Chestnut Wills and Estates
Page 1 & 2
Whereas I, Abraham Chestnut Jr., of
Laurel County, and State of Kentucky, am at this time in a low state of
health but of sound mind and disposing memory, and knowing the uncertainty
of life, and the certainty of death, and being desirous while living to
make such dispostion of my worldly affects as to me seems just and proper,
do make, ordain, and publish, this my last will and testament.
And firstly, for the purpose
of educating or aiding in the education of my half brothers, Samuel Chestnut,
Charles Chestnut, James Edmonds Chestnut, Pleasant Elly Chestnut, and my
half sister Margaret Ann Chestnut. I set apart, after the payment of my
just debts, the sum of Twenty five dollars to each to be applied
as hereafter directed.
Secondly, It is my desire
to give to my brother John Chestnut, the sum of fifty dollars in part of
an account due from him to the firm of Colgard ? Chestnut, and I hereby
direct and allow him a credit upon his book account for that amount.
Thirdly, I give and bequeath to
my half brother William Chestnut, (after the payment of all my debts) as
aforesaid all the remainder of my estate of every description
whatever, and as the said William Chestnut, is yet a minor, I hereby nominate
and appoint my friend Nathan H. Randall and Granville ? Rant ? Guardians
for him with the request and authority to them, that if the said William
Chestnut, should desire to take control of the said estate by keeping up
the partnership now I have between myself and Stephen D. Colyers ?
or Oclonricss ? that the said Randall J. Pearl permit him to do so.
Fourthly, I hereby nomonate
and appoint my freind, William H. Randall guardian for the above named
, Samuel Chestnut, Charles Chestnut, James Edmonds Chestnut, Pleasant Elly
Chestnut, and Margaret Ann Chestnut, and a request that he shall approperate
the gift to hand during his minority as before mentioned in as accommdating?
a promise? as -------
I nominate and approve the ---- and Granville
(These two short lines can't be read)
Given under my hand and seal this 28th day of Dec. A.D. 1844
Abraham Chestnut Jr. (seal)
Witness ; R.J. Sively, R. Ohler
Laurel County Court, Jan. term 1845
A paper porporting to be the last
will and testament of Abraham Chestnut Jr., deceased, was this day produced
in court, Attested ; by R.J. Sively, and R. Ohler and fully
proven to the satisfaction of the court by the oaths of the said
R.J. Sively and Rueben Ohler who stated that the testator, signed, and
acknowledged said will in their presence and hearing, and that. they
attested the same in presence of the testator they also proved that said
testator was at the time of sound and disposing memory.
It is therefore ordered by the court that
said paper be admitted to record as the last will and testament of Abraham
Chestnut Deceased.
Which is done accordingly given under my hand as
Clerk of the Court
William H. Randall Clk.
Page 108
I, Benjamin Chestnut of Laurel County, and State of Kentucky, being of sound mind and disposeing memory do hereby make this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills and testaments made by me.
1st., I will that all my just debts and funeral expences be paid
2nd, I will that my daughter Nancy Martin, the wife of Joseph
Martin, and the children of my daughter, Hily Mavin ? now deceased, and
Blevins Chestnut my son, have all my estate after my death to be specific
about it my will is that the estate that I have shall be divided into three
equal parts, my daughter Nancy Martin, to have one part, my daughter Hilley's
children to have one part, and Blevins Chestnut one part of all the property
of every kind that I may have after the payment of my just debts
and funeral expences as above specified.
3rd, As to my other childrenI have heretofore furnished for them and
have given them all that I intend that they shall have.
4th, If either of the above named persons to wit ; Nancy Martin,
my daughter Hilirs children or Blevin Chestnut's should die before I die,
leaving children, then in that event the children shall have their part
instead of them. It is distinctly to be understood that it is to give to
them and if they are dead, to their children, and if any of their
children be dead without issue the remaining children are to have the part
hereby divided. Given under my hand this the 24th day of Febuary 1872.
Benjamin X (his mark) Chestnut
Witness ; James B. Moore, and Granville Pearl
Whereas on the 24th day of Febuary last, I made the foregoing will and
in as much as I am now living with Blevins Chestnut and his wife Polly
is very kind to me and waits upon me freely and kindly, I hereby give and
bequeath to her, my mare at my death. I have given to Blevin Chestnut the
smallest---- of the two that sorel mare has foiled a short time back for
taking care of both. And if I should die before I should dispose of the
other mule, then Blevins Chestnut is to have that also and I hereby change
my will to that extent given under my hand the 11th day of May 1882
Benjamin X Chestnut
Witness ; G. Pearl, and Mary J. Chestnut
State of Kentucky
Laurel County, Court November term 1874
A paper purporting to be the last will and testament of Benjamin
Chestnut dec'd was produced in Court and Proven by the oath of G. Pearl,
James B. Moore, and Mary J. Chestnut, subscribing witness there to
where upon, the court ordered the same to be recorded
Att. W. Jones, Clerk.
Will Book 4
Laurel County, Kentucky
Page 121 & 122
I, Jacob Chestnut of the County of
Laurel and the State of Kentucky being advanced in years and knowing
that all men must die, and while I am in good health of sound mind and
memory- ---? prepare to make my last will & testament.
I give and liquidate, to my son Stephen
Chestnut all that part of my tract of land lying on the south side of
the Manchester Road as it now runs through the same and being that same
land upon which the said Stephen Chestnut now lives. I make this bequeath
in consideration of the kindness care and attention which the said Stepen
Chestnut has manifested to me in my ----? and if I should here after make
any dispositions of my other property it is not my intentions to---?
with this bequest I- --? I have here unto set my hand and seal this
the 5th day of March 1862.
Att:
Jacob X Chestnut
C.B.Farris, Arthur Saper
In addition to the foregoing bequest, heretofore
made by me to my son Stephen Chestnut, I ----? ----? it proper
and I hereby make this codicil to said will in manner and as follows, namely
in consideration of the kind treatment and ----? of my daughter, Ann Chestnut
toward myself and her Mother in our old age , I give and bequeath to my
said daughter, all that part of my said tract of land in which I now have,
lying on the the North side of the Salt works on Manchester Road.
----? a small line which is now inclosed ? in my son, John Chestnut's
field ?, and which small piece I give to my son John . I also give
and bequeath to to my said daughter Ann, all my personal estate of every
kind and description that may be on hand at my death and that of my present
wife.
In witness whereof I have unto set my hand and seal this 17th day of
May 1871.
Jacob (X his mark) Chestnut
Att.
C.B. Farris, Stephen Chestnut
State of Kentucky, Laurel County Court
I, C.W. Jones, Clerk of Laurel Co. Court certify that the foregoing
will and codicil of Jacob Chestnut was produced in open court at ------?
Oct. term 1878, when A.J. Jackson and John Chestnut by then Ally
B. Boyd withdrew said exceptions and said will was ordered to be recorded.
Where upon the same is hereby done accordingly
Att. C. W. Jones, Clerk
Page 267
May 13th, 1895
I this day will and bequeath, this is my last will, to
my son Benj ? Chestnut, one black horse about 6 years old, also one black
and one red cow and heifer three years old and all my hogs and one
bed and plenty cover to keep him warm and also one bu---? and pre-? and
all my kitchen furniture and I want the remainder of my bed clothes to
be divided among my four daughters. I also will to Ally Chestnut and Lizzie
one dollar each after my just debts are paid.
Lucinda (X her mark) Chestnut
Written by, T.W. Crook, by the request of Wm. Chestnut
Witness ; W.G. Asher, W.J. Crook