In my last blog we talked about Bartholomew Wood, his move after the Revolutionary War to Christian County, Kentucky, and his involvement with the city of Hopkinsville. If you remember the photographs from that post, the new monument for Bartholomew Wood said he died in Christian County November 26, 1827. That is not true. At some point before his death, Bartholomew Wood returned to his land in Warren County, Tennessee, (southeast of Christian County, Kentucky) and spent his remaining days there. This was mentioned in an 1884 article in the Semi-Weekly South Kentuckian published in Christian County. It said most of his children went with him, but returned to Christian County after his death. Evidently the committee who raised the new gravestones didn’t do their research!
Will of Bartholomew T. Wood
Christian County Will Book E, Pages 232-236
In the name of God, Amen. I, Bartholomew Woods of Warren County and State of Tennessee, being sick and weak of body but of sound mind and disposing memory (for which I thank God) and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly substance as it hath pleased God to bless me with, I therefore give and bequeath the same in the manner following.
That is to say, firstly I will that out of my personal estate that all and every of my just debts be paid.
Secondly my beloved companion, Martha Wood, I will that she live on this tract of land on which we now live and to enjoy therewith all and every of the household furniture and one Negro girl named Lydia, during her natural life unexceptionally. I further will that those of my friends who may be appointed to execute the same shall lay her off as much stock and utensils as may be deemed sufficient for her comfortable support.
Thirdly. Elizabeth Douglass, Mary Gist, Charlotte Wood, Patsy Millholland, Tempy Robards, I will that these five daughters above named have an equal share of the property after these three sons hereafter named, have their three tracts of land apportioned to them.
Fourthly I will that my sons Hardin Wood, Curtis Wood and William Wood, have in fee simple the three tracts of land, to wit two hundred acres in the County of Warren and State of Tennessee and two other tracts in Christian County and State of Kentucky, one assignee of Elizabeth Fortnar and the other John Tadlock assignee.
Fifthly. I will that my daughter Sarah Cornelius have in portion twenty-five dollars.
Sixthly. I will that Bartholomew Wood and Carter T. Wood, each of them have in portion twenty-five dollars each.
Seventhly. I will that all the perishable property, together with eleven Negroes, be sold and that the proceeds of the same be equally divided among Hardin Wood, Curtis Wood and William Wood, and Elizabeth Douglass, Mary Gist, Charlotte Wood, Patsy Millholland, Tempy Robards and that each have and enjoy their equal share thereof and that none other of my heirs have or enjoy any more of my property than that portion given them of twenty-five dollars each and that the perishable property given above to my wife, after her death, be sold and equally divided among those of my three sons and five daughters above named, agreeable to the terms of
this my will.
Eighthly. I will that Hardin Wood, Curtis Wood and William Wood pay Col. William Douglass his debt out of their land, estate or otherwise and that each of the above individuals to divide or approportion the same that each may pay one equitable part thereof.
And lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint William Douglass and William Stroud, Senr., executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other or former wills or testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I do hereunto set my hand and seal this the twelfth day of November in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and twenty-four.
Bartholomew Wood
Signed, sealed and delivered and declared to be the last will and testament of the above-named Bartholomew Wood in the presence of the witnesses to the same. Attest. Kinchin Matthews, J. K. Wells. Underlined before signed.
State of Tennessee, Warren County – January Session 1828
Be it remembered that on Monday of said session, the last will and testament of Bartholomew Wood was presented in Open Court for probate when the following order was made. To wit, the last will and testament of Bartholomew Wood was proven in open court by the oath of Kinchin Matthews and ordered to remain for further probate hereafter and at the next session, to wit, at April Session 1828. The following order was made to wit – The last will and testament of Bartholomew Wood was this day proven in open court by John K. Wells, the other subscribing witness thereto. It having been proven at a former term of this court by Kinchin Matthews and thereupon ordered to be so certified for registration. Whereupon William Douglass and William Stroud, executors of said will were duly qualified as such and gave bond and security as the law directs.
State of Tennessee, Warren County
I, Joseph Colville, Clerk of the County Court of pleas and quarter sessions for the County of Warren, aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the last will and testament of Bartholomew Wood, deceased, together with the record and proceedings had thereon as remaining in my office. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and privet seal, there being no seal of office at office this 16th April 1828, and of the Independence of the United States the fifty-second.
Joseph Colville, Clerk, Benjamin L. Colville, D. C.
State of Tennessee, Warren County
I, Thomas Pars, Chairman of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Warren aforesaid, do certify that Joseph Colville, who signed the within certificate is and was clerk of our Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions at the time of signing the same and that due faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts as such. Given under my hand and seal this 16th day of April 1828.
Thomas Pars, Chairman for Warren County aforesaid
Christian County Court – May 5th 1828
The foregoing certified copy and probate of the last will of Bartholomew Wood, deceased, was this day produced in court by William Stroud, Senior, one of the executors therein named. Whereby it appeared that the original will was on file and of record in the State of Tennessee and whereas it also appeared that a part of the estate devised by said will is in the State of Kentucky, upon the motion of the said William Stroud, Senior, it is ordered that the copy of the said will, with the certificates thereto annexed be admitted to record and in pursuance of the said order, it is admitted to record accordingly.
Attest. Abram Stitch, C. C. C. C.
Categories: Old Wills
