Will of Joseph Bozorth

Will Book A, Nelson County, Kentucky, Pages 6-9

In the name of God, amen.  I, Joseph Bozorth, of the County of Nelson and State of Virginia and district of Kentucky, being thro the abundant mercy of God, tho weak in body, yet of a sound, perfect understanding and memory, do constitute this my last will and testament and desire it may be received by all as such.  Imprimis.  I most humbly bequeath my soul to God, my maker, beseeching his most gracious acceptance of it thro the all sufficient merits of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who gave himself appropriation for my sins and is able to save to the uttermost

all that come to God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them and who I trust will not reject me, a returning sinner, when I come to him for mercy in this hope and confidence, I render up my soul with comfort, humbly beseeching the most blessed and glorious trinity, one God most holy, most merciful, and gracious, to prepare me for the time of my dissolution and then to take me to himself into that peace and rest and incomparable felicity which he has prepared for all that love and fear his holy name, amen, blessed be God.

Imprimis.  I give my body to the earth from whence it was taken in full assurance of its resurrection from thence at the last day, as for my burial I desire it may be decent, without pomp or state, at the discretion of my dear wife and my executors hereafter named, who I doubt not will manage it with all required prudence.  As to my worldly estate I will and positively order that all my debts be paid.

Item.  I give to my dear and loving wife, for and during the time of her widowhood, this house wherein I now dwell, with all the furniture, lands and tenements, with appurtenances that is about if, for her use and benefit of her family, that the children may be brought up in a Christian like manner

to necessary schooling as far as they with reasonable conveniency can be taught.  That other tract of two hundred acres of land lying in Sovren Valley, adjoining lands of John Garret, deceased, as being a part of the same preemption, I will that my wife have it, to dispose of the said two hundred acres of land as she thinks fit.  To these my children that she has to raise up and my will is further that the other effects be equally divided for my seven youngest children, and if my wife should die before the children are raised, I will that all my estate be sold and be put out to use till they come to age, and the boys to be put to trades as they that are come to years sufficient may choose, as to the girls, I leave my wife to do as she thinks fit.  I will my rifle gun with the accoutrements, belonging to my son Joseph, besides his equal share with the rest.  But if my wife should marry, she shall not have any of my estate more than her thirds.  I will to my son David one cow and breeding sow, besides what he has already got.  Likewise, I will to my son John and all my daughters is now married, five shillings sterling apiece besides what they have already got.  I will that if any of the

Boys prove to be so unruly as not to be obedient to their mother, that the executors shall bind them out to trade.  I will that my friends and brethren, John Larue, Robert Hodgen, together with my beloved wife, and do constitute them executors of this my last will and testament, and trustees for my wife and children.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-fifth day of May in the year of our Lord 1790.

Joseph Bozorth

Witnesses present – William Anderson, Andrew Reed, Abner Bozorth

At a Court held for Nelson County on Tuesday the 14^th of December in 1901.  This last will and testament of Joseph Bozorth, deceased, was presented in court by Elizabeth Bozorth, an executrix therein named and proved by the oaths of William Anderson and Andrew Reed, subscribing witnesses thereto, and was ordered to be recorded.

Teste.  Ben Grayson, County Clerk