Will of John Bland

Nelson County Will Book A, Pages 166-170

In the name of God, amen.  This fifth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, I, John Bland, of the county of Nelson and State of Kentucky, being in a weak and low state of health, but of perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, I do constitute, make and ordain this to be my last will and testament.  Principally and first I freely give and recommend my soul into the hands of almighty God who gave it me, my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a Christian-like and decent manner at the direction of my executors, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God who give it me, and as touching such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bestow on me in this life, I do give, devise and dispose of in manner and form following, viz.

Item.  First it is my will that Margaret, my dearly beloved wife, for her support during her natural life do

inherit all my estate, both real and personal, moveable or immoveable, unless such moieties as in this shall be hereafter mentioned to be given to my other heirs of my said estate and after her death mention to be made how to divide the same equally agreeable to my will and pleasure.

Item.  Secondly it is my will that my eldest son, Osborn Bland, be paid twenty pounds cash out of my said estate at the decease of my dearly beloved wife, Margaret.

Item.  Thirdly, it is my will that my eldest daughter, Prudence Smith, wife to Fleming Smith, be paid five pounds specie in like manner as above in case any of her heirs should ever come after the same and if not the same to be equally divided among my other heirs.

Item.  Fourthly, it is my will that my son Samuel Bland be paid thirty pounds specie to be paid in like manner as above specified.

Item.  Fifthly, it is my will that my son John Bland shall have a conveyance of a part of a tract of land I purchased of James Davis, with Jesse Davis his security, which conveyance I do allow my executors to make to my said son John, agreeable to a bond I now have on the said

James and Jesse Davis’ said land to begin at a dogwood and sugar tree corner to John Jenkinson and running with his line N 70 E 124 to a walnut and two red buds, standing inside.  Jenkinson’s line thence S 10 E 78 poles to one other line in said survey, thence with two other lines of said survey to the beginning.

Item.  Sixthly, it is my will that my two sons, Isaac and Elijah Bland, shall have the remaining part of the land I now hold on the waters of Simpson’s Creek, at the decease of my dearly beloved wife, Margaret, also one Negro.  Each of them is to have of the increase of my Negro woman Lucy, which it is my will that Isaac is to have the choice of the same, Isaac and Elijah is to pay forty pounds to the specie remaining part of my estate, to be paid in one year after the decease of my wife, Margaret.

Item.  Seventhly, it is my will that the remaining part of my moveable estate, together with my real estate, is to be equally divided among six of my children named – Mildred Hughes, Daniel Bland, William Bland, John Bland, Frances Hughes and Molly Randolph.

Item.  Eighthly, it is my will that Nancy Bland, daughter

to Henry Bland is to have twenty pounds specie, which is to come out of Mildred Hughes part of my estate.

Item.  Ninthly and lastly, it is my will that my dearly beloved wife, Margaret, together with Daniel and John Bland, my two sons, be my executors whom I do constitute and appoint of this my last will and testament and I also do revoke and disannul all and every other will or wills, legacy or legacies, bequeaths made by me, ratifying and confirming this to be my last will and testament.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and date first written.

John Bland

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of us – Anthony Thomson, Henry Jenkinson, Elisabeth Jenkinson

At a court held for Nelson County on Tuesday the 8^th day of December 1795

This last will and testament of John Bland, deceased, was proved by the oaths of Anthony Thompson, Henry Jenkinson and Elizabeth Jenkinson, subscribing witnesses thereto and sworn to be Margaret Bland, Daniel Bland and John Bland, Jr., executors therein named and

Ordered to be recorded.

Teste.  Benjamin Grayson, County Clerk