John McKinney, in his 1801 will, entrusts his soul to God and dedicates his body to a Christian burial. He leaves his entire estate to his wife, Mary, for life, with specific bequests of enslaved individuals to his son John, granddaughter Mary, and grandson John upon reaching adulthood. Upon Mary’s death, the estate is to be divided between sons John and James McKinney. He names Mary, John, and James as executors and revokes any prior wills. The will was validated in court in March 1801.
In the name of God Amen
I, John McKinney of the County of Mullenberg being very sick and weak of
body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God. Calling to
mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men
for to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to
say princepally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the
hands of Almighty God that gave it. And my body I recommend to the earth to
be buried in decent Christian burial at the descretion of my Executors,
nothing doubting but at the General Resurection, I shall receive the same
by the mighty power of God. and as touching such worldly estate wherewith
it hath pleased God to bless me in this life. I give and dominish of the
same in the following manner and form.
First I lend, give, and bequeth to my beloved wife Mary McKinney all my
whole estate during life, except Darrow and Amy and Peter and Pat. The first
mentioned negro, I give to my beloved son John McKinney, the second one to
my beloved Grandaughter Mary McKinney when she comes of age or marries, the
third one to my beloved Grandson John McKinney the son of James McKinney all
that I lend to my beloved wife at her death to be equally divided between my
beloved sons John and James McKinney. I likewise constitute and appoint Mary
McKinney my beloved wife and John McKinney and James McKinney, my sole
Executors and I do hereby disallow, revoke, and disannuell all and every
other testament, & wills, legacies, bequest and Executors by me in any ways
before named willed and bequethed 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 twenty sixth day of Febuary in the year of our lord, One
thousand eight hundred and one.
signed, sealed, and published, pronounced and delivered by the said John
McKinney as his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his
presence and in the presence of each other here unto subscribed our names.
Mullenberg County Sct.
March Term 1801
As writing purporting to be the nuncupative will of John McKinney
deceased was produced into court and proved by Oaths of Charles Lewis and
John McKinney. June 16 subscribing witness thereunto and ordered to be
recorded.
Att. C. F. Wing Clerk
Source: Muhlenburg County Kentucky Will Book 1, pages 13-15.