Muhlenberg County Kentucky
Wills: S
John Stroud, 1872
In the name of God, Amen. I, John Stroud, of Muhlenberg County, being in feeble health but of disposing mind and memory, do hereby make this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other will heretofore made by me.
Item 1, I desire that all of my just debts shall be paid by my Executors, including such debts that may be contracted for any burial expenses or Tomb Stones, by my Executors.
Item 2nd, I give and bequeath to my wife Mary Elizabeth Stroud, all of my estate, whether it be real or personal property, choses in action, or money, to hold for her own proper use, during her life or widowhood, and at her death or remarriage, it is my will and desire that all of my property of every kind and character should be equally divided among my children, subject to the exceptions hereinafter named.
Item 3rd, I give to my Executor and Executrix or their successors in office the power and authority to sell any real and personal property that I may die seized of with power to convey to the purchaser or with power to lay off in lots and vest the title in trustees hoping and believing that my Executors will execute the trust that I have reposed in them for the best interest of my wife and children and that any real estate should be sold by them for the payment of my debts, then that such lots as they may deem most advantageous shall be sold of the land that I own at “Stroud City” on the Elizabethtown and Paducah Railroad and on the Owensboro and Russellville Railroad.
Item 4th, I desire that at the death or marriage of my wife that all of my children shall share equally in my estate, except that my son, J. Russell Stroud, shall be charged with the sum of three hundred dollars and my son, John Stroud, with the sum of two hundred and ninety dollars. I give to all of my other children a horse as they respectively arrive at twenty one years of age, except the first two named, and my son Martin who is to receive no horse. I hereby appoint my wife, Mary Elizabeth Stroud, and Thomas Baxter, my Executor and Executrix of this my last will and testament, and in the event of the marriage or death of my wife, then her powers as executrix shall cease, and the County Court of this County shall have power and is directed to appointed an associate Executor to act with said Baxter in the management of my estate.
John his x mark Stroud
Witness
Jonathon Kittinger
M.D. Hay
State of Kentucky
Muhlenberg County Court, Sct.
August Term, 1872
The foregoing last will and testament of John Stroud, decd. was produced to court and proved to be the act and deed of the said John Stroud, decd., by the oaths of Jonathon Kittenger and M.D. Hay, the two subscribing witnesses thereto, and the same is ordered recorded.
Att: Thomas Bruce, Clk.
Source: Muhlenberg County Kentucky Will Book 3, p. 263.
Contributed by Dorann O'Neal Lam
Updated August 15, 2022