The will of John Abbott, dated July 5, 1814, from Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, outlines his wishes for after his death. He bequeaths 120 cents to each lawful heir and directs that his estate be used to settle all legal debts. The remainder of his estate is left to his beloved wife, Charity, who is appointed as the executor, alongside Silas Jackson. Abbott revokes all previous wills and confirms this as his final testament, witnessed by William Weir, Josiah Underwood, and Elizabeth Pitman. The will was recorded in July Court, 1814.
John Abbott Will
In the name of God Amen
I John Abott of the County of Muhlenberg State of Kentucky, Farmer, being
very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind amd memory thanks be to God.
Calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed
for all men once to die. do make and ordain this my will and testament that
is to say princepally and first of all.
I recommend my soul to the hands of the Almighty God that gave it. My body I
recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the
descretion of my excutors, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection,
I shall recieve the same again by the mighty hand of God and as touching
such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life.
I give, devise, and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
First I give and bequeath to each of my lawful heirs the sum of one hundred
and twenty cents to be paid out of my estate also so much of said estate as
shall be sufficent to discharge all lawful demands to be disposed of at the
descretion of my excutors and punctualy paid.
Second The balance of said estate, I give and bequeath to my well beloved
wife Charity whom I likewise constitute make and ordain the excutor of last
will and testament. I also constitute Silas Jackson excutor with my wife
Charity and I do hereby utterly revoke and disallow all and every other
former testament, will, bequeaths, or excutors. Confirming this and no other
to be my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 5th day of
July in the year of our Lord 1814.
Signed, Sealed, and ordered by the said John Abott as his last will and
testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of
each other have hereunto and subscribed our names.
John Abott (seal)
Test; Wm. Weir, Josiah Underwood, Elizabeth X Pitman
Muhlenberg Co. Sct. July Court 1814
This last will and testament of John Abott deceased by the excutors therein
named and proved by the oath of Wm. Weir and Josiah Underwood two of the
subscribing witness thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Att. Chas. F. Wing Clk.
Source: Muhlenburg County Kentucky Will Book 1, pages 199-201