John Francis Hancock Linton, 1837-1886, son of John Hancock Linton II and Julia Green, grandson of Captain John Hancock Linton and Ann Mason, and Francis Green and Mary Bowles.  He was named for his father and both grandfathers -John Hancock Linton and Francis Green.  Both parents died in 1838 leaving an infant son, known in the family as Frank Linton.  Frank never married, lived the life of a bachelor, and when young lived with several different relatives. 

I could not find him in the 1850 Kentucky  census, but it is possible he was going back and forth between the many Linton families that lived in the area and was missed by the census taker. 

In 1860 he is living by himself , aged 22, a farmer, with $6,000 of real estate and $6,700 of personal estate.  But he is surrounded by family – Linton’s, Moran’s and Green’s!

In 1870 he is living with Richard and Susan Keene and their six children.  Frank is listed as 32 with $11,000 in real estate and $125 personal estate.  In today’s money that total would be $268,533.51.  Quite a fortune for a young man. 

In the 1875 tax list Frank has 213 acres of land valued at $4,260 dollars and one horse, $50.  His nearest neighbors are Ben Young, James Logsdon and William A. Logsdon.

In 1880 he is living with two cousins, Bruce and Henry Keene, two of the younger children of Richard and Susan Keene, and is listed as the cook for the trio.    

Frank died in 1886 at the age of 48, a young age in even in that time period.  His Inventory, dated September 4, 1886, lists $3 cash on hand, several notes due him (mostly family members), two horses, corn, oats, wheat, fencing wire – about $700 total. 

His Sale Bill from December of the same year lists the sale of his horses, ‘a lot of books,’ wire, bushels of wheat, acres of corn, 2 oat stacks and the rent of the farm for a year, total $616.53.

In Court the will of John F. Linton was upheld even though there were no witnesses.  It was a very simple will – ‘Walter Williams, you see that Lint Moran gets all on this side the pike and him well paid for his trouble with me.   Will to have all my name is two for him.   John F. Linton’

Linton Moran must have taken care of Frank Linton in his last days.  Not sure what the last sentence means.

State of Kentucky, Washington County

At a County Court held for Washington County at the Courthouse in Springfield on the 25^th day of Oct 1886, a paper purporting to be the last Will and Testament of John F. Linton, deceased, was produced in court and offered for probate and the same was continued for want of proof and at a further term of said court to with on the 22^nd day of November 1886.  The following order was made to wit.  It is ordered by agreement of parties in court that Thomas McIntire, William Edwards, Ben Edwards and E. B. Clarkson be made defendants to this proceeding on process is to be served and they are to represent the contestants in this proceeding in this court and the others courts to which an appeal may be taken and at a further term of this court to wit, on the 27th day of December 1886.  The following order was made.  This day came on to be heard the controversy as to the paper heretofore propounded in this court by Linton Moran, James Moran and William Moran, as the Will of John F. Linton and the propounders and contestants having announced themselves ready for trial and the court having heard the evidence and argument of council and being now advised is of the opinion that said paper, which is marked ‘B’ was executed by said John F. Linton in his own handwriting.  It is therefore adjudged that the same may be probated and admitted to record as the last will of said John F. Linton, which with this certificate is done in Will Book T, Page 265. 

Given under my hand this 14^th day of February 1887.

W. Booker, Clerk 

I have known about Frank Linton from the very beginning of my research on this family, about 50 years ago.  But since he left no descendants, I didn’t think about looking into him and learning his story.  That was my mistake. 

Two years after his death, Frank Linton’s estate was not settled.  January 1, 1889, a deed between James B. McIntire and Lou McIntire, his wife, and J. W. S. Clements, for $80, all the undivided interest in and right and title to the estate, real and personal, of the late J. Frank Linton, about 218 acres of land and some personal property in the hands of Thomas F. McIntire, administrator of said decedent, in suit of Thomas F. McIntire vs. Linton Moran, 1/56 part of said estate.  How could there be so many people involved in the estate of someone who was never married and had no children?  Frank Linton had cousins – many cousins!  On this father’s side he had nine sets of aunts and uncles, all having many children.  On his mother’s side there were six sets of aunts and uncles, again, many children.  And some of the older cousins died leaving second cousins of Frank as his heirs!

We have to go back to the Captain and Nancy.  When John Linton wrote his will May 20, 1834, two years before his death, he names all ten of his children, in order of birth – Elizabeth Keene, Moses Linton, Nancy Edwards, Benjamin Linton, Susan Moran, Martha Mudd, Catherine Taylor, William Linton, John Hanock Linton and Lewis Linton.  Since Frank Linton was an only child, he received his father’s full share of the Captain’s bequest, as well as any land and money his father would have owned.  He also received his mother’s portion of her father’s will.  This made Frank Linton, perhaps, the richest of all the Linton family.  He didn’t marry, so at his death all the relatives wanted their share of his estate.  

April 22, 1889, the Frank Linton farm was sold by Thomas F. McIntire, Administrator, to J. W. S. Clements.  The land sold for $24.15 per acre, which at approximately 213 acres was $5,152.26.  This indenture lists 115 heirs.  Of the 115 names I can tell you how 62 are related to Frank Linton – all cousins, and giving their parents’ names. 

I’ve listed the 53 or so names I don’t recognize as being related to the Linton family. Perhaps you know about them?

G. B. Bickett, H. T. Bickett, R. N. Bickett, Susan E. Bickett, Ed Borders, Laura Borders, Susan Fowler, T. J. Fowler, John W. Green, Susan A. Haynor, Annie Janes, Lolley Janes, Elizabeth Keene, J. H. Keene, John Keene, Mary J. Keene, Rebecca Keene, William Keene, Ben Linton, John L. Linton, Ruth Linton, Susan Linton, William Linton, Lea Marion, E. S. McIntire, Eliza McIntire, G. H. McIntire, J. B. McIntire, J. S. McIntire, T. T. McIntire, Thomas F. McIntire, Edward Mock, George Mock, Jr., Haggie Mock, J. Fenton Mock, Mary R. Mock, May Mock, Jane Mudd, Annie Nally and Mary E. Noe, Betty Parrott, Cyrus Parrott, William Parrott, John Purcell, Georgie Thompson, John R. Thompson, Lucy Thompson, Sarah E. Thompson, W. G. Thompson, John M. Wane, Mary E. Wane and Frances G. Watts.

And even though this is lengthy, and I do hope you are still with me, this isn’t the most exciting part!  In the description of the property, ‘lying and being in Washington County, Kentucky on the Springfield Willisburg Turnpike, 2 ½ miles north of said town of Springfield, and (known as White Oaks) in two tracts.’  Number one, I have never heard it called White Oaks!  But the best is yet to come – ‘The Linton Burial tract lying in first described tract is reserved and is not to pass or be conveyed.’  Frank Linton owned the property where the Linton Cemetery is today!  And this clause, within this very long deed, still gives hope that the Linton Cemetery is owned by no individual.  It is a place where all descendants can come and honor the ancestors that came before them. 

When J. W. S. Clements decided to sell the property 28 Dec 1889, he sold the land to L. T. Spalding for $6,100, containing 212 acres.  In this deed we also find the Linton burial lot mentioned – ‘The Linton burial lost is reserved as per commissioners deed, same being in first named tract.’  I shall review more recent deeds to see if this clause continues throughout. 

Frank Linton Land Sold to J. W. S. Clements 22 April 1889

Washington County Kentucky Deeds 1893-1894

Pages 24-28

Whereas in an action of Thomas F. McIntire, Administrator and Plaintiff against Linton Moran “et all Defendants” pending in the Washington Circuit Court and order was entered at the February Term 1889 directing W. H. Sweeney, Commissioner of said Court, to expose for sale at public auction to the highest and best bidder the property hereinafter described and whereas said property was sold in accordance with said order on the 22^nd day of April 1889 for the sum of $24.15 per acre, amounting to $5,152.26 when J. W. S. Clements became the purchaser thereof and whereas the report of said sale was confirmed by said Court at the September Term 1889 and at the

February Term 1890 an order was entered directing W. H. Sweeney, Commissioner, to execute a deed of conveyance of said property to said J. W. S. Clement, but for greater certainty the record and proceedings in said case are referred to.  Now, therefore this indenture made and entered into between Thomas F. McIntire, J. S. McIntire, T. T. McIntire ? of Frank Linton, Georgie Thompson, W. G. Thompson, Mary E. Wane and John M. Wane, R. N. Bickett, Sarah E. Thompson, John R. Thompson, G. H. McIntire, Eliza McIntire, E. S. McIntire, Susan Fowler, T. J. Fowler, Susan E. Bickett, John W. Green, G. B. Bickett, H. T. Bickett, Benjamin Edwards, Lucy Edwards, William Edwards, Susan Edwards, Edward B. Clarkson, Sidney Clarkson, Maggie Clarkson, Etta Clarkson, J. H. Keene, Linton Moran, C. F. Moran, Henry Moran, Rebecca Keene, Susan M. Keene, John Moran, Young Moran, Laura Borders, Ed Borders, Edward Linton, Mason Linton, J. Fenton Mock, George Mock, Jr., Mary E. Noe and her husband Thomas Noe, May Mock, Lea Marion, her husband Haggie Mock, Edward Mock, Mary R. Mock, Margaret L. Offutt, Burgess Offutt, her husband, G. Mason Green, Beaven Green, Frank G. Watts and William Watts, her husband, Susan L. Moran, wife of Young Moran, Annie Janes, Lolley Janes, J. B. McIntire, Frank L. Linton, Carrie L. Gloss, Annie L. Sawyer, Paul Linton, Lizzie Linton, William Parrott, Cyrus Parrott, Betty Parrott, John Hagan, Moses Hagan, Susan Duckworth, John Duckworth, Linton Duckworth, Kitty Duckworth, Lucy Thompson, Jacob Thompson, her husband, George Linton, Burkett Linton, Mary Janes, Sally Edwards, Mag T. Hennessey, David Hennessey, her husband, Minnie Taylor, Mag Taylor, Jane Mudd, Mary E. Polin, Hezekiah Mudd, William Mudd, William Linton, Betsey Rhodes, Jacob Rhodes, her husband, William Keene, John Keene, Frank Keene, C. W. Keene, Milton Keene, Henry Keene, Bruce Keene, Letitia Keene, Mary J. Keene, Mattie Keene, William Linton, J. F. Linton, Annie Nally, Polin Nally, her husband, Susan Linton, John L. Linton, Elizabeth Keene, J. N. Taylor, John Purcell, Wiliam Linton and the unborn heirs of Henry Moran, Ben Linton, Susan A. Haynor, James Haynor, he husband, John K. Linton, J. T. Linton, Susan Linton, Ruth Linton

Maggie Linton, Curtis Linton, Catharine Linton, Edgar Linton, Frances Linton, Mary Linton and the unknown heirs of Frank Linton, deceased, by W. H. Sweeney, Commissioner, of the said court of the first part and J. W. S. Clements of the second part, witnesseth that for and in consideration of the premises and for the further consideration of the full payment of the purchase price aforesaid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the parties of the first part, by W. H. Sweeney, Commissioner, aforesaid, have sold and by this writing do convey to said part of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever the following described property to wit.  A certain tract of land lying and being in Washington County, Kentucky, on the Springfield Willisburg Turnpike, 2 ½ miles north of said town of Springfield, and (known as White Oaks) in two tracts.  First tract on the east side of said road and bounded as follows:  beginning in the middle of said turnpike corner to R. J. Brown, thence with the middle of said road 172 4/5 poles to near where the dirt road enters said pike and corner to said Brown and Ben Young, thence with said Young as follows:  N44 ¾ E10 3/5 poles to a large rock near the fence thence N 63 ¼ E162 ½ poles to a stake thence N65 ¼ E81 3/5 poles to a cherry and hickory stump, corner to Taylor Spalding, thence with same as follows N43 ¼ W45 ½ poles to a large oak thence N4 ½ W95 poles to a stone corner to Williams, thence with said Williams as follows S61 ¼ W92 2/5 poles to a stone N 20 ¾ W28 4/5 poles to a stone, thence N88 ½ W49 ¾ poles to the middle of said turnpike, with the middle of same 99.55 poles to the beginning, consisting by survey 188 11/16 acres.  The second tract is likewise situated and is thus described.  Beginning at a general plot (11) in the middle of said turnpike thence N71 W7 poles to a oak post thence N72 ¼ W53 3/5 poles to a stump in stock shed, corner to Mrs. Sally Curtsinger, thence with the original line S13 ¾ E110 ½ poles to Brown’s line, thence with said line S64 ½ E15 3/5 poles to the middle of said turnpike, now corner to “B” on plot of first track, thence with middle of

Said turnpike 126.5 to the beginning, containing per survey 24 5/8 acres of land.  The Linton Burial tract lying in first described tract is reserved and is not to pass or be conveyed.  To have and to hold said property with its appurtenances unto the said grantee, his heirs and assigns.  The said Commissioner conveys all the right, title and interest, legal and equitable of the said parties of the first part hereinbefore named and set out in and to said property and warrants the title thereto so far as he is authorized by the judgement orders and proceedings in said cause and no further, but he does not bind himself personally by anything contained herein in any event whatever.  In testimony whereof said W. H. Sweeney, Commissioner, aforesaid has hereunto subscribed his name this 10^th day of March 1890.

W. H. Sweeney, Commissioner, W. C. C.   Acknowledged by the Commissioner, examined and approved in open court his 10^th day of March 1890.

William E. Russell, Judge, W. C. C.

State of Kentucky

Washington Circuit Court

J. T. M. Campbell, Clerk of the Washington Circuit Court do hereby certify that this deed from Thomas T. McIntire by W. H. Sweeney, Commissioner of said Court to J. W. S. Clements was on the 10^th day of March 1890 presented in open court by W. H. Sweeney, Commissioner, and was by him duly acknowledged to be his act and deed.  And the said deed, having been examined by the Court was approved and confirmed and so endorsed by the Judge and ordered to be transmitted, duly certified to the clerk of the Washington County Court for record, which is now done accordingly.

Given under my hand this 27^th day of June 1893

F. M. Campbell, Clerk by William H. Baker, D.C.

State of Kentucky

Washington County

J. W. F. Booker, clerk of the Washington County Court, certify that the foregoing deed from T. F. McIntire by W. H. Sweeney, Commissioner Washington Circuit

Court to J. W. S. Clements was on the 27^th day of June 1893 produced to me in my office duly certified and ordered to be recorded which with this and the foregoing certificate is done in Deed Book 42 Page 24.

Given under my hand this 18^th day of July 1890

W. F. Booker, Clerk by Robert Noe, D. C.