John Simpson
Will
Submitted by Rick Giirtman
January
5, 2001
Source: Will Book 1 page 195
I John Simpson Sen. of Laurel County and Kentucky being low in health but of a Sound mind knowing the certainty of death and the uncertainty of life do make this my last will and testament. First that my bodie be decent buried and after my funeral expenses be paid.
Second. That all my just debts be paid it ______ this my Will that my wife Deborah Simpson, have all my property her natural life time or in during widowhood. To wit. The tract of land which I now live being from Wm. Pearl, an the lower half of the _____ tract from the Cross fence down and that my Son John Simpson Jun. have __ ___ half from the Cross fence up, and after my Wifes death or marriage the ballance of the land to be divided between my two sons. To wit. John Simpson and Baley(? or Bales?) to be divided agreeable to quantity and quality, and after my Wifes death or marriage it is further my Will, that my personal property be divided between all the ballance of my Children. Signed and acknowledged in the presence of John Johnson and John Phillips and John Freeman.
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Will _____ of my ______ or lost or mislaid to the best of my recollection.
John Johnson
Laurel County Court August Term 1840
A paper purporting to be a true copy of the last Will and
testament of John Simpson Dec'd was this day produced in Court and proven by the
oath of John Johnson, and John Phillips, who were subscribing witnesses to the
Original Will, to be a copy of said Will. Proof was also made before the court
by the said Witnesses that the Original Will was Signed & acknowledged by the
testator in the presence of them and that the testator was of Sound mind and
disposing memory at the time. Proof was also made by the said Johnson that the
Original Will was deposited with him for safe keeping and that after the death
of said Simpson he ascertained that said original Will was lost or mislaid, and
that the Same could not be found. It is therefore ordered by the Court that the
copy of Said original Will be admitted to record Which is done accordingly.
W. H. Randall Clk