Kentucky Genealogy contains information and records for Kentucky ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Specifically, it provides sources for birth records, death records, marriage records, census records, tax records, court records, and military records. It also provides some historical details about different times and people in Kentucky history.
The State of Kentucky is situated between 36 degrees 30 minutes, and 39 degrees 10 minutes, north latitude; and between 81 degrees 50 minutes, and 89 degrees 26 minutes, west longitude — and includes all that portion of territory which lies south and westward of a line, beginning on the Ohio river, at the mouth of the Great Sandy river, and running up the same, and the main and north-easterly branch thereof, to the great Laurel ridge or Cumberland mountains; thence south-west along said mountains, to a line of North Carolina. It is bounded north by Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio; east by Virginia; south by Tennessee; and west by the Mississippi river and State of Missouri. It is three hundred miles in length from east to west, and one hundred and fifty miles in mean breadth; and contains 42,600 square miles, or about twenty-seven million acres.
John Robert Talbert of Muhlenberg County drafted his last will on December 11, 1813, expressing concern for his wife and children. He directed that part of his property be sold to pay debts, with the remainder managed for his family’s benefit while his wife remains single. If she remarries, the estate should be sold, and the proceeds invested for their sons, Abner and Oliver, to inherit at age 21. His wife Nancy was appointed as executor. The will was proven in court in April 1814.
Francis Stump of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, made his last will on August 22, 1801, while facing illness. He appointed executors, including his wife Rachel, and bequeathed assets: 100 acres of his land and all personal belongings to Rachel, 100 acres to David Washbough, and 150 acres with a horse to George Hunsinger under specific conditions. He instructed the sale of certain lands to cover debts if necessary and revoked any previous wills. This testament reflects his wishes concerning estate distribution and care for family members. The will was validated in October 1801.
John Smith’s last will, dated March 26, 1803, outlines his wishes for his estate in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. He bequeaths his wife Mary a life interest in their plantation, two slaves, livestock, and household goods. His son Elias receives the plantation, several land parcels, and all unmentioned property. Daughter Elizabeth and stepson Jacob Keizer are granted 400 acres of land and slaves. Additionally, he allocates land and cattle to his niece Rachel and nephew Eric. Elias Smith and John Voight are named as executors, and all prior wills are revoked.
Frederick Sevier’s 1804 will outlines his wishes regarding the distribution of his estate. He instructs that all debts and burial expenses be paid before dividing his property. His wife, Caterina, receives their home and 15 acres for her lifetime. The remainder is to be divided equally among six of his children, with two sons receiving half of a full share and one son receiving a token amount. He appoints Solomon Rhodes and Jesse Jackson as executors and revokes any prior wills. The will was witnessed and recorded in Muhlenberg County.
Lenox Rose’s last will, dated August 28, 1806, bequeaths his estate to his wife Sarah Rose during her widowhood, with a provision that if she remarries, she will receive only certain items. The remainder of his estate is to be equally divided among their six children. Sarah is appointed as the executor of the will. The document was witnessed by William Cross, Isaac Davis, and Edward Williams, and was validated in court in October 1806.
Joseph Rhoads, in his 1799 will, bequeaths his estate as follows: his wife, Elizabeth, receives their current plantation and household goods for her lifetime. His sons Jacob and Henry inherit a plantation on Mud River, while John and Daniel receive another adjoining plantation. Daughters Mary and Andrew Hunsaker are granted 200 acres of land, and daughters Hannah, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Rachel will share the plantation after Elizabeth’s death. Jacob and Henry also inherit 200 acres in Pennsylvania. Rhoads appoints Solomon and Daniel Rhoads, along with Elizabeth, as executors. The will was validated in court later that year.
