Margaret Ann Taylor Hennessey was born Washington County, Kentucky, June 8, 1836, the daughter of John Compton Taylor and Susan Clark Edwards.  She never knew her mother since Susan died in December of the same year.  Margaret was the youngest of four siblings which in addition to herself included Catherine Elizabeth, born January 13, 1830; Edward Edwards “Ned” born December 16, 1831; and Benjamin Springer, born November 30, 1833.  Twelve years after Susan Edwards Taylor’s death, John Taylor married Susan Kimberlain, with whom he had two daughters, Mary Louisa and Sarah Susan.  All the members of this family, except daughter Catherine, who had married Edward Edwards Linton, moved to Cape Girardeau County, Missouri.  After several deaths the remaining family members returned to Washington County.  Margaret married David Hennessey in 1884; as she was in her late 40’s no children were born to the couple.

Therefore when she was ready to make her will Margaret Taylor Hennessey gave bequests to her sister Catherine Taylor Linton, the only one of her siblings to survive her, even though Catherine was the eldest. 

In section two Margaret gives Catherine and her three surviving children $25 each.  In today’s money that would be about $870.  Notice that my great-grandmother, Frances Barber Linton Montgomery, is noted as ’Frank’ in the will.  I had seen this before but am surprised this would be written in an official document as such!

Etta Clark Taylor is Margaret’s niece, the daughter of Benjamin Springer Taylor and wife Martha Jane Janes.  Etta married Edwin Barber Clarkson and had 12 children. 

Minnie Taylor is also a niece and daughter of brother Benjamin; she married Walter Clements, again, no children. 

Niece Margaret Springer Taylor married Albert Browning Walker and had nine children.

Will of Margaret Hennessey

Washington County Will Book Y, Pages 246-247

I, Margaret A. Hennessey, of the County of Washington and State of Kentucky, do make this to be my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking any and all former wills made by me.

Item First.  I order all my just debts and funeral expenses paid as soon after my death as possible.

Item Second.  I devise and bequeath to my sister Catherine Linton and her three children, Edgar Linton, Alice Linton and Frank Montgomery, wife of Robert L. Montgomery, the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) each.

Item Third.  I devise and bequeath to my niece Etta Clarkson and her daughter Mattie Clarkson the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) each.

Item Fourth.  I devise and bequeath to my nieces Minnie Taylor Clements and Magaret Taylor Walker all the remainder of my property of whatsoever kind and nature and wheresoever located.

Item Fifth.  In the event I am buried in St. Dominic Cemetery beside my husband David Hennessy, then I desire that my Executor, hereinafter named erect a sizable tombstone over the graves of my said husband and myself and in the event I am not buried there, I desire a tombstone erected there over the grave of my husband.

Item Sixth.  I hereby appoint A. B. Walker my Executor, to carry out the provisions of this will.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 23 day of November 1905.

Margaret A. Hennessy

Subscribed and acknowledged before us by Margaret A. Hennessey in her presence and at her request and in the presence of each other – Robert Noe, J. C. Merced

State of Kentucky

Washington County

At a regular term of the Washington County Court held at the Courthouse in Springfield, Kentucky, on the 25^th day of January 1909, this last Will and Testament of Margaret A. Hennessey was produced in court and proven

by the oaths of Robert Noe and J. C. Mudd, attesting witnesses thereto, who testified they attested the same in the presence of each other as well as in the presence of the testator who signed the same in their presence and that the said testator was of sound and disposing memory and thereupon the same was ordered to be recorded, which with this certificate is done in Will Book Y, Page 247.

Given under my hand this 29^th day of January 1909.

Wm. Booker, Clerk

Photos from the large Linton, Edwards, Taylor family photo taken in 1900.