The first will in the Bullitt County Will Book A is not that of a resident of the county. Instead, it is a copy of the will of Jacob Myers of Lincoln County. This will was written October 1, 1796, and probated in Lincoln County November 8, 1802. A copy was sent to Bullitt County because Jacob Myers owned property there – land near Bullitt Lick and four islands above the mouth of Green River. No wife is mentioned, his property is given to brother Lewis Myers, to help pay for brother Christian’s care. Then the rest is to be divided between his brother’s children. However, if niece Rebecca marries Burkett Hughes, she is to receive no part. Wonder what was wrong with Mr. Hughes?
All in all, this will is very similar to many others, except for owning land in Bullitt County and having a copy of the will listed in its will book. I have seen the will in the Lincoln County book and it is exact to the one following, just a different spelling of Jaert Myer’s name. Since Jacob Myers mentions deeds of conveyance and clearing out lands and land patented in his name it sounds like he owned quite a bit of property.
This will is also found in Lincoln County Will Book A, pages 287-288.
Will of Jacob Myers
Bullitt County Will Book A, Pages 2-4
In the name of God, amen. I, Jacob Myers, of the County of Lincoln, being in good health and sound and disposing memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament. (To wit). It is my will and desire that all my just debts should be paid out of my estate by my executors hereinafter named and the residue thereof I dispose of in the following manner.
First. I desire that so much of my land be sold near Bullitt Lick as will purchase two good Negro men for Lewis Myers. They are to be his property, he obligating himself to give my brother Christian a decent maintenance during life, also my four islands above the mouth of Green River and then to have an equal share with all the rest of my brother’s children as I shall hereafter mention after all my just debts are paid, all my lands to be equally divided amongst all my brother’s children, Valentine, Peter and Jaert Myers, all their children to have equal share only Jaert Myers’ daughter Rebecca to
have nothing out of my estate if she marries Burkett Hughes, others are to have equal with the rest of my brother’s children. It is understood that if Lewis Myers shall fail in maintaining said Christian in a decent manner, the Negroes to be hired out for said Christian’s use, after his death to be the property of said Lewis. I empower Lewis Myers, James Thompson, both of Lincoln County, State of Kentucky, and David Shriver, son of David Shriver of Frederick County, Maryland, my executors to this my last will and testament and do empower my said executors to execute proper deeds of conveyance to the several persons for whom I have cleared out lands on the share and others who can produce a just claim to any land that may be surveyed and patented in my name and also those to whom I have given my obligation for the conveyance of any particular tract of land, the several tracts of land and the other legacies herein before bequeathed are given to the several legatees and their heirs forever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of October 1796.
Jacob Myers
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Jacob Myers to be his last will and testament in presence of us – John Rose, Enoch Burdett, Margaret Ellison
A true copy, teste, Thomas Montgomery, C.L.C.C.
At a County court held for Lincoln County on Monday the 8th day of November 1802, the last will and testament of Jacob Myers, deceased, was produced in court and proved by Enoch Burdett and Margaret Ellison, witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded.
Kentucky, Lincoln County
I certify that the within is a copy of the will of Jacob Myers and the above a copy of the record of the proof thereof. Witness my hand this 17th day of March 1804. Thomas Montgomery, Clerk of Lincoln County Court
At a county court held for Bullitt County on Monday the 23rd day of April, 1804
The foregoing copy of the last will and testament of Jacob Myers, deceased, was
the legal proof produced in court by John Myers and with the certificates hereon endorsed ordered to be recorded, which is done accordingly.
Teste. Frederick W. S. Grayson, C.B.C.C.
Categories: Old Wills
