Muhlenberg County Kentucky


Muhlenberg map

Wills: S

John Smith, 1803

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John Smith Will

Transcription

In the anme of God Amen. The twenty sixth day of March 1803, I, John Smith, of the County of Muhlenberg and State of Kentucky, Planter, being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind & memory thanks to God therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, I do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul to God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried at the directors of my executors, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me on this ways I give and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

First, I do give to my well beloved wife Mary, I gave her living on the plantation that I now live on during her life. I also give her a negro called Melly and one called Batt. Also four cows during her life if she shall need them, one riding mare, 1500 wt.[?] of flower [flour], 500 wt.[?] of bacon, her bed and household furniture to dispose of as she thinks proper.

Next, I give to my well beloved son Elias Smith the place I now live on and mill also fifty acres of land, a part of a survey bought of Samuel Fulton, also a survey of 68 acres joining the place I now live on, also a survey of 200 acres entered in the name of Magdelena, also I give him all the rest of my property that is not mentioned in this my will and testament. I also allow him to keep Magelena, my well beloved daughter, during her life.

Next, I do give my well beloved daughter Elizabeth and my stepson Jacob Keizer 400 acres of land, 100 acres of military bought of Matthew Ham, 100 entered in the name of John Moviller, 200 entered in the name of John Bradley, also a negro called Charles and one called John.

Next, I give my well beloved nieces, Rachel Tennett and Eve Tennett, 200 acres of land entered in the name of Elias Smith, also one cow to each of them.

I also give 200 acres of land entered in my name to my daughter Elizabeth and Jacob Keizer and further I do constitute and appoint my son Elias and John Vought to be the executors of this my last will and testament. I do hereby utterly disallow and revoke all former testaments and wills. By this in witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and seal the day and date above.

John Smith

Signed, sealed, published and pronounced and delivered by the same John Smith as his last will and testament in the presence of us subscribers. John Vought, John Hopkins, John Zimmerman, Saml. Weir.

Muhlenberg County Sct.
May Term 1803.
The last will and testament of John Smith decd. was exhibited into court and proved by the oaths of John Zimmerman, John Hopkins and Samuel Weir, subscribed witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded.
Att. C.F. Wing Clerk.

Source: Muhlenberg County Kentucky Will Book 1, pp. 5-7.

Updated August 18, 2022