Mathis Perril’s will, dated December 11, 1805, outlines his wishes regarding his estate while acknowledging his mortality due to illness. He bequeaths all his property to his beloved wife, Barbary, to manage until her death or remarriage. Afterward, the estate will be divided equally among their children, except for a sorrel mare, which remains Barbary’s. He appoints her as the sole executor and revokes any prior wills. The will was proven in court on April 6, 1806, by witnesses John and Eli Stuart.
In the name of God Amen. The eleventh day of December in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and five.
I, Mathis Perril in the county of Muhlenberg, and State of Kentucky, being
very sick and weak in body therefore calling into mind the mortality of my
body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die. Do make and
ordain this my last will and testament. that is to say principally and
first of all.
I give and recommand into the hands of God that gave it and as touching such
worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life. I
give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner.;
It is my will and I do order that in the first place all my just debts to be
paid and satisfied and that my beloved wife Barbary is to hold all the
things and property together as long as she lives or remains a widow and at
her death or marriage it is to fall to my children, all but the sorrel
mare and that is to be her right and property and all the rest to be
equally divided between my children and constitute, make and ordain my
beloved wife only and sole executor of this my last will and testament and
I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke, and disannuel all and every other
former testaments and wills and executors by me in anyways. In witness
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and date above written.
Mathis ( his mark) Perril (seal )
Signed in the presence of us
John Stuart son of D.S. and Eli Stuart
Muhlenberg County Sct.
April Term 1806
The last will and testament of Mathis Perril Dec'd was exhibited into court
and proved by the oaths of John Stuart, and Eli Stuart subscribing witness
thereunto and orderd to be recorded.
Att. Chas. F. Wing
Source: Muhlenburg County Kentucky Will Book 1, page 57.