The Will of
SAMUEL OFFUTT, SR.
Jessamine Co., Ky., 1825
In the name of God, Amen, I, Samuel Offutt Senior of the State of Kentucky and County of Jessamine do make, ordain and declare this instrument to be my last will and testament revoking all others.
1. All my just debts are to be faithfully and fully paid and the legacies hereinafter bequeathed are to be discharged as soon as circumstances will permit and in the manner directed.
2. To my beloved wife, Elizabeth, I give & bequeath the use, profit, and benefit of the whole tract of land whereon I now reside, situate, lying and being partly in the aforesaid County of Jessamine and partly in the County of Fayette on the waters of East Hickman Creek and containing by estimation three hundred acres (be the same more or less) with all the improvements and appurtenances thereunto be- longing to her, the said Elizabeth, during her natural life. It is my will and desire that no waste be committed of timber on the premises, and likewise that a due rotation of crops be observed so that no fields or field be planted with Indian corn twice in immediate succession.
3. I give & bequeath to her, the said Elizabeth, during her natural life the following male Negro slaves, to wit: one named Nase and another called James or Jim, and the female slaves Becky and her increase and also Julia and Viney. I do further bequeath to her, the said Elizabeth, the choice of four head of horses, four head of Cows, twenty head of hogs, and twenty head of sheep out of the stock that may be on hand or remain at my decease. It is, how- ever, distinctly to be understood that if the said Elizabeth shall marry again after my decease, she shall forfeit all the benefit hereby otherwise intended and all claim whatsoever to the use and profit resulting from the mentioned land, Negroes and goods and chattels.
To my said wife, Elizabeth, I further give & bequeath for the term of her natural life with the same condition annexed, all the household and kitchen furniture and farming Utensils which may remain at my decease.
4. I give unto my eldest son, Andrew Offutt, the promissory note which I hold on him for the sum of seventy dollars with the interest thereon and release him from the payment of both the principal and interest.
5. I give & bequeath to my grandchildren, Charles Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor and Samuel Proctor, twenty dollars each and to Matilda Proctor, I give & bequeath one horse and saddle worth one hundred dollars when she arrives at the age of twenty-one, if she lives so long, otherwise the hundred dollars to return to my estate and be equally divided among my own children.
6. I give & bequeath to my son Rezin Offutt one Negro man named Harry.
7. I give & bequeath to my son Azra Offutt one Negro man named Charles.
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8. I give & bequeath to my son Denton Offutt one Negro man named George.
9. To my daughter, Arah Offutt one Negro girl named Mary.
10. To my grandson, William Offutt Thompson, a Negro girl named Caroline and also a Negro boy named Gabriel.
It is my will & desire that my Executor hereinafter appointed do raise and educate my said grandchild, William Offutt Thompson, for whose support the said two Negroes are given and bequeathed and if said William Offutt Thompson lives to the age of twenty-one, then the said Executor to be allowed two hundred dollars out of the residue of my estate, but if he should not live so long, then said executor shall not have said allowance.
11. I give & bequeath to my sons, Otho Offutt, Tilman Offutt, Samuel R. Offutt, Rezin Offutt, Azra Offutt, Denton Offutt, and my daughter Arah Offutt, all the remainder and residue of my estate, real and personal (including all the estate) conditionally bequeathed to my wife Elizabeth during her natural life as above mention- ed and after her death to be equally divided among them.
12. Lastly, I constitute and appoint my son, Azra Offutt my sole executor of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty five. (13 Oct. 1825)
SAMUEL OFFUTT (Seal)
Wit:
Samuel Wilson
Lacitus Wilson
Lucian L. Wilson
Jessamine County Will Book D, pg. 30