Kentucky Genealogy, Author at Kentucky Genealogy

Will of Batten Dobyns, 1804

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.

Will of Henry Davis, 1805

Henry Davis’s last will, dated 1805, bequeaths his estate to his family, including his wife Fanny and children Randall, Henry, and a daughter. He grants Fanny a negro woman named Beck, household goods, and livestock for family support. Randall receives a plantation, while Henry gets the current residence and additional land. The daughter is allotted property on Cypress, with remaining slaves divided among the children. Proceeds from excess livestock sales are designated for education, and his debts are to be settled from estate income. Amy Davis and William Young are named executors.

Will of Susanna Cooly, 1807

Susanna Cooly’s will, dated October 25, 1807, outlines her final wishes for her estate in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. She bequeaths 50 acres to her son Job Mathias, with additional land allocated to her daughter Susanna Reaves during her lifetime. Proceeds from the sale of her horses are designated for her grandchildren, Susanna Reaves and Justus Mathias. Cooly also leaves personal items to her son and son-in-law, while designating Susanna Reaves the remainder of her effects. John McFarland and Samuel Reaves are appointed as her executors. The will was proven in court in December 1807.

Will of William Campbell, 1800

William Campbell of Muhlenberg County, in his will dated November 17, 1800, bequeaths property and slaves to his wife, Tabitha Campbell, for her and their children’s support. He allocates 500 acres of land and named slaves, emphasizing that his son Samuel may claim 200 acres if needed. His five daughters will share remaining land and receive individual slaves. Campbell instructs the sale of other lands for family support and mandates that slaves gain freedom at age 30. He appoints Tabitha and friends as executors, revoking prior wills.

Will of Patrick Campbell, 1799

Patrick Campbell’s will, dated August 28, 1799, outlines his estate distribution. He bequeaths his son, William Campbell, one thousand acres of land in Boone County, along with additional land and personal items. His wife, Nancy, is granted the remainder of the estate, with specific items (two iron pots and an oven) designated for William after her passing. Patrick appoints Nancy and William as executors, revoking any previous wills. The will was proved in court in January 1800.

Will of John Byrd, 1808

The will of John Byrd, dated June 22, 1808, outlines his wishes for the distribution of his estate. He requests that all debts be settled before bequeathing his property. His wife, Rebecca, receives a negro man and household items for her lifetime. His daughters, Polly, Anne, and Sally, inherit a negro woman and her children, while his sons, John and Nathan, share a 200-acre tract of land and a negro girl. Byrd appoints Rebecca and Leroy Jackson as executors and specifies that his family should remain on the farm during his wife’s widowhood.

Will of Robert Anderson, 1812

The will of Robert Anderson, dated April 28, 1812, outlines his bequests to family members, including his daughter Ann Dobyns and her children, his son Thomas Anderson, and daughter Martha Morris, along with provisions for his granddaughter and daughter Franky. He bequeaths several enslaved individuals and land, with specific instructions for distribution should his daughter Martha die without heirs. Robert Anderson appoints his son Thomas and Amos Jenkins as executors, revoking all previous wills. The will was proven in court in May 1821, with witnesses corroborating its authenticity.

Will of William Allison, 1814

William Allison of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, established his last will on April 11, 1814. He directed friends William Pimbler and Hugh Carter to sell his stock, household, and kitchen furniture with twelve months of credit, and to sell his land with six years of credit. He instructed that his notes be collected for the benefit of his children, with proceeds placed in the treasury to accrue interest for the youngest. As each child reaches maturity, they will receive their share. The will was witnessed and approved by the court.

Will of Richard Nelson Alcock, 1903

Richard Nelson Alcock’s will details the distribution of his estate in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. He bequeaths a mare, cow, and cash to his son Counsel Alcock. His wife, Sarah, is to be supported on their land. His properties are directed to be managed by executors until his sons, Durand and James, reach adulthood, at which point the estate will be divided equally. Alcock also provides for the care of his sons and ensures their education under the supervision of a friend. The will includes provisions for the distribution of other assets and appoints executors to oversee the estate.

Will of John Abbott, 1814

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.