Captain George Givens was born in Orange County, Virginia, in December 1740, the son of Samuel Caleb Givens and Sarah Cathey. George was born after his father’s death, but was provided for in his will – “if it happens the child my wife goes with proves a manchild, my four male heirs must purchase the child, if it lives to come to age, three hundred acres of land to him and his heirs forever.”

George Givens gave many years of service to his country. He was captain of the Botetourt County Militia during the Revolutionary War and fought with George Rogers Clark in the Northwest Campaign in 1778. George is listed on the Revolutionary Soldiers of Lincoln County, Kentucky, located on an outside wall of the courthouse in Stanford.

George married Rachel Black about 1767, the daughter of Alexander and Jane Black. Eight children (sons and sons-in-law) are mentioned in his will, as was a grandson, Larkin Givens.

1. Samuel Givens
2. James Givens
3. William Givens
4. George Givens
5. John Givens – Catherine Wallace
6. S-I-L Alexander Givens – Jane Givens?
7. S-I-L Abraham Miller – Sarah Givens
8. S-I-L Robert Walker – Rachel Givens
9. Grandson Larkin Givens – son of ?

Rachel Black Givens died three years before her husband. He made a new will November 15, 1822, six months after her death.

Will of George Givens, Senior

Lincoln County Will Book H, Page 63

In the name of God, Amen.  I, George Givens, Senior, of Lincoln County and State of Kentucky, being of lawful age and of sound mind and memory, do by these presents constitute the following to be my last will and testament in manner and form as followeth, revoking every other will or wills ever by me made.

First.  It is my will that all my just debts be punctually paid.

Second.  It is my will that my Executor hereafter to be named pay to my grandson Larkin Givens one thousand dollars which thousand dollars is to rest in the hands of George Givens, Junior, and J. Givens, and not to pay interest till said Larkin Givens arrives to twenty one years of age.  In case of the death of said Larkin Givens before he arrives at the age of twenty one years, then the said thousand dollars is to be equally divided amongst all my children.

Third.  It is my will that all my Negroes and stock and every other kind of property belonging to me be sold or otherwise divided amongst all my children, that is to say, Samuel Givens, James Givens, my son-in-law Alexander Givens, Abraham Miller, William Givens, George Givens,

Junior, John Givens and Robert Walker.

Fourth.  I do hereby constitute and appoint Abraham Miller to be sole Executor of this my last will and testament.  Given under my hand and seal this 15^th day of November 1822.

                                      George Givens

Witness – James Logan, James Tinsday, Robert Logan

Kentucky, Lincoln County

At a County Court held for the County of Lincoln at the Court House in the town of Stanford on Monday the 14^th day of March in the year 1825.  The last will and testament of George Givens, deceased, was exhibited into court and proven by the oaths of James Logan and Robert Logan, two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.  And on the motion of George Givens it is ordered that the clerk of this county issue a summons against Abraham Miller, the Executor named in the will, to show cause of why will not take upon himself the burden of the execution of the said will.  And afterwards, at a County Court held for the county aforesaid on Monday the 13^th day of June in the year aforesaid, Abraham Miller, the Executor named in the last will and testament of George Givens, deceased, came into Court and declareth that he will not take upon himself the execution of said will.  Whereupon on the motion of George Givens, who made oath as the law directs and executed bond in the penalty of six thousand dollars, with James Givens and Robert Walker, his securities, with a proper condition, ordered that a certificate be granted him for obtaining letters of administration with the will ? of George Givens, deceased, in due form of law.

Witness Thomas Helm, Clerk, Lincoln County Court, Kentucky