Will of James Clark
Submitted by Bonnie Snow
February 28 ad 1844
In the name of God Amen. I James Clark of the County of Grant and state of Kentucky being weak in body, But of sound mind and disposing mind blessed be Almighty God for the same do make and ordain this my last will and testament in [?] and form following viz. After my death, I will that my body be buried in a Christian like manner, and that my just debts be paid. And furthermore I will whatsoever of my personal or real estate I may die possessed of may be equally divided between my children that survive named Eleanor Ashcraft, Wm G. Clark's children my grandchildren I desire them to have their father's part, Eli Clark, James Clark, Louisa Buskirk.
I also will and desire that my son James Clark take the part of my grand children that is Wm Clark's children named by James Jesse Clark, John Riffle Clark, Elizabeth Jane Clark and keep until they are of age, and then account to them in money with six percent from the time within James Clark gets possession of their parts.
Attest his
Lemford A. Theobald } James X Clark { seal }
William P. Thomas } mark
Commonwealth of Kentucky Grant County
The foregoing Will and Testament of James Clark was produced in Court at
the May Term 1844, proven by the oaths Wm P Thomas and L. A. Theobald the
subscribing witnesses theseto, and ordered recorded which is duly done.
Attests Wm Smith clerk
On February 6, 1847, William Mountjoy Ashcraft was appointed administrator for
the Estate Settlement of James Clark.
Source: Probate Abstracts from Grant County, Book C, Page 40.
The Will of Henry Ashcraft
Submitted by Bonnie Snow
Williamstown Courrier, Thursday, May 15, 1890.
Died on the 10th instant, Henry Ashcraft, Sr., aged eighty years. Mr. Ashcraft was born and raised in this county and lived near Williamstown all his life. His wife died about two years ago. He leaves 12 children and was worth ath the time of his death form $10,000 to $15,000.
Henry Ashcraft is buried along side his wife Sarah, in the Williamstown Cemetery.
Will Book 1, Page 220: LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF HENRY ASHCRAFT
I Henry Ashcraft of Williamstown and County of Grant and State of Kentucky in this my last will and testament.
1st. I bequeath to my wife Sarah Ashcraft all my real estate in Williamstown also all my house hold and kitchen furniture her life time after her death all of the above named property to be sold by my Executors, and is left to their Judgement how to sell said property.
2nd. The proceeds of said sale to be equally divided with the named heirs to wit. J. T. Ashcraft, W. A. Ashcraft, N. B. Ashcraft, B. F. Ashcraft, Elizabeth J. Adams, R. A. Ashcraft, G. W. Ashcraft, C. L. Ashcraft, T. D. Ashcraft, Sarah A. Eckler, R. E. Ashcraft.
3rd. After my burial expenses is paid all of my cash notes and money to be left in the hands of my son R. A. Ashcraft and J. N. Eckler for the support of my wife and at her death if any of said fund be left it is to be divided equally amount the above named heirs.
4th. All of the live stock owned by me at my death and farming utensils and buggy to be sold and the proceeds of sale to be equally divided among the heirs named in this will.
5th. My farm lying on the waters of Grassy Creek of which is now divided into eleven lots. Lot No. one I give to my son T. D. Ashcraft. Lot no. two I give to my son W. A. Ashcraft. Lot No. three I give to my son G. W. Ashcraft. Lot No. four I give to my son N. B. Ashcraft. Lot No. five I give to my B. F. Ashcraft.
Lot No. six I give to my son R. A. Ashcraft. Lot No. seven I give to my son C. L. Ashcraft. Lot No. eight I give to my daughter Elizabeth J. Adams heirs. Lot No. nine to my son J. T. Ashcraft. Lot No. ten to my son B. F. Ashcraft. Lot No. eleven to my daughter Sarah A. Ecklers heirs.
I do here appoint my son R. A. Ashcraft and J. N. Eckler my executors with out any security.
I do this the 23rd. day of December 1883 sign this in the presence of two witnesses to be my last will and testament Attest Henry Ashcraft
John R. Bryan
(unreadable)
State of Kentucky
Grant County Court
Regular Term May 23rd. 1890
The foregoing instrument of writing was at the above term of Court filed in Open Court purporting to be the last will and testament of Henry Ashcraft deceased and after hearing the sworn proof of the attesting witness as to said instrument and other proof and the Court being fully advised it was ordered and
adjudged by the Court that said instrument is the last will and testament of the said deceased. I order to record it as such which is done this August 27th 1890.
James P. Webb Clerk
The Will of John E. Groves
Submitted by Sandra Burbridge
February 1, 1852
In the name of God Amen I John E. Groves of the county of Grant and state of Kentucky being sick in body but strong in mind, leave this my last and testament, this 1st day of February 1852, First I give my soul to the Lord and all my last debts and funeral expenses be paid. Then I give and bequeath to my beloved wife PRISCILLA her dowier in the land whereon I now live and such other property as the law provides
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter JULIA ane? Red? Caur? all the Ballance of my Property Real and Personal be Equally divided among my seven children SAMUEL, GEORGE, JAMES, ELIZABETH, HENRY, ADDISON and JOHN. My will and desire that after my death my executor sell my Personal Property an a Reasonable Credit not otherwise disposed of- my will and desire is that SAMUEL GROVES my son be my executor to carry ??? Efect in testamamy whereof I have hereinto set my hand and seal first above written. attest
T.T.Thompson
Samuel McClain John E. Groves seal (signs with an X)
William McClain
John Rulan
(NOTES: Samuel McClain is uncle and guardian of Rabecca Mclain, George's wife
Julian Annes is mentioned in the first part of will, but her inheritance is undetermined)
The Will of Aruthur McLain (McClain)
Submitted by Sandra Burbridge
In the name of God Amen. I Arthur McLain of the County of Harrison and the State of Kentucky on the twenty ninth day of March in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty Four being old and very sick but in my right mind and senses, leave this my last will and testament. First I leave Joseph McLain my son, my executor to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses. I then and bequeath to Joseph McLain my son five dollars. I give and bequeath to Jane Dunn my daughter five dollars. I give and bequeath to Samuel McLain my son five dollars. I give and bequeath Mary McLain my daughter, five dollars. I give and bequeath to Jonathan McLain five dollars, I give and bequeath to Susan McLain my daughter thirty six dollars and fifty cents. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah McLain all of my property at her disposal consisting of land, stock of all kinds farming utten??? Household and kitchen furniture during her natural life. After her deceased the balance to be equally divided among my six children as before named.
Given under my had and seal this day and date above written
Attest:
Thomas Thompson
Aaron Miller
Arthur McLain (x) his mark.
Harrison County Sct
November Court 1828
This last and will testament of Arthur McLain dec'd was produced in open court and proved by the oaths of Thomas Thompson and Aaron Miller the subscribing witness thereto and was ordered to be recorded.
C???Moore CCJCC
The Will of Richard Wortman
Submitted by Bonnie Snow
"I Richard Wortman of Campbell County and State of Kentucky being infirm of
body, but of sound mind do hereby make this my last will and testament in the
manner & form following viz: 1st it is my wish that immediately after my
decease after payment of my debts I give unto my beloved wife Mary Wortman
the whole "Wright" and priviledge of the place I now live on to be her's
during her natural life and it is my further wish that my above named wife
have to her benefit one third of my personal property during her natural
life. 2nd I give unto my beloved children viz: Elizabeth Ashcraft, Richard
Wortman, Abraham Wortman, Lydia Kelly, Rachel [Coock], Issac Wortman and
Nancy Kelly. It is my wish that Rachel Cook shall have the place she lives
on now in Grant County to her benefit and her children forever. It is my
further wish that the above named children shall have one equal part of my
real personal property. I charge James Ashcraft for a horse forty dollars
also another seventy five dollars and twenty five dollars too. I further
charge Nancy Kelly with forty five dollars. Lastly I do hereby constitute
David Rust and William Stewart executors of this my last will and testament
hereby making all other former wills by me revoked. Wherin I have set my
hand and affic my seal this 18th day of November 1835."
Teste:
Arron Wayman
Alfred Riley
Source: Campbell County, Kentucky Will Book C, Page 24
Richard Wortman's will was proved by the oath of Aaron Wayman & Alfred Riley
on the motion of Abraham Wortman and James Ashcraft at the December Court of
Campbell County, 1835.
Will of Peter New
Submitted by Sandra Burbridge
Abstracted County Court Records by Janet Pease
Wife Rachel daughters: Susannah New, 130 acres of my home tract Son: Michael 100 acres to be laid off adjoining his own present tract of land Daughters: Catharine New, Margaret MCClain, Sarah Dueease? and Nancy New- the rest of my land. Margaret McClain's portion of my land is to be laid off so as to include those improvements where she now lives. mentions that his daughter Susannah New is to keep all the blankets that she made since the death of "my son" John New. mentions bonds he holds against John Husk
Executor: son Michael
Witnesses: Jeremiah Morgan, Isaac Rainey
Peter signs with an X
written 15 July 1842 probated August 1842
Book E page 24. Grant County Wills
Leonard, Michael, 1838 - Grant Co.
WILL of MICHAEL LEONARD
Grant County 1838Book B - Page 203
Submitted by Beulah Franks
In the name of God Amen. I, Michael Leonard of the County of Grant and State of Kentucky, being weak of body but of sound mind knowing the uncertainly of life and the certainty of death, do make and ordain this my last will and testament. First it is my wish and desire that my funeral expenses shall be paid out of any effects that may be in my possession at the time of my decease. Secondly, that all my just debts shall be paid out of any of my personal property or monies that may be coming to me as soon as they can be conveniently done after my death. Thirdly, as for my children, Judith Collins, Peter Leonard, Thomas Leonard, Katherine Hickey? and Maria Leonard have been some time from my family and having been provided agreeably to my ability and design, I make no provisions for them out of any property or effects I have at present in possession except one dollar to be divided among them. Fourthly, as my youngest daughter, Elizabeth Leonard, is at present living with me and has the care of my family concerns, I give and bequeath to her the land and appurtenances on which I now live and having executed her a deed for the same; it is my wish and desire that the land deed be recorded and remain valid to her and her heirs, and after the payment of my funeral expenses and just debts all my personal property and dues? I give and bequeath to her, the said Elizabeth Leonard, to have and hold without sale or distribution; all my children being of mature age. Fifthly, as my daughter Polly Ann Leonard who lives with me is in ill health and greatly impaired in body and mind and could with no property hold, it is my wish and desire that she should remain with said daughter Elizabeth and enjoy a comfortable home so long as circumstances admit. Sixthly, should any property or effects hereafter accrue to me or my heirs out of my wife's estate it is my wish and desire that the whole of such property and effects should be equally divided among all my children as her heirs. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this
5th of March 1838.
Michael (X) Leonard
Test: Adam R. Walker Wm Points WilliamSechrest
State of Kentucky, Grant County
I, H. B. Smith, Clerk of the Court for the County aforesaid do certify that this will of Michael Leonard, dec'd, was produced to Court at the August Term 1838, and proven by the oaths of W. Points and W. Sechrest, two of the subscribing witnesses and ordered to be recorded, attest, H. B. Smith.Beulah Wiley
The last will and testament of Michael Leonard,
deceased, was produced in
Court of the August Term 1838, and proven by the oaths
of William Points
and William Sechrest, the two subscribing witnesses
thereto and ordered
to be recorded and is as follows, to wit:
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