Today I share with you the will of Daniel Brower who died in Mercer County, District of Kentucky, State of Virginia – still a member of the Old Dominion at this point in time!  This a most interesting will as it names all his living children, and gives the husband’s names for each of his daughters!  The will was written January 15, 1791, and produced in court slightly more than a month later.  This will can be found on pages 49 and 50 of the first will book for Mercer County.

In the name of God amen.  I Daniel Brower of the County of Mercer and District of Kentucky, being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, calling to  mind that it is ordained for all men once to die, do make this my last will and testament as follows.  Viz.  I give and bequeath to my eldest son Abraham Brower my Bible and a cow, to him and his heirs forever.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my son Daniel Brower my long gun to him and his heirs forever.

It is further my will that the remainder of my estate, both real and personal, as well my lands in Pennsylvania, as any personal estate in Kentucky and Pennsylvania be sold to the best and highest bidder by my executors hereafter to be named and the money arising therefrom

to be divided as followeth.  To my daughter Leah Stagg, wife of James Stagg, one eight part to her and her heirs forever.

To my daughter Susannah Demaree, wife of Samuel Demaree, one eighth part to her and her heirs forever.

To my son Abraham Brower one eighth part to him and his heirs forever.

To my daughter Rachel Commingo, wife of Henry Commingo, one eighth part to her and her heirs forever.

To my daughter Mary Demaree, wife of Samuel Demaree, Junior, one eighth part to her and her heirs forever.

To my son John Brower one eighth part to him and his heirs forever.

To my daughter Phoebe Demaree, wife of Cornelius Demaree, one eighth part to her and her heirs forever.

To my son Daniel Brower one eighth part to him and his heirs forever.

It is also my will that my wearing clothes be considered as excepted above and that my executors divide them equally between my sons Abraham Brower, John Brower and Daniel Brower to them and their heirs forever.  It is also my will that my two sons Abraham Brower and John Brower and Samuel Demaree Senior do execute this my last will and testament.  In testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this fifteenth day of January one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one.

Daniel Brower

Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence of us – Peter Demaree, Francis Monfort, John Demaree

At a court held for Mercer County at the Courthouse on Tuesday the 22^nd day of February 1791.

This last will and testament of Daniel Brower, deceased, was exhibited into Court and proved by the oaths of Peter Demaree and Francis Monfort, two subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.

Teste.  Thomas Allin, Court Clerk