Charles Montgomery is my 4th great-grandfather, born in Charles County, Maryland, July 25, 1750. His parents were Peter Montgomery and Margaret Gates. Charles probably lies in the old cemetery of St. Ann that was the final resting place of many of the early pioneers that made the journey from Charles County, Maryland, to Washington County, Kentucky. St. Ann was built in 1798 and St. Rose in 1807. St. Ann’s was partially used until 1817, especially by the families close by. It was then abandoned. Today the cemetery is a field with no gravestones.

Charles Montgomery was ill when he wrote his will. It was signed and witnessed April 13, 1809, and was introduced in court May 8, 1809. His children are not named in the will, everything is left to his wife, Mary Ann Elder Montgomery, daughter of Charles Elder and Julia Ward. Mary Ann lived an additional 33 years after Charles’ death, raising her children and seeing to their well being, not only temporal but spiritual.

Children of Charles Montgomery and Mary Ann Elder Montgomery:

Born in Charles County, Maryland:

John Henry Montgomery, November 21, 1787 – October 31, 1826, Washington County, Kentucky

Samuel Louis Montgomery, January 9, 1789 – November 26, 1863

Ann Frances Montgomery, March 9, 1791

Benedict Elder Montgomery, October 16, 1792 – October 22, 1872, Washington County, Kentucky

Mary Ann Montgomery, July 9, 1794, unsure where born

Born in Washington County, Kentucky:

Mary Eleanor Montgomery, August 13, 1796

William Peter Montgomery, October 24, 1798 – June 19, 1833, Washington County, Kentucky cholera

Ann Rebecca Montgomery, August 26, 1800

Elizabeth Margaret Montgomery, March 27, 1803

Charles Pius Montgomery, August 10, 1806 – April 9, 1860, Zanesville, Ohio

Will of Charles Montgomery

Washington County, Kentucky Will Book B, Page 21-22

In the name of God, amen.  I, Charles Montgomery, of the County of Washington and State of Kentucky, being sick of body but of sound mind a disposition, appoint this as my last will and testament as follows.

I give unto my beloved wife, Mary Ann Montgomery, the plantation whereon I now live to sell as she may think proper.

Item 2.  I also give to my wife cash debts, bonds or notes due me.

Item 3.  I also give to my wife all the Negroes to be kept for the use of herself and the children, or to be hired out as she may judge best.  Or to be sold be her as she chooses.

Item 4.  I also give to my wife during her single life the land I purchased of William Wright, reserving therein a home and support for my daughters as long as they live single.  After that to be divided among my sons.

Item 5.  I also give to my wife in order for her to raise our children all the rest of my estate and also make her my executrix.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 13^th day of April 1809.

Charles Montgomery

We the subscribers do certify that Charles Montgomery signed and affixed his seal the date subscribed above.

John Lancaster, Peter Higdon, Jeremiah Lancaster Sr.

At a County Court held at the Washington Courthouse on the eighth day of May 1809.  This will was proved by the oaths of

John Lancaster, Peter Higdon and Jeremiah Lancaster, Sr.