Isaac Reese, son of Joel Reese and his wife, Esther Ann Keller, was born in Shenandoah, Virginia, September 24, 1786.  His mother was previously married to Alexander Stockslager with whom she had nine children.  Esther married Joel Reese in 1783, and had two sons – Joseph and Isaac.

Isaac Reese married Harriet Gardner September 15, 1819, in Shenandoah.  At some point they moved to Warren County, Kentucky.  Harriet died August 18, 1831, at the age of 43.  She is buried in Pioneer Cemetery in Bowling Green, also known as Old Bowling Green Cemetery.  Many of the stones are illegible, but I did get a picture of Harriet’s that is fairly easy to read.  Isaac and Harriet had at least one son, Washington L. Reese, who died in 1832, at the age of two years.  I found a list of those buried in this cemetery, which includes Harriet and her young son; also, Isaac and his second wife Angeline Roberts.

Isaac Reese married Angeline Roberts September 6, 1832.

Know all men by these presents that we, Isaac Reese and Edwin T. Roberts, are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Kentucky, in the penal sum of fifty pounds, for the true payment whereof, we bind ourselves, our heirs, jointly and severally by these presents, sealed with our seals, and dated this 5^th day of September 1832.  The condition of this obligation is such if there be no legal cause to obstruct a marriage shortly intended to be solemnized between the said Isaac Reese and Angeline Roberts, for which a license is about to issue, then this obligation to void, else to remain in full force and virtue.

Isaac Reese, Edwin T. Roberts

Was Edwin T. Roberts Angeline’s father or brother?

State of Kentucky, Warren County SCT.

Any person legally authorized is hereby permitted to join together in the holy state of matrimony Isaac Reese and Miss Angeline Roberts.  The said Isaac Reese having executed bond as in such cases required by law.  Witness my hand as clerk of the County Court of said County, this 5 day of September 1832. 

Executed by me September 6^th 1832.  F. W. Chancelor.

Isaac and Angeline had several children during their 20 years of marriage.  In the 1840 census there is one male less than 5 years – Isaac and Angeline had a son, Rolla, born in 1835 and died in 1845.  There are 2 males 20-29.  These two males could be sons from his first marriage, but the only child I know from the first marriage was son Washington who died in 1832.  They could also be farm hands that lived with the family.  One male, 50-59, Isaac.  There are two females under 5, Fanny and Hester.  One female 5-9 would be daughter Harriet.  One female 30-39 would be Angeline.  Six slaves are living on the property.

In 1850, Harriet A., Frances E. and Hester A. are listed as children of Isaac and Angeline, along with William aged 4 and Mary at 1 year.  Isaac is listed as 62, a mill wright, born in Virginia.  Angeline is 40, born in Kentucky.  Isaac owns 8 slaves at this time.

Isaac Reese died July 15, 1852, of liver cancer or heart trouble – both are listed as cause of death.  His parents are listed as unknown, but we know they are Joel and Esther Reese.

From the cemetery listing we know that Angeline Reese died two years later, June 29, 1854.  William and Mary were still very young children.  Harriet, at 18, probably kept the family together.

In the death records for 1876 we find daughter Frances listed as Mrs. Fannie Coleman, 38, died July 24, 1876, of consumption, daughter of Isaac and Angeline Reese.

And now the will of Isaac Reese.  I checked will records and found the original will of Isaac Reese.  As you can tell from the handwriting, he did not write the will, but his signature is that of an old man.  We may never know who wrote the will for him.  It is always exciting to find a will signed by the decedent.

Will of Isaac Reese

Warren County Wills, Loose Papers

I, Isaac Reese, of Warren County, do make the following as my last will and testament.

First.  It is my will that my wife retain in her possession my entire estate until my children shall be raised and educated, leaving to her discretion to advance to such of my children a reasonable portion of my estate and after my children are raised and educated, I desire my property to be divided among my wife and children as the same could be divided if I had made no will.  It being my will that whilst my wife retains the possession of my estate as above directed that it shall be used and managed for the use of my wife and children and should my said wife make any advancement to my children or any of them, such advancement shall be accounted for in the general division of my estate.  If my wife shall desire it advisable to sell any of my Negroes she is authorized to do so and vest the proceeds

in other Negroes.  The property devised to my wife and children to be kept and used for their separate use and not for the benefit of any other person whatever.  I appoint J. C. Wilkins and William V. Loving, executors of this my will.  Given under my hand and seal this 6^th day of July 1852.

                           Isaac Reese

Witness – J. C. Wilkins, Presley McGuire, F. C. Hennick

State of Kentucky, Warren County Court – July Term 1852

This last will and testament of Isaac Reese, deceased, was produced in court and proven by the oaths of J. C. Wilkins, Presley McGuire and F. C. Herrick, three subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded which is recorded accordingly.

Test.  C. E. Blewett, C.W.C.C.