Will of Robert Armstrong, Jr.

Contributed by Renee Schaeffer

WILL-WB A, Fleming Co., KY, pg 180

I Robert Armstrong, Junior of Fleming County and State of Kentucky being infirm and weak in body but of sound and disposing memory do make this my last will and testament that a proper disposition and distribution may be made of that estate and those wordly goods wherewith it has pleased and indulged providence to confer upon me in this life. 

In the first place it is my will that upon my decease my body be committed to its kindred "earth" in a decent and Christian like manner at the discretion of my Executor hereinafter named.

Item: I will and bequeath to my beloved wife Jane Armstrong that my just debts and funeral expenses be especially paid as ________ out of the money which may be on hand at my decease if there be sufficient for that purpose, but if there should be none on hand or that on hand be insufficient for that purpose that such debts and expenses be paid from the proceeds of a sale ( upon a reasonable credit at the discretion of my Executor ) of such a portion of my personal goods and chattels not herein otherwise disposed of as may be sufficient for that purpose. 

Item: I will and bequeath to my beloved wife Jane Armstrong one fourth part of all which may from time to time be raised by agriculture upon the plantation upon which I now live on.______ to be paid and delivered to her at such place on the plantation aforesaid as she shall appoint. The corn in the crib and every other discreption of produce ready for market except the flax and hay which shall be delivered as aforesaid in stack to be used, held and enjoyed by her as and for her dower in said land during her natural life. 
I also will and bequeath to my said wife one horse or mare, her choice of my stock, two milk cows, one feather bed, bedstead and furnitur, her choice of those wich may be on hand, the cupboard and all my cupboard furniture and spinning wheel, bureau, one ten gallon kettle, and three gallon pot and one bake oven to her the said Jane her heirs and ______ forever. 

Item: I will and devise to my son Robert, John and William each one equal third part of my land and plantation on which I now reside lying on Allison to be divided by themselves if they can agree on such division but if not then by a majority of three men and to be chosen for that purpose by each of my said sons or the representatives of such of them or may depart this life before such division and in any division under this clause of my will respect is to be had to quant__y, qual__ and conveniend the lands herein divided to be held by my said sons Robert, John and William in _______ as aforesaid to them, their heirs and _______ forever. Subject to the rent of one fourth of all which may be raised thereon by cultivation ______ ______ to my wife in lieu of Dower in a former clause of this will. It is further my will on this subject that if at any time during the natural life of my said wife my said sons or either of them should refuse or fail to cultivate a reasonable proportion of their respective shares, that on such failure or refusal my said wife may take such measures to procure the cultivation thereof during such failure as she may think proper and the right of such delinquent in the lands shall be suspended during such delinquency or the natural life of my said wife. 

Item: I will and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Christy ( wife of James Christy ) one dollar current money to be paid by my Executor in one year after my decease. 

Item: I will and bequeath to my daughter Lydia Bowen ( wife of William Bowen ) one dollar current money to be paid by my Executor in one year after my decease. 

Item: I will and bequeath to my grand Daughter Jinny Northcut, daughter of Benjamin Northcut and my late daughter Jane Northcut now deceased one hundred dollars in cash to be paid her or guardian in one year after my decease, also one young horse creature, one feather bed and furniture and a spinning wheel, to her the said Jinny Northcut her heirs and _____ forever in lieu of the claims of the representatives of my said daughter Jane Northcut deceased. 

Item: I will and bequeath to my son James L. Armstrong one dollar in cash to be paid by my Executor upon demand.

Item I will and bequeath and devise to my sons Robert, John, James L. and William share and share alike such of my lands held by patents from the Commonwealth of Virginia on locations made by. Col. Wm. Ward and those acting under him thereon as may be gained or secured to them my said sons in _______, their heirs and _______ forever.

Item: I will and bequeath to my beloved wife Jane the services of my Negro woman, Esther, during the natural life of my said wife and upon the decease of said wife that the said Esther shall be free and from henceforth altogether emancipated. 

Item: I will and bequeath to my said wife and daughters Nancy Belt wife of Joseph Belt and Polly Summers ( wife of Lewis Summers) all the residue of my personal property not herein otherwise disposed of after paying my debts and funeral expenses as provided for in a former part of this will, to be equally divided between them and held by them in ______ after such division to them the said Jane, Nancy, Polly their heirs and _______ forever.

Lastly, I hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife Jane Armstrong Executrix and my son Robert Armstrong Excutor of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other and former wills by me made and declaring this and none other as my last will and testament. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto sit my hand _____ the Fourth day of July, One thousand eight hundred and ten. 

Signed and acknowledged by the said Robert Armstrong, Junior as and for his last will and testament in our presence who have subscribed our names. Witnesses thereto in his presence. 

____ Daughter

John Evans and Richard Hart

Robert Armstrong (seal)