The will of John Smith of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky is found in Will Book 1:5-7, digitized and available on FamilySearch. Note by the handwriting that these records appear to be a hand copied transcription of the originals.
John Smith’s Will
In the name of God Amen.
The twenty sixth day of March 1803 I John
Smith of the County of Muhlenberg and State
of Kentucky Planter being very sick and weak
in body, but of perfect mind memory thanks
to God therefor Calling to mind the mortality
of my body and knowing that it is appointed
for all men once to die I 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 to God that
give it and my body I recommend to the
earth to be Buried at the Direction of my
Executors nothing Doubting but at the general
resurrection I shall received the same again
by the Mighty power of God and as touching
such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased
God to Bless me on this ways I give and dis-
pose of the same in the following manner
and form. First I do give to my well beloved
wife Mary I have her living on the plantation
that I now live on during her life. I also give
her a negro Called Milly and one called Batt
Also four cows during her life if she shall
need them one riding mare 1500 wt. of Flouer
500 wt. of Bacon her bed and household
furniture to Dispose of as she thinks proper
Next I give to my well beloved son Elias Smith
the place I now live on and mill also fifty
acres of Land a part of a survey Bought of
Saml Fulton also a survey of 68 acres
Joining the place I now live on also
a survey of 200 acres entered in the name
of Magdelena also I give him all the
rest of my property that is not mentioned
in this my will and Testament I also
allow him to keep Magdelena my well
beloved Daughter during her life next I
do give my well beloved Daughter Elizabeth
and my Stepson Jacob Keizer 400 acres of Land
100 acres of Military Bought Matthew Ham
100 entered in the name of John Moviller 200
entered in the name of John Bradley also
a negro called Charles and one called John
next I give my well beloved nieces Rachel
Tennett and Eve Tennett 200 acres of Land
Entered in the name of Elias Smith also one cow
to each of them I also give 200 acres of Land entered in my
name to my daughter Elizabeth and Jacob Keizer and
further I do constitute and appoint my son Elias and
John Vought to be the Executors of this my last will
and Testament I do hereby utterly disallow and Revoke
all former Testaments and Wills. By this in Witness
wherof I have hereunto set my name and seal
the day and date above.
John Smith (Seal)
Signed sealed published and pronounced
and delivered by the said John Smith as
his last will and Testament in the presence
of us subscribers. John Vought, John Hopkins
John Zimmerman Saml Weir
Muhlenberg County Sct.
May Term 1803
The last will and Testament of John
Smith Dec’d was exhibited into Court and
proved by the Oathes of John zimmerman
John Hopkins and Samuel Weir subscribed
witnesses thereto and Ordered to be recorded.
Att. C.F. Wing Clerk.