Muhlenberg County Kentucky
Wills: R
Joseph Rhoads, 1799
In the name of God Amen. I Joseph Rhoads of the county of Muhlenberg being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God, calling unto 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 recommend my soul into the hand of God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again 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 demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
First I give and bequeath to Elizabeth my dearly beloved wife this plantation that I now live on to be hers her life time together with my household goods and stock.
Secondly to my eldest sons Jacob and Henry Rhoads I give and bequeath that plantation on Mud River freely to dispose of as they see cause.
Thirdly to my two sons John and Daniel Rhoads I give and bequeath that plantation adjoining this that I now live on which I bought of Roberson to be theirs freely to dispose of as they see cause.
Fourthly to my daughters, Mary and Andrew Hunsaker I give and bequeath that 200 acres of land adjoining Jacob Severs Sr. to be theirs freely to dispose of as they see cause.
Fifthly to my daughters Hannah, Elizabeth, Catherine and Rachel Rhoads I give and bequeath the plantation that I now live on to be theirs after my wife's death to be equally divided amongst them.
Sixthly I give and bequeath to my two oldest sons to Jacob and Henry Rhoads 200 acres of land in Pennsylvania Fayette County to be theirs freely to dispose of as they see cause.
This being my last will and testament all freely to be processed and enjoyed and I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and disannul all and every other former testaments wills begaries bequests and executors by me in any wise before formed willed and bequested 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 seventeenth day of September In the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Nine.
The above will and my last testament I appoint Solomon Rhoads and Daniel Rhoads and my wife Elizabeth to be the executors of my will.
Signed in the presence and sealed.
Joseph Rhoads
Tested in presence of us.
Henry Rhoads
Henry his x mark Right
Andrew his x mark Hunsaker
Solomon Rhoads
Muhlenberg County Sct.
November Term 1799.
The last will and testament of Joseph Rhoads Decd. was produced in court and proved by the oaths of Henry Rhoads and Solomon Rhoads subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Att. Chs. F. Wing.
Source: Muhlenberg County Kentucky Will Book 1, pp. 21-25.
Note: Pages 22 & 23 are blank.
Updated August 13, 2022