Will for Thomas Arnold

December 18, 1835

Source: Owen County, Kentucky

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December 18, 1835

In the name of God Amen.  I make this my last Will and Testament.  I do wish in the first case if it should please God to take me from time hence to be decently intered into the Earth from which I came.

After this is done, I wish everything to stand or remain as it is after my last debts are paid for four years then at the end of four years I wish my land to be divided into five equal parts and divided among my children.

I further wish that my beloved wife shall hold and keep the part that the house stands on and the houses.

I further wish that my negro girl named Mariah is to belong to my wife during her lifetime, not to be removed and a child's part of all my other property.

And my wish is that my son in law William Sanford remain on the premises for four years to take charge of my wife.

If he thinks proper I furthermore wish that my man Jacob shall be hired out and he to have the choosing of his master and the proceeds of his hire to be equally divided among the heirs.  I further wish my man Jacob to have a chance to hire himself or the heirs to give him a reasonable chance to pay for himself at a fair price.

I furthermore wish that my negro woman Malinda shall be free at my death and I wish her to have two acres of land out of my wife's part for her to have and to hold during her lifetime not to be interrupted by any of the children provided she is industrious and frugal.  I further wish that said Malinda should attend and wait on my wife when necessary.

As witness my hand this 18th December 1835.

Thomas Arnold

Test Jno S. Hampton
Alexander Byrns

Kentucky Owen County Court ___

April Term 1836

An instrument of writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Thomas Arnold decd was produced in court and proven to be the last Will and Testament of said Arnold by the oaths of John S. Hampton and Alexander Byrns witness thereto, and there being no executor named and the widow refusing to take upon herself the burden of the administration, on motion of Simeon Arnold letters of administration with the will _______ is granted him on the estate of Thomas Arnold decd and thereupon the said Simeon Arnold entered into and executed bond with James Ro__and, William Sanford his securities conditioned according to law, and the same is admitted to record.

Att. J.C. Bacon, clk.