These wills from the early days of the beginning of our state, when it was still a district of the state of Virginia, are very interesting to read.  I can’t help but wonder, since Joseph Lindsay said he was in perfect health, if he wasn’t soon to leave to fight in the Indian wars of this time period, and that was why he wrote his will.  It says in the court information that John Ray was the only surviving witness – perhaps John Kennedy was also a soldier in that same fight, and lost his life in battle.  Doesn’t it make you realize how dangerous those early days were for those brave settlers who came from established states to be part of the early history of the state of Kentucky?  After doing a bit more research I can answer my own question – yes these two men were killed August 19, 1782, at the Battle of Blue Licks.  There is a marker in Robertson County that lists those involved in the battle.  Joseph Lindsay and John Kennedy are both listed as ‘killed’.  Joseph Lindsay’s wife Ann Kennedy, was a sister to John Kennedy.

Taken from Lincoln County Will Book 1, pages 6 and 7.

I, Joseph Lindsay, of Lincoln County and State of Virginia, being in perfect health and sound in memory, do make and constitute this to be my last will and testament.  First I recommend my body to the earth to be buried in a decent manner and my soul I recommend to God who gave it, nothing doubting but I shall receive the same again by the almighty power of God.  And touching my worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give and bequeath to my  loving wife Ann Lindsay the whole of movable estate and Negroes now in my possession or to become in my possession by any bargain heretofore made and all money that may be due me for public services, also one hundred pounds due me by bond from Samuel Lindsay, also one thousand acres of land laying in the forks of Elkhorn obtained by certificate from the Commissioner of the district of Kentucky, granted to Fulton Lindsay and conveyed to me by a bill of sale from said Lindsay baring date 12^th day of April, 1781.  The said Ann is to pay Fulton Lindsay, Jr., at the time he arrives to the age of twenty-one, two hundred pounds provided she obtains a legal title for the same, also to pay of the heirs of William Page, deceased.  Secondly I give and bequeath to Joseph Lindsay, junior son to William Lindsay, my own titlement and five hundred acres of my preemption adjoining the same to him and his heirs forever.  Thirdly I give and bequeath to Fulton Thomson the other five hundred acres of my preemption, joining Joseph Lindsay’s land.  And fourthly I bequeath to Lindsay Thomson a state warrant of four hundred acres, joining Robert Thomson’s preemption.  Fifthly I allow and bequeath to my brother, Arthur Lindsay, four hundred acres of land entered on a state warrant in his own name, joining his own settlement of four hundred acres to him and

his heirs forever.  And I appoint my wife, Ann Lindsay, and my brother, William Lindsay, executors of this my last will and testament.  In witness I have set my hand and seal this 11^th July, 1782.

Joseph Lindsay

Witnesses present, John Kennedy, John Ray

At a Court held for Lincoln County the 21^st of January, 1783

This instrument of writing was exhibited in Court as the last will and testament of Joseph Lindsay, deceased, and proved by the oath of John Ray, the only surviving witness and ordered to be recorded.

Test. William May, Clerk