The last will and testament of Christian Gish, dated June 20, 1812, outlines the distribution of his estate in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. He bequeaths his plantation and personal property to his wife, Barbary Gish, until their son David reaches maturity. Each of his children, including Christian, Elizabeth, John, Samuel, Joseph, George, David, Sally, and Abraham, receives designated parcels of land, with conditions for payment and future ownership. Gish appoints John Noffsinger and John Gish as executors, revoking any previous wills.
In the name of God, Amen. I, Christian Gish of the County of Muhlenberg and the State of Kentucky, being of sound mind and memory and understanding, but considering the uncertainty of this life, think fit to make this my last will and testament in the following manner, to wit: As touching my worldly estate, it is my will and desire that all my debts be faithfully paid.
First. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Barbary Gish, my plantation that I now live on, with all my household furniture and movable property, until my son David Gish becomes of age. And after said David is of age, she is to have the dwelling house, gardens, and all the cleared land joining or laying on the same side of my plantation. The garden is for her lifetime. Likewise, all the stock of horses, hogs, cattle, and sheep be used as her own right and property to give and bequeath to whom she will. And if she thinks fit, she may sell the horse mill or any of the personal property, and the money arising therefrom for her own use. Likewise, all monies due to the estate by bond or account is her own use during her lifetime, and after her decease, if anything is left, to be sold and therefrom be equally divided between my heirs according to what they received from me in my lifetime.
Secondly. I give and bequeath unto my son, Christian Gish, one hundred and fifty acres of land, fifty acres of said land he has paid one hundred and seventy-five dollars for, which is the land he now lives on and bounded or was run by Charles Morgan.
Thirdly. I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Elizabeth Frances, one hundred and fifty acres of land, on condition of her paying unto my estate one hundred and twenty-five dollars, it being the price of fifty acres of land, money to be paid on or before the 9th day of June 1810, bearing interest from the 9th day of June 1808 until paid, which is land she and her husband now live on and bounded or run by Charles Morgan.
Fourthly. I give and bequeath unto my son, John Gish, one hundred and fifty acres of land, on condition of paying to my estate forty-six dollars, it being the balance of one hundred and twenty-five dollars what he is to pay for fifty acres of the above-mentioned land, one hundred and fifty acres of land which he has improved and bounded or run by Charles Morgan and the alteration that was made by John Morgan. Payment to be made on or before the 9th day of June in the year 1810, bearing interest from the 9th day of June 1808 until paid.
Fifth. I give and bequeath unto my son, Samuel Gish, one hundred and fifty acres of land on condition of his paying to my estate eighty-one dollars, it being the balance of one hundred and twenty-five dollars which he is to pay for fifty acres of the above-mentioned land, one hundred and fifty acres of said land which bounds on the line of Christian Gish Jr. and Jacob Nofsinger, and bounded or run by John Morgan. Payment to be made on or before the first day of June 1809. I also give him a certain bay mare and colt that he has in possession for some time, known by the name of Samuel Gish’s mare.
Sixthly. I give and bequeath unto my son, Joseph Gish, one hundred and fifty acres of land on condition of his paying unto my estate eighty-three dollars and one-third, it being the whole amount of which he is to pay for fifty acres of the above-mentioned one hundred and fifty acres of land. Payment to be made on or before the 20th day of December 1811, bearing interest when due until paid. The above-mentioned land binds with James Breckenridge, John Noffsinger, and bounded or was run by Benjamin Johnston.
Seventhly. I give and bequeath unto my son, George Gish, one hundred and fifty acres of land on condition of his paying to my estate eighty-three dollars and one-third, it being the whole of what he is to pay for fifty acres of the above-mentioned one hundred and fifty acres. Payment to be made on or before the 20th day of June 1812, bearing interest when due until paid. The said one hundred and fifty acres of land binds on John Landers, John Noffsinger, and James Breckenridge, and is bounded or was run by Benjamin Johnston.
Eighthly. I give unto my son, David Gish, one hundred and fifty acres of land I now live on, on condition of his paying unto my executors forty pounds in the term of five years after he becomes of age. The first year he is to pay nothing, each other year he is to pay ten pounds per year until paid. Likewise, said David Gish is to find firewood for his mother during her lifetime or widowhood.
Ninthly. I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Sally Gish, one hundred and twenty acres of land more or less, without the estate making demand against said Sally Gish in any way. The said one hundred and twenty acres of above-mentioned land lies binding on Jacob Noffsinger, James Breckenridge outside south line. Likewise, she is to have the title for said land when she is of age, with an equal part of personal property.
Tenthly. I give and bequeath unto my son, Abraham Gish, one hundred and twenty-five acres of land binding on Samuel Gish and Jacob Noffsinger, and a clear title to be made to the said Abraham Gish when he becomes of age by my executors, with an equal part of the personal property.
I likewise constitute, make, and ordain my beloved friends, John Noffsinger and John Gish, the sole executors of this my last will and testament. I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke, and disannul all and every former testament and will, legacies, bequeaths, and executors by me in any way before named, willed, and bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament, investing my executors with sole power of making titles to the respecting lands when they are conformable to this my last will and testament, or become of age to those that owe the estate. In witness hereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of June 1812.
Signed, sealed, delivered by me,
Christian Gish, as my last will and testament,
in the presence of us:
James Landis
James Walker
Frederick Haynes
Sealed, his mark,
Christian X Gish
Source: Muhlenburg County Kentucky Will Book K, pages 211-216.