Old Wills

1787 Will of Charles Allison of Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Kentucky Will Book A, Pages 5-6

In the name of God amen.  I, Charles Allison, of the County of Bourbon and State of Virginia, being in imperfect health but of sound memory and understanding, calling to mind the uncertainty of this transitory life, knowing it’s appointed unto all men to die and for settling my temporal affairs and directing the distribution of my worldly estate it hath pleased almighty God to bless and bestow upon me, I do make and ordain this my last will and testament, revoking all other will or wills, by me heretofore made, ratifying and confirming this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following, but principally and first of all recommending my soul to almighty God who gave it, hoping through the merits of my blessed redeemer, Jesus Christ, to find redemption of my former sins and wickedness.

Imprimis.  It is my will and desire that all just debts should be paid out of the moneys due me and if there should not be a sufficiency then and in that case so much of my personal estate may be sold at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named, as will make up the deficiency.

It is my will and desire, I do give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Jane Allison, during her natural life, the plantation I now live on, together with the stock and farming utensils and at her decease, the land to be equally divided between my two sons, John and Alexander, giving unto John his choice of such division.  It’s my further desire that my said wife Jane do provide in such manner that after her

decease the stock belonging or then appertaining unto the estate may be equally divided among my children.  It’s my further desire that there shall be title made for two hundred acres of land as per agreement with Michael Hogg, that said land may be sold for stock – horse, cows and sheep – which said stock I desire may be equally divided among my children.  It’s my further desire that when a lawsuit depending now between myself and Colby Ship is determined that whatever money may arise to me therefrom may be applied to the purpose of perchance clothing necessaries for my wife and children at the discretion of my Executor, unless applied to the discharge of debts as above specified.

And I do constitute and appoint my beloved wife, Jane Allison, and my beloved son, John Allison, Executors to this my last will and testament, in testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this second of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven.

Charles Allison

In the presence of Benjamin Harrison, Mary Allison

At a Court held for Bourbon County at the Courthouse thereof on Tuesday the 8th day of December 1787

The last will and testament of Charles Allison, deceased was proved by the oaths of Benjamin Harrison and Mary Allison, witnesses thereto, and on the motion of Jane Allison, Executrix therein named was entered into and acknowledged bond in the penal sum of five hundred pounds, together with Benjamin Harrison, Esq., her security, and oath according to law.  Certificate is granted for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Test.  John Edwards, Cl. B. C.

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