Know all men by these present that I THOMAS FRANCIS being of advanced age but of sound mind and discernment and knowing that all living has to die I therefore made the following instruction my last will and testament of all my worldly estate and property to wit:
Article 1st—I first want all my just debts and personal expenses paid.

2nd—I then desire that all my estate remaining both real and personal remain in the hand of my beloved wife, LURANY FRANCIS during her natural life.

3rd—I then desire that all my land and property that I possessed at the time me and my present wife Lurany was married I want it equally divided between my first wives children except Feldin Combs who married my daughter Susan Francis. To them I only will that they should have one dollar.

4th—After the death of my present wife I will and desire that all the property both real and personal be equally divided between our four children to wit: Lurany, Ann, Elizabeth and Margaret Francis and their heirs. That is to say all the property real and personal that me and my present wife has accumulated since our marriage. I want equally divided between our children last above mentioned. I desire that together with my wife Lurany Francis that Ambrose Amburgey, Samuel Francis, Simeon Francis, and Squire Whitaker act as my executors and execute this my present will which appointment I hope may all accept done this 13th day of July 1855. THOMAS FRANCIS (SEAL) acknowledged to me by THOMAS FRANCIS, Feb 23, 1856. STEPHEN P. HOGG, CLCC
Attest: THOMAS WATTS, BENJAMIN MARTIN.
S. P. HOGG
State of Ky
 I, Stephen P. Hogg, Clerk of the Letcher County Court do certify this last will and testament of THOMAS FRANCIS deceased was this day produced to me in Letcher County Court and proven by the oath of THOMAS WATTS and BENJAMIN MARTIN the inscribing which is to be the act and will of the said THOMAS FRANCIS deceased and ordered to be recorded which will is hereby duly committed to record in my office given under my hand this the 11th day of August 1856.  STEPHEN P. HOGG

We of the jury find the within paper purporting to be the last will and testament of THOMAS FRANCIS deceased to be his true last will and testament.  S. G. LOGAN

I do certify that the above that the above (repeated) is a true copy of the will of THOMAS FRANCIS.  Clerk certificate verdict of jury in my office September 12th, 1866.

I EZEKIAL BRASHEARS, Clerk of the Letcher County Court, in the State of Kentucky certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the will of THOMAS FRANCIS dec’d produced in my office also the certificate of S. P. Hogg County court clerk of Letcher Co and the certificate of ISAAC FIELDS clerk of the same court which is duly in my office recorded this 9th day of June 1879. E. BRASHEARS clerk by R.O. BRASHEARS.

THOMAS FRANCIS died after 13 July 1855 and before 11 August 1856. The estate was not closed until 8 June 1879.

Submitted by Lana Fox