John Armstrong’s will, dated May 3, 1808, outlines his wishes regarding the distribution of his estate in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. He bequeaths his livestock and household items to his wife, Mary, appoints her and his son, George, as executors, and designates land allocations to his children. His daughter Jane receives a pot, while sons James and Matthew are granted land, contingent upon securing rights. Daughters Mary and Elizabeth are each bequeathed five shillings. The will was witnessed by William Thompson, Samuel Handly, and Jacob Anthony, and recorded in January 1818.
In the name of God Amen, I John Armstrong of Muhlenberg County & State of
Kentucky, being in perfect health of body, mind & memory, thanks be given to
God, calling to mind the Mortality of the body & Knowing that it is
appointed for all men once to die, do make & ordain this my last will &
testament. That is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend
my Soul unto the hand of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend
to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of
my Executors, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall
receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching Such
worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with this life I
give devise and dispose of in the following manner and form.
First, I nominate and apoint my Loving Wife Mary Armstrong and George
Armstrong, my son, Executors of this my last will & testament.
First, I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved Wife Mary Armstrong all my
Stock of horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, with my dwelling house, one bed and
furniture with all my plate and pot ware, except one Large pot, to be by her
freely enjoyed as long as she lives.
Also, I give and bequeath to Jane Wright, my loving daughter, one big pot.
Also, I give & bequeath to James Armstrong, my beloved son, three hundred
acres of land lying on duck river if the right can be obtained. Also, I give
and bequeath to my loving daughter Mary Billings five shillings to be paid
by my Executors out their part of my estate. Also, I give and bequeath to
Matthew Armstrong, my loving Son, two hundred and fifty five achres of land
lying on the waters of duck river if the right can be obtained. Also, I give
and bequeath to my loving daughter Peggy Smith, five shillings to be paid by
my Executors. Also, I give and bequeath to my loving daughter, Elizabeth
Smith five shillings to be paid by my Executors. Also, I give and bequeath
to John Armstrong and George Armstrong my beloved sons, the land I now live
on, two hundred acres of head wright land with the mill and farm, to be
equally divided between them according to the value thereof. Farther, I give
to John Armstrong, my son, one bed and furniture. Farther I give and
bequeath to George Armstrong, my son, all my farming tools and also all the
property remaining at the death of my wife Mary Armstrong that was
bequeathed for her maintainance, 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 3rd day of May, 1808.
John Armstrong -his mark
Signed sealed pronounced delivered by the said John Armstrong 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.
William Thompson
Samuel Handly
Jacob Anthony
Muhlenberg County
January County Court 1818
This last will and testament of John Armstrong decd. was exhibited into
court and proved by the Oath of Wm. Thompson & Jacob Anthony, two of the
subscribing Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Att. C. F. Wing Clk.
Source: Muhlenburg County Kentucky Will Book 1, pages