of his legacy-- I leave and bequeath to Thomas Bird my wearing apparel and saddle and bridle. 

Lastly it is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid before any
division of the residue takes place and I do hereby appoint John Stotts and Robert Rayburn as executors to this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 15th day of May, 1816.

                                                   Martin Davenport (Seal)

Signed, Sealed and Acknowledged in the presents of;
Jesse Smith
William Stotts

At a County Court continued and held by the County of Adair at the
Courthouse in Columbia on Tuesday the 3rd day of September 1816, This Last Will and Testament of Martin Davenport, decd. was proven by the oath of William Stotts, a subscribing witness thereto and said Will was further proven to be in the handwriting of the said Davenport by the oath of John Grissom and William Scott and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of John Stotts and Robt. Raybourn Executors named in said Will the execution thereof was granted them, they having given bond in the (illegible) sum of $5,000 and taken the oath required by law.

Wm. Caldwell
(Illegible)