Good morning! We started off at a moderate 53 degrees this morning, but have reached 70 by mid-morning, and expect to rise an additional 15 by late afternoon. Last day of September! I’m still acclimated to the cooler temps of upper Michigan – where it is 62 with a chance of reaching only 67 – sweater weather!! But it is a beautiful, sunny day here in the beautiful state of Kentucky!
Have started on another book – the early wills of Jefferson County, Kentucky. Just love reading through the old records. I decided to share with you the will of Mary Baird. Surprisingly, especially for the time period, of the 139 wills in book A, 11 are written by women. 8% is not a large amount, but for the time period I’m very impressed.
Mary Douglas, daughter of James Douglas and Jane Wilson, was of good Scottish heritage, both parents born there before their removal to America. She married Thomas Baird in 1747 in Pennsylvania, and at some point the couple moved to Kentucky, at least by 1785 when their daughter Martha married Daniel McClure in Jefferson County. Children named in her will are John, Samuel, Thomas, Joseph, Martha McClure; and granddaughter Esther, daughter of Thomas.
But the most interesting parts of the will are two bequests of her books! Mary Baird gives her ‘big Bible with a book called Duram on Isaiah’ to son Joseph Baird. A quick search found this book is Christ Crucified: Or, the Marrows of the Gospel in 72 Sermons on Isaiah 53, by James Durham. She also leaves to Mary Yoder her book of ‘Hervey Meditations.’ This is James Hervey’s devotional book Meditations and Contemplations, which includes Meditations Among the Tombs. Mary Wilson Baird could not write, since she signed her will with an x, but perhaps she could read? Or someone read to her? I’m always amazed to read the list of books in a will or inventory in these early days. And, quite honestly, although many say early in our history most people were illiterate, I’ve found most can at least sign their names.
Mary Baird Will Page
Jefferson County Will Book A, Page 113-115
In the name of God amen. I, Mary Baird, of Jefferson County and State of Kentucky, being in perfect mind and memory, thanks to almighty God, calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men 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 to the earth my body to be buried in a decent Christian like burial at the discretion of my executors and
to my worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I do dispose of in the following manner.
All the money coming from my son John Baird, which is due to me by virtue of a bond which I have on him, and all the money drawn on the same bond which I have not received, as I gave my son Samuel Baird a power of attorney, together with the said bond to act for me and likewise all the money coming from my son John Baird to my estate by virtue of a bond which I had on my son Thomas Baird, and as far as my son John Baird is bound to my son Thomas Baird on my behalf, is to be collected and disposed of in the following manner.
First, my son Thomas Baird is to receive the money which he paid on a bond which came against him from the settlement by Patrick Hartford and for the services which I had of son Thomas Baird’s Negro, I allow him forty pounds.
And Esther Baird, daughter to Thomas Baird twenty pounds in cash.
The balance of my money to be equally divided in the following manner, that is to say, one third to my son Robert Baird and one third to my son Joseph Baird and one third part to my daughter Martha Baird, married to Daniel McClure.
And as for my household property, I leave to my daughter Martha Baird, together with all my horned cattle, except one heifer which I leave to Esther Baird, daughter to my son Thomas Baird. And one
heifer which I leave to the Negro boy Jack which lived with me.
My big Bible with a book called Duram on Isaiah [Christ Crucified: Or, the Marrow of the Gospel in 72 Sermons on Isaiah 53 by the 17th-century Scottish Presbyterian minister James Durham] I leave to my son Joseph Baird, and a book called Hervey Meditations [James Hervey’s famous 18th-century devotional book is Meditations and Contemplations, which includes Meditations Among the Tombs.] I leave to Mary Yoder.
In witness whereof, I, the said Mary Baird, have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred ninety eight.
Mary Baird, her mark
Witnesses present
William McClure, George McClure
At a Court held for Jefferson County at the Court House the 19th day of October 1801
This instrument of writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Mary Baird, deceased, was proved by the oaths of William McClure and George McClure, subscribing witnesses thereto and admitted to record.
Teste. Worden Pope, Clerk, Jefferson County
Categories: Old Wills
