Mercer County Courthouse, Will Book 1, Pages 53-55

Another of the early Mercer County wills while still part of the state of Virginia.

In the name of God, Amen.  The thirtieth day of March one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, I, Abraham James, of the County of Mercer and District of Kentucky, being sick and weak of body, but of sound mind and memory, thanks to God for it, and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed unto men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament.

Principally, and first of all, I give and recommend my soul unto the hands of God who gave it and my body I commit to the earth to be buried in a Christian-like and decent manner at the direction of my executor, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God.  And as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and dispose of the same in manner and form following.

Item – I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Mary one third part of my stock of horses and cattle, sheep and hogs, together with one third part of my household and kitchen furniture, together with all my plantation tools, also the benefits arising from the plantation whereon I now live, to be freely enjoyed and possessed by her forever, except the land, which I give to my son George, when he comes of age, allowing her, her thirds during her natural life.

Item.  It is my desire the remaining part of my stock of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, also the remainder of my household and kitchen furniture to be sold at public venue and the moneys arising therefrom to be put to interest and equally divided among all my children whenever they come of age.

It is also my desire that two hundred acres of land which I possess in the barrons should be sold when my children come of age and the money arising from such sale to be equally divided among all my children.  It is also my desire that the plantation whereon Francis Monfort now lives, together with two hundred acres adjoining it shall be rented out and the profits arising from such rent to be put to interest and equally divided among all my children as they come of age and when my two daughters, Sarah and Leah shall either marry of come of age this land shall be equally divided between them two and freely enjoyed and possessed by them and their heirs forever.

Item.  I give and bequeath to my son George three hundred acres of land, it being the tract of land whereon I now live

to be freely enjoyed and possessed by him and his heirs forever, allowing my wife her thirds during her natural life.

Item.  I nominate and appoint William Crow and Robert Mosby, executors, and my wife Mary, executrix, of this my last will and testament, utterly revoking, disannulling and making void all other wills, legacys and bequeaths by me before now named or mentioned, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.

Abraham James

Signed, sealed and pronounced in presence of William Rice, Philip Fulkerson, Francis Monfort

Item.  It is my desire that my wife Mary should have one feather bed and furniture and one horse and saddle more than I have mentioned in her legacy.  Witnessed by us – William Rice, Philip Fulkerson, Francis Monfort

Abraham James

At a court held for Mercer County at the Courthouse on Tuesday, the 24^th day of May 1791

This last will and testament of Abraham James, deceased, was exhibited into court and proved by Philip Fulkerson and Francis Monfort, two subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.

Teste.  Thomas Allin, C. C.