The will of Daniel Rhoads, originally written as “David Rhoads,” outlines his estate distribution on October 5, 1811. He directs that debts and funeral expenses be paid before bequeathing 80 acres of land to his wife Polly for her lifetime, after which it passes to their son Daniel. Additionally, he allocates land and livestock among his other children, including John, Henry, James, Lewis, William, and Ryla. Daniel names his wife and a friend, Solomon Rhoads, as executors and revokes any prior wills. The will was proved by witnesses in February 1813 and recorded in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky.
This will was written as “David Rhoads” and signed as “Daniel Rhoads.” The header of the will which names the owner has David Rhoads and then somebody has entered Daniel and inserted it in place of David.
In the name of God Amen October 5th, one thousand eight hundred and eleven.
I David Rhoads of Nox County, Indiana Territory, being of perfect health and
sound in memory do make this my last will and testament in manner and form
as follows. (to wit): I allow that all my just debts and funeral expences be
paid and fully satisfied by my excutors.
I give and bequeath to my wife Polly, my second wife I now live with, eighty
acres of land, with the improvements, that I now live on during her life.
then the said land and premises is to desend to my son Daniel, that I now
have with my said wife.
Also, I give to my son John Eighty acres of land adjoining the aforesaid eighty
acres on the East side.
I also unto my said beloved wife two beds together with the shelf ware,
wood ware, and pot mettle. The choice of two cows and one horse creature with the one
she owned when married to me. Together with four breeding sows.
And also, I give unto my sons David and Henry one hundred and eighty acres of land
lying on the south side of the above memtioned land to be divided for
quanity and quality. David is to have his part adjoining his stepmother's
and John's tract.
I also give unto David and Henry two horse colts which I now own.
I further give and bequeath unto my sons James and Lew all my stock and
bedding and farming utensils that I have to be valued by two men if not
agreed upon by my heirs before mentioned to an equal proportion with the
land before mentioned, rating the land at two dollars per acre.
And also; I give unto my son William one dollar current money.
I also give unto my son Ryla a certain tract of land lying in Sypris
adjoining Crumpeckers on the N. East side in the county of Muhlenberg and
state of Kentucky.
I authorize my excutors to make the said Ryla a title agreeable to a bond,
that I give in my lifetime to my wife Polly, which she took when she left
me, for her dower her lifetime.
I do constitute and ordain my beloved wife and my faithful friend Solomon Rhoads to be
excutors of this my last will and testament disanulling all wills and
testaments by me made prior to these present. In witness whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and the day and year above written.
Daniel Rhoads
Witnesses
Henry Rhoads
Asa Hill
Bradford Rhoads
Muhlenberg Co. Ky. SCT. Feb. court 1813
The within instrument of writting purporting to be the last will and
testament of Daniel Rhoads Jr. of Knox Co. in the Indiana Territory was
proved by the oaths of Henry Rhoads, Isa Hill, and Bradford Rhoads three
subscribing witness thereunto which is thereupon ordered to be recorded. In
testimony whereof I Charles Fox Wing, clerk of the county court of said
county have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county this
day and date above written in the 21st year of the commonwealth.
Chas. F. Wing
Source: Muhlenburg County Kentucky Will Book 1, pages 151-153.