Batten Dobyns of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, drafted his last will on June 13, 1804. He bequeathed his estate to his beloved wife, Frances, and their children: John, Lew, Elizabeth, Nancy, Susannah, Sally, Kitty, Polly, and Washington Dobyns. He appointed John and Lew as his executors and emphasized his desire for a Christian burial. The will was witnessed by Thomas and Benjamin Littlepage and was recorded in May 1806 after being proven in court. This document reflects Dobyns’ wishes regarding the distribution of his worldly possessions.
In the name of God Amen
I, Batten Dobyns of this county of Muhlenberg and State of Kentucky, being
weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God.
calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed
for all men once to die. do make and ordain this my last will and testament.
That is to say principle and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into
the hands of the almighty God that give it . And my body, I recommend to the
earth to be buried in a decent Christian way at the descretion of my
executors nothing doubting but at the general rescurection I shall receive
the same again by the mighty power of God. as touching worldly estate
wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in the life. I give, devise, and
dispose of the same in the following manner and form;
First I give and bequeth to Frances, my beloved wife, an equal part with my
children, her lifetime. then to be equally divided to my children, that is
to say at my death, I give and bequeth to my beloved children, John Dobyns,
Lew Dobyns, Elizabeth Dobyns, Nancy Dobyns, Susannah Dobyns, Sally Dobyns,
Kitty Dobyns, Polly Dobyns,and Washington Dobyns, all I possess in this
world whom I likewise constitute, make, and ordain John Dobyns and Lew
Dobyns, my sole executors of this my last will and testaments all and
singular my lands, messingers, and tenements by then freely to be possessed
and enjoyed and I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke, disannul all and
every other former testaments, wills, legacies, bequest, executors, by me in
any wise before named will and bequithed, ratifying, and confirming this and
no other to be my last will and testament, in witness whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this June thirteenth day in the year of our
Lord eighteen hundred and four.
Batten Doybns (seal )
Signed, sealed, published, pronounced, and declared by the said Batten
Dobyns as his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his
presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our
names,
Thomas Littlepage and Benjamin (his mark) Littlepage.
May Term 1806
The last will and testament of Batten Dobyns Dec'd was produced into court
and proved by the oaths of Thomas Littlepage and Benjamin Littlepage
subscribing witness thereunto and ordered to be recorded.
Att. Chas. F. Wing
Source: Muhlenburg County Kentucky Will Book 1, page 60.