Last Will & Testament of Thomas James who settled on
6 mile creek, Henry County Kentucky and is now buried thereabouts in James
Cemetery. Transcription from a photocopy of the original Will, provided by the
Henry County Historical Society.
Transcribed and Contributed By:
Richard James, G-G-Great grandson.
Thomas James
Last Will and
Testament
December 15, 1831
In the name of God, Amen. I Thomas James of the County of
Henry and State of Kentucky, being sick & weak in body, but of sound mind and
disposing memory, (Too which I thank God)
and calling to mind the uncertainty of Human Life and being
desirous to dispose of all such worldly estate as it has pleased God to keep me
with. Asking only to be consigned to the Earth by a plain decent burial without
pomp or parade. But any (Alone I commend to God to grant it) in hope of a
glorious immortality.
First: I desire that my funeral debts be discharged as soon
as possible.
Second: To my beloved wife Sarah James, I give all my
personal property, except such things as shall hereafter be mention of during
her matriarchy.
Third: Should I receive any compensation from the
Government of the United States, for services rendered and losses sustained in
the Revolutionary war. I will real and equal distribution of it be made to my
wife Sarah and children to me, John, Thomas, William, David, Joseph, Charles,
Jonathan, Daniel, Sarah & Mary.
Fourth: I give to my daughter Sarah intermarried with
William Adams due them any acres of land whereon they not live, bounded as
follows. Beginning on my corner of the main creek of Six Mile, on he East side
thereof adjoining the land of Mr. Roberts, up the creek with my line to Woodcock
branch, then on up said branch so far as may be necessary to make the
compliment.
Running hence a parallel line with the line out the main
creek to the line between Sarah Roberts and my land, hence with the line to the
beginning.
Fifth: I give to my daughter Mary all the remaining part of
any tract of land that lies East of that parcel of land I give to her Sister
Sarah, supposed to contain three hundred acres, set the Claus to more or less to
be conveyed to her as soon as practicable.
Sixth: I give to my Sons Jonathan & Daniel and to my
daughters Mary a Horse each, those they normally claim at this time.
Seventh: I give to my beloved wife Sarah James my farm with
all its benefits during her matriarchy.
Eighth: I give to my daughter Mary besides what is already
specified a Bed & furniture a Cow & Sheep.
Ninth: I direct as soon as my personal or Real Estate be
sold or disposed of them, that the proceeds be divided equally to my children as
named in the 3rd section of my will.
SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Tenth: I
direct that a formal appraisement be dispensed with that an inventory will be
sufficient.
Eleventh & Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my
friends David Demaree & John L. Hall executors of this my last will & testament,
hereby revoking all others or former will or testaments by me heretofore made.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
my Seal this Fifteenth day of December in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred &
Thirty One, Signed Sealed Published Will. Declared as & for the last will and
Testament of the above named Thomas James in presence of us subscribing before
Signed.
Gowan Adkins
John Manford
Thomas James (Sr)
Henry County Court House June 1836
A writing purporting to be the last will and Testament of
Thomas James deceased was this day produced here into court and proven by the
Oath of John Manford a subscribing witness thereto,
Who also made Oath that Gowan Adkins the other subscribing
witness thereto is not an inhabitant of this Commonwealth or that his place of
residence is unknown and that the Signature of said Adkins to said will is the
hand writing of and proper signature of said Adkins, whereupon said writing is
ordered to record.
A Copy Test: Eli R. Howard C.
By: Ben Thomas D.C.
|