I decided to visit Washington County, Kentucky, today.  Specifically, the older wills.  I chose the will of Henry Spalding, located in Will Book A, Pages 189-191. 

Henry was a young man, having married Nancy Moore four months earlier on February 12, 1801, the return signed by Baldwin Clifton. 

A surprising note in the will is the fact that he lists himself as a shoemaker.  What if occupation was in every will?  A great piece of information that would most likely have been lost forever.  In his will he leaves one-third of his land and property to his wife Nancy, the other two-thirds to his siblings – Peter, Richard, Thomas, Anne and Mary Spalding.  Was Henry the eldest of the family?  The first to marry?  There is a clause that if wife Nancy is pregnant and gives birth to a child within nine months, the child is to receive everything.

Henry’s inventory is on page 199 in Will Book A.  In it are listed 3 horses, 1 colt, one cow and calf, 2 heifers, a brindle cow and calf, a sow and 5 pigs, 11 head of young hogs, farming equipment, a double barrel shotgun, one bridle and saddle, two chairs, a chest and table, one bed stead.  Another interesting part – shoemaker’s tools!  A pair of saddle bags and wearing apparel.  The total amount was 54 pounds, 5 shillings and 6 pence.  This inventory was dated September 4, 1801.

On page 519 of Washington County Will Book A is the settlement for Henry Spalding.  This settlement is dated June 18, 1808 – seven years after Henry’s death.  Henry’s estate was worth 62 pounds 13 shillings and 10 pence, but the administrators paid out 73 pounds, 5 shillings and 4 pence.  The administrators were owed 10 pounds 11 shilling and ten pence.  I’m not sure who paid this amount.

In some accounts I have seen that Nancy Moore Spalding gave birth to a son, Henry Spalding, January 13, 1802, about six months after this will was written, but I have no proof.

Will of Henry Spalding

Washington County Will Book A, Page 189 – 191

In the name of God amen.  I, Henry Spalding, of Washington County and State of Kentucky, shoemaker, being very sick of body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God for it.  Calling unto mind the mortality of the body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die, do make

and ordain this my last will and testament.  That is to say, principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul in to the hands of almighty God that give it and my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again the mighty power of God, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me within this life, I give, devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

First. I give and bequeath to Nancy, my dearly beloved wife, one third of all my estate, both real and personal, also to my brother Ignatius Spalding I give my wearing clothing, also I give other two-thirds of my estate to my brothers and sisters Peter, Richard, Thomas Spalding, Anne and Mary Spalding.  Nevertheless, it is to be understood that if my wife Nancy Spalding should have a child within nine months of this date it is to be soul heir of all my estate both real and personal and I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disannul all and every other form, testament or will by me in any wise before named or willed and ratifying and

confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament and I do constitute, make and ordain Isaac Williams and John Sims, both of the county and state aforesaid, to be my Executors of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 25the day of June in the year of our Lord 1801.

Henry Spalding

Signed, sealed and published by Henry Spalding as his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto set our hands – George Humphrey and William Moore

At a County Court held for Washington County on Tuesday the 7^th day of July 1801

This last will and testament of Henry Spalding was proven by the oaths of George Humphrey and William Moore, subscribing witnesses and sworn to by Isaac Williams and John Sims, Executors therein named and ordered to be recorded.

Teste.  William Caldwell