Will in Deed Book

Is this an April Fool’s Joke?

Have you ever encountered a will entered into a deed book? I’ve seen those ‘et al’ deeds where the land is split between children, or deeds from the administrator of an estate to a child or children, but I don’t recall ever finding an actual will in a deed book.

However, while searching the deed indexes of Warren County, Indiana for FOSTER deeds, I found the will of Richard Foster on page 420 of volume 11 of the deeds.

Warren County Indiana
Deed records, 1827-1901

Deed records, V. 10-11, 1841-1850 Film 1977054 GS 8071879

Foster Richard Will & Testament Book 11 page 420

IN the name of God Amen, I Richard Foster of the County of Pike
and State of Ohio being sick and weak in body but of sound dis
posing mind and memory and understanding considering the
certainty of death and uncertainty of the time thereof and being
desirous to settle my worldly affairs and thereby be the better
prepared to leave this world when it shall please God to call me
home do therefore make and publish this my last will and
testament in manner and form following that is to say firstly
I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God and my
body to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my
Executrix hereinafter named and after my dets and fun
eral charges are paid second I will and bequeath unto my
third son Zebulon Foster all the lands I have in the State
of Indiana on the waters of the Wabash River as follows
to wit: That if it should be considered that the said lands
at first cost should be more than his equal share of my
estate hereafter then he shall pay back the overpaid to the
said estate, and I also give to him one sorrel mare in
consideration of services rendered since he was of age, not
to be accounted as any part of his legacy. Thirdly, I will and
bequeath unto my beloved wife Rachel all the reside of my
lands and covenants with all my goods and shattels moneys
and credits after paying all my just debts so long as she shall
remain my widow for the purpose of raising my children and
to be at her disposal during the — Fourthly I will that at the
death of my wife that the two oldest of my children, to wit
Jeremiah B Foster and John Foster shall account for the ad
vancement made to them as per receipts and Zebulon Foster
according to the bequest made above and then an equal dii
[decid] struck between all my children, to wit, Jeremiah
B Foster, John Foster, Eliza Wilson, Zebulon Foster, Cassandra
Foster, Lemuel G Foster, Asenath Foster, Thomas Foster,
Seth C. Foster and Rachel Foster share and share alike.
And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint y dear wife
Rachel Foster to sole executrix of this my last will
and testament revoking and annulling all former wills by
me heretofore made satisfying and confirming this and none
other to be my last will and testament. In testimony whereof
I Richard Foster have to this my will consisting of one sheet of paper
set my hand and seal this seventh day oF June in the year
of our Lord God (1831) one thousand eight hundred and thirty
one
(seal)
Signed & Seal in presence of us
Be it known on the day before the above will was wrote the deceased richard Fostr called
on us to bear witness that the above was his will In testimony
whereof we have hereunto set our hand and seals as witness

Indiana, Warren. Deed Records, 1827-1901. Film #1977054 DGS 8071879. Richard Foster, June 1831 Vol 11: page 420; digitized images, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 17 March 2022.

Indiana, Warren. Deed Records, 1827-1901. Film #1977054 DGS 8071879. Richard Foster, June 1831 Vol 11: page 420; digitized images, Family Search http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 17 March 2022.

Since the version transcribed into the deed book does not identify the witnesses of the will, I looked for the actual will in the records for Pike County, Ohio. The will is recorded on page 54 of volume 1 of Pike County, Ohio will records.

Pike County Ohio
Will Record
Vol. 1
page 54

State of Ohio
Pike County

Pike Court of common Pleas June Term
being the 20th day of June AD 1831

Be it remembered that on this day the last will
and testament of Richard Foster late of Pike county deceased
was [exhibited] in open court and proved by the oaths of Joseph Foster
George Johnston and James Davis in all things agreeable to the statute
in such cases mad and provided as follows to wit”
State of Ohio Pike County
This day personally appeared before the Court of Common Please ina nd
for said County the within name Joseph Foster George Johnston
and James Davis who being duly sworn did depose and say that they
were present at the time of speaking the testamentory words named
in the within instrument by the said Richard Foster, now deceased
that the same was immediately reduced to writing and was read over to the
said Richard Foster and then and there declared to be his last will and
testament and that he then and there desire @ these deponents to bear
testimony that such was his will which they accordingly did and within
six days thereafter attested the same as such that the same was done
and made by the said Richard Foster in his last sickness and that at
the time of making said will he the said Richard was of sound mind
and memory and these deponents are entirely disinterested unto the
subject matter of said will.
Sworn to and subscribed
in open Court June 20th 1831
Joseph Foster
George Johnston
James Davis

And the Court being satisfied that said will has been duly executed
and that the testator was of full age and of sound mind and memory
and not under any restraint at the time of executing the same It
is therefore ordered by the Court that said Will be admitted to record
pursuant to statute which said will reads in the word following “to wit,”
In the name of God Amen
I Richard Foster of the County of Pike and State of Ohio being sick
and week in body but of sound disposing mind memory and
understanding considering the certainty of death and uncertainty of
the time thereof and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs
and thereby be the better prepared to leave this world when it shall
please God to call me home do therefore make and publish this my
last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say
I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God and my body to
the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executrix here
in after named and after my debts and funeral charges are paid
Second I will and bequeath unto my third son Zebulon Foster

page 55
all the land I have in the State of Indiana on the waters of the Wabash river as
follows “to wit” that if it should be considered that the said lands at first
cost should be more than his equal share of my estate hereafter then he shall
pay back the overplus to the said estate andI also givve to him one sorrel
mare in consideration of services rendered since he was of age not to be
accounted as any part of his legacy. Thirdly I will and bequeath unto
my beloved wife Rachel all the reside of my lands and tenements
with all my goods and chattels moneys and credits after paying all
my just bills so long as she shall remain my widow for the purpose
of raising my children and to be at her disposal during the Fourthly
I will that at my death of my wife that the two eldest of my children, “to wit,”
Jeremiah B foster & John Foster shall account for the advancement
made to them as per receipts and Zebulon Foster according to the bequest
made above and them and equal dividend be struck between all my
children, “to wit,” Jeremiah B. Foster, John Foster, Eliza Wilson, Zebulon
Foster, Cassandra Foster, Lemuel G Foster, Asenith Foster, Thomas
Foster, Seth C Foster and Rachel Foster share and share alike
And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my dear wife Rachel
Foster to be sole executrix of this my last will and testament revoking
and annulling all former wills by me heretofore made ratifying and
confirming this and none other to be my last will and testament
In testimony whereof I Richard Foster have to this my will consisting
of one sheet of paper, set my hand and seal this seventh day of June
in the year of our Lord God (1831) one thousand eight hundred
and thirty one
Seal
Signed and sealed in presence of us
Be it known that on the day the above Will was wrote the deceased
Richard Foster, called us to bear witness that the above was his
will. In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands as
witness this 13th day of June one thousand eight hundred
and thirty one
Joseph Foster Seal
George Johnston seal
James Davis seal

Ohio Probate Records, 1789-1996, Pike County, Will Record Vol. 1 1815-1865, Richard Foster, 1831; digitized images, FamilySearch (www.famlysearch.org : viewed online 17 March 2022).

Ohio Probate Records, 1789-1996, Pike County, Will Record Vol. 1 1815-1865, Richard Foster, 1831; digitized images, FamilySearch (www.famlysearch.org : viewed online 17 March 2022).

Since these two records are very similar, it is obvious that finding the copy of the will in a deed book is not an April Fool’s joke. This is just another example of why I like to use records found in a Recorder of Deeds office.

William Crawford Will

Arkansas Wills and Probate Records, 1818-1998
Ancestry.com

Image 124
Page 103

William Crawford’s Will

Pope County State of Arkansas

Feb 8th 1855

In the name of God Amen
I William Crawford
of Pope county and state of Arkansas being in good
bodily health and of sound and disposing mind
and memory calling to mind the frailty and
uncertainty of human life, and being disposed
to settly my worldly affaird and directing how
the estate with which it has pleased God
to bless me whall be disposed of after my
death while I have strength and capacity so
to do do make an dpublish this my last
will and testament hereby revoking and ma-
king null and void all other last wills
and testaments by me heretofore made, And
first I commend my immortal being to him
who gave it, and my body to the earth
to be buried with little expense or [oster=]
[tation], by my eecutors hereinafter named
And as to my worldly estate, and all
the property real personal or mixed of which
I shall die seized and possessed, or to which
I shall die deized an dpossessed, or to which
I shall be entitled at the time of my death
I desire bequeathe and dispose of in the
manner following, to wit
[Inp4im3w[, my will is that all my just
debts and funeral charges shall by my exec=
utors herein after named be paid out of
my estate, as soon after my death as
shall by them be found convenient.
Item, I give devise and bequeath to my
daughter Sarah Logan Ten Dollars I also
give to my Daughter Betsy Logan Ten Dollars

Image 125
Page 104

I also give my daughter Jane Whitenburg
Ten Dollars, I also give my grandaughter
Carline May Minerva Sincler & Matilda
Willis’es too childen Joseph T Willis &
William Willis Ten dollars I also give
my daughter Nancy Henefords three
children William Polly & Sally five dollars
each & after my just debts is all paid
an funeral expenses if there should be any
thin left of my estate it is to be equally
divided between the above named heirs
I now from motives of benevolence
and humanity have manumeted and
emancipated and hereby do monumit
emancipate and set free from slavery
my My negroes, Green aged thirty nine
Druclla I have already emancipated she
is to be free and is not free I also Emanci-
pate and set free Drucila’s six children
Eliza aged eleven years Rolan aged nne
years Mary aged seven years Martha
aged five years Allis aged two years Lucin-
da aged two months
Green Druscilla and the six above
named children is to serve me during my life
and them is to be free it is my wish  for
them not to serve any of my heirs
I now constitute and appoint col Seth
Howell of Pittsburg John I Cunningham & Wm
W Rankins my executors
Witness my hand and seal the day
and date above written
William (his mark) Crawford (seal)
Signed sealed published and declared

page 105

by the said William Crawford as and for his
last will and testament in presence of us
who at his request and in his presence
and n the presence of each other have sub-
scribed our names as witnesses hereunto
attested the day and date above written
James M Edwards
W M Rankins
Thos (his mark) Dison
Isaac (his mark) Chandler
Wms Booker

State of Arkansas
County of Pope

I, Roof H Howell Clerk of the Circuit
Cour tand Exofficio Recorder for said county, do
hereby certify, that the annexed and foregoing
instrument of writing was filed in my office
for Record on the 10th day of February AD 1855 and
the same is now duly recorded in the ‘Record
of Wills” Paes 103, 104 & 105, and that the inter-
lineation of the word “during”, in the 22d line on
the 2d page of said will and the “& Wm W Ranking”
which is marked out in the 25th line on said
page were interlined, and marked out before filed.
In testimony whereof I have here=
unto set my hand and affixed the
seal fo my office this 15th day of Febru=
ary AD 185.
Roof H Howell Clerk
and Ex Officio Recorder

Crawford Will – Warren County, Indiana

Warren County, Indiana
Will Books

Found on Ancestry
Indiana Wills and Probate Records, 1798-1999
Warren > Will Records, Vol 1-3, 1830-1883; Will records, Vol 4, 1884-1895

Volume 3
Index:
Crawford Nelson C – 49
Crawford Martha – 184

Page 49

State of Indiana
Warren County, ss
Be it remembered that on this 14’ day of June AD 1864
the last will and Testament of Nelsen G Crawford late of
Warren County, deceased, was presented for Probate and
proven by John Briggs, and was duly admitted to probate
and said last will and Testament and Proof thereof reads as
follows to wit

Be It known that I Nelson G Crawford of the County of
Warren and state of Indiana considering the uncer-
tanity of this mortal life do make publish and
declare this to be my last Will and Testament
as follows to wit:
First, I do give and bequeath unto my beloved wife
Martha the one third of all my property, both personal
and real in fee simple and also the remainder thereof
during the term of her natural lifetime, saving
and excepting such of my property as is
otherwise disposed of and bequeathed in this
my last will and testament
Secondly, In as much as I have advanced unto my
son James H Crawford and to my son Marion
and to my son William C and to my daughter
Mary E intermarried with Elisha V Briggs, the
sum of one thousand dollars each, I do now
thenceforth give and bequeath unto each and
every one of them the sum of fifty dollars
only, that is to say fifty dollars to each of my
children above named,
Third, In as much as I have advanced unto my daughter
Amanda S intermarried with Harrison H Woodward
who is now deceased, the sum of nine hundred
dollars I do therefor give and bequeath with the
said Amanda S Woodward the sum of one hundred
and fifty dollars in addition to said advancement,
Fourth I do give and bequeath unto my daughter
Celia C Crawford the sum of one thousand and
fifty dollars and I do appoint my said wife
to be the guardian of said Celia C and to have the
care control and education of said Celia C

page 50

and to marriage and control the property herin bequeathed
to her and for that purpose it shall not be necessary
for my said wife to give any bond bur marriage said
Celia C Crawford property herin bequeathed as she
shall think best. And the care maintenance and
education of said Celia C shall be paid out of the
property bequeathed herein to my wife, Martha Crawford
the said Martha exercising her best judgment with
regard thence
Fifth, I do make constitute and appointing John C Lincoln
of Warren County as the lawful executor of this
my last will and testament and I desire him to
pay out of my estate the bequests herein made in
the following order to with: first unto my daughter
Amanda S Woodward the amount herein bequeathed
to her after paying the expences of my funeral and
my indebtedness. secondly unto my daughter Celia C
the amount bequeathed herein to her, and thirdly the
other bequests in the oder he shall think best
Nelson G Crawford
Signed published and declared by the testator
to be his last will and testament in our presence
and we hereunto subscribe our names as witnesses
in the presence and at the request of the testator
and in the presence of each other
March 16, 1864
[Clive] R [Hudson]
John Briggs
State of Indiana
Warren County
Be it remembered that on the 14 day of June 1864
John Briggs one of the subscribing witnesses to the
within and foregoing will and testament of Nelson
G Crawford late of said county deceased personally
appeared before William C Smith clerk of the Court
of Common Please of Warren County in the state
of Indiana and being duly sworn by the clerk of
said court upon his oath declared and testified
as follows that is to say that on the 16 day of
March AD 1864 he saw the said Nelson G
Crawford sign his name to said instrument

page 51

in writing as and for his last will and testament and
that this deponent at the same time heard the said
Nelson G Crawford declare the said instrument to be
in writing to be his last will and testament and
that the said instrument in writing was at the
same time at the request of the said Nelson G Crawford
and with his consent attested and subscribed by
the said John Briggs in the presence of said
Testator and in the presence of each other
as subscribing witnesses [thence] and that the said Nelson G
Crawford was at the time of the signing and subscribing
of the said instrument in writing aforesaid and of full age
(that is more than twenty one years of age) and of sound
and disposing mind and memory and not under
any coercion or restraint as the said deponent verily
believes and further [deponest] says not
John Briggs
Sworn and subscribed by the said John Briggs
before me William C Smith clerk of said court
at Williamsport the 14 day of June 1864
In attestation whereof I have hereunto
subscribed my name and affixed the
seal of said Court
William C Smith

Page 184

State of Indiana
Warren County
Be it remembered that on the 16 day of August
1871 there was filed in the office of the clerk of
the Court of Common Pleas the last will and
Testament of Martha Crawford late of said county
deceased and duly proved & admitted to probate
and said last will and testament reads as
follows to wit
In the name of God Amen
I Martha Crawford of Williamsport Warren
County, Indiana of sound mind and
desposing memory knowing the uncertainty of
life and the certainty of death do make and
publish this my last will and testament
as follows to wit
First I direct that after my decease I be
buried beside my husband the late Nelson
G Crawford and that my burial and
tombstones be according to my circumstances
in life
Second I direct that after my decease all
my just debts and funeral expenses
including tombstones be first paid
Third I give and bequeath to my daughter
Celia C Crawford the sum of three hundred
dollars over and above the bequest
contained in the following items
Fourth after the payment of the last mentioned
bequest of three hundred dollars to my daughter
Celia C Crawford I give and bequeath the
remainder of my property of whatsoever kind
to my children James H Crawford Washington
M Crawford Mary E Briggs Sara
A Woodward and Celia C Crawford they
to [have] equally and alike in the same
Fifth I appoint my son James H Crawford
my executor of this my last will and
testament and request that he will
carry out the same

page 185

witness my hand & seal this 13 day of
September AD 1869
Martha Crawford (seal)
Jas H Bonebrake
H P Downing
State of Indiana
Warren County
Be it remembered that on the 19”
day of August 1871 [Hannas] P Downing one of the
subscribing witnesses to the within and foregoing
last will and testament of Martha Crawford late
of said county deceased personally
appeared before Thomas F Bryant Clerk of
the Court of Common Pleas of Warren County
in the state of Indiana and being
duly sworn by the clerk of said court upon
his oath declared and testified as follows
that is to say: that on the 13 day of September
1869 he saw the said Martha Crawford sign
her name to said instrument in writing as and
for her last will and testament and that
[this] deponent at the same time heard
the said Martha Crawford declare the said
instrument to be her last will and testament
and that said instrument in writing was
as the same time at the request of the said
Martha Crawford and with her consent attested
and subscribed by the said Jame S Bonebrake
& Hermas P Downing in the presence of said
testator and in the presence of each
other as subscribing witnesses thereto
and that the said Martha Crawford was
at the time of the signing and subscribing
of the said instrument in writing as aforesaid
of free age (that is more than twenty one
years of age) and of sound and disposing
mind and memory and not under any
coercion or restraint as the said deponent
verily believes and further deponent says not
H. P. Downing

page 186

sworn to and subscribed by the said
Hermas P Downing before me Thomas F
Bryant Clerk of said court at Williamsport
the 19 day of August 1871
In attestation whereof I have hereunto
subscribed my name and affixed the
seal of said court
Thomas F Bryant clk

David Crawford’s Will – Barren County, Kentucky

One of the tasks handed me during my ‘Brick Wall’ Consultation was to review all of my data and document the elimination of individuals as potential fathers to James Crawford (1772-1854) of Preble County, Ohio.

Thus, I’m digging thru both my memory and my files. My memory was telling me that I had found a will for a Crawford in Barren County, Kentucky that eliminated this person as a father to James. Digging thru my files, I found some handwritten notes about a will in Barren County, Kentucky.

Thanks to FamilySearch’s digitization of the microfilm, I was able to locate the will and transcribe it.

Barren County Kentucky
Wills
Mixed Records, Vols. 1-2 1799-1829
FS Film 209740 DGS 4818752

Pge 200
Image 115
Will of David Crawford

In the name of God Amen
I David Craford of Barren County and State of Kentucky
being in sound mind & memory thanks to God for the same
I hereby make and ordain this my last will and statement
Beginning as followeth vix Items I give and be-
queath unto my loveing wife Polly all the land
whereupon I now live containing one hundred acres
more or less one bay mare called Couney bridle and
saddle one Horse Jack all the gear with one Plow
and irons one weeding hoe three Cows and Calves three
yews and lambs all the stock of hogs & all the House
hold & Kitchen furniture to have and to hold
during her single life or widow hood
Item
All the residue of my Estate not mentioned I wish sold to the
best advantage & after my just debts paid I wish applied to the maintaining &
schooling of all my children equally to them their heirs and assigns forever
Item provided my beloved wife shall intermarry my wish and desire is that all that I have
mentioned except the land shall be sold and equally divided between all my children.
Item provided my wife shall intermarry my wish & desire is the land shall be equally
divided between my two sons Jesse and James Fisher, to them their heirs
and assigns forever.
I hereby nominate and appoint Samuel Douglass
and my wife Polly Executors to this my last will and
Testament given my hand and seal this tenth day of
April 1812.
David (his mark) Crawford
Patrick Boisseau
George Douglass

Barren County Kentucky
Wills
Mixed Records, Vols. 1-2 1799-1829
FS Film 209740 DGS 4818752

Pge 358
Image 195

Estate of David Crawford
D Crawford settlement
Agreeable to an order of the Court of Barren County
to us Directed we the subscribers have examined the accounts of
Samuel Douglass Executor and Polly Crawford Executrix to the
Estate of David Crawford [vz ?] and find the sum of one
hundred and fifteen dollars 32 1/2 cents  in the hands of Samuel
Douglass due the Estate and find the sume of Ninety Eight Dollars and
20 cents in the hands of Polly Crawford due the Estate [to be wise]
the sum of one hundred and twenty eight dollars 5 cents of
Different notes not yet collected given under our hand this
17th of August 1816
Samuel Douglass Due to the Estate of D Crawford 115.32
By Commission for his services                               10.00
                                                      105.32
Polly Crawford due to the estate D Crawford         98.30
Do not collected                                                     28.05
                                                                             _______
                                                                               331.68
Patrick Boisseaur
Wm Renick
Joseph Neville
Barker T Anderson
returned August 1816 &O.R.

Did I Find a Marriage Record

Have you ever looked at a court document trying to figure out who all of the people are and suddenly realize you may have stumbled across something totally different?

Well, that was my situation yesterday. I found additional documentation for the 1779 will of John Crawford in Montgomery County, Virginia (Order Book 2, image 292),

At a court c/ and held for Montgomery County April 7th 1779

Last will and testament of John Crawford deceased proven by oath of George
[D]ouglas James Crawford and Bazewell Maxwell and ordered to be recorded

Administration of the Estate of Jno Crawford deceased with  the will annexed
[?]granted Rebecca Maxwell and James Crawford who entered into bond
[?] [a]nd security according to law

Ordered that Patrick Campbell James Campbell Robert Black and Archbald
Reaugh or any three of them being first sworn appraise the personal estate
and slaves if any of John Crawford Decd and make return thereof to the next
Court.

Inventory and appraisement of the Estate of John Maxwell decd returned
[?] Court and Ordered to be recorded

When I first looked at this entry, I was trying to link this record to my Kentucky research. One of the Crawfords I’m researching in Kentucky is Rebekah Crawford. Rebekah Crawford appears on the 1787 tax list in Lincoln County, Kentucky.

It is believed that Rebekah’s husband was John Crawford — the same John Crawford mentioned in the Montgomery County court record. I had previously located John Crawford’s will in the Montgomery County Virginia Wills Book B on image 474. 

I leave to my true and loving wife, Rebecah her thirds during her life and if she merys the estate is to be sold the land into be equally divided between my two sons James & Nathan Craford and a equal devid mong all the chidren of the stock and housal plenishingJohn Crawford

Since Rebekah Crawford of Lincoln County, Virginia is believed to be the mother of the James Crawford who married Martha Knight, this will could be for Rebakah’s husband. However, I don’t have any mention of a Nathan Crawford in my research. Thus, I needed more proof. 

I believe that yesterday I found the support to tie the will of John Crawford in Montgomery County, Virginia to Rebekah Crawford in Lincoln, County, Kentucky. The names of the witnesses to the Montgomery County will are also found in the area of Kentucky where Rebekah lived.

Rebekah may have been listed on the tax roles in Lincoln County, Kentucky, but the land she purchased lies in what is now Garrard County, Kentucky. Rebekah purchased that land from George Douglass. George Douglass is believed to be the brother of Rebekah Crawford. 

Other Crawfords living in Garrard County include James and William Crawford. James’ wife was Rebecca Anderson Maxwell. James and his wife Rebecca, along with Bazewell Maxwell and his wife and others are the grantors on a deed for land from the John Anderson estate. Thus, James Crawford and Bazewell Maxwell are brothers-in-law.

Thus, all three witnesses to the John Crawford will can be found in Garrard County, Kentucky.

As I re-read the court entries, I couldn’t figure out the reference to Rebecca Maxwell. None of the information I have suggested that Rebecca Crawford remarried. Then it dawned on me — Rebecca Anderson Maxwell married James Crawford. 

I think the marriage bond of Rebecca Maxwell and James Crawford is buried between entries regarding the will of John Crawford.

[?]granted Rebecca Maxwell and James Crawford who entered into bond
[?] [a]nd security according to law

Unfortunately, the left side of the page is missing, so I will never know for certain that this is a record for a marriage bond. However, the names, date and place fit.

So, what do you think?

Are the witnesses enough to tie the death of John Crawford in Montgomery County, Virginia to Rebecca Crawford of Lincoln/Garrard Counties, Kentucky?

Is that a record of a marriage bond for Rebecca Maxwell and James Crawford?

James Crawford Will

The will of James Crawford, husband of Martha Knight, was entered into court records on 12 February 1834 in the Probate Court of Warren County, Indiana.

Indiana, Wills and Probate Records, 1789-1999, James Crawford, 5 Sep 1931; database with images, Ancestry.com http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online March 2019.

page 11

Record of

[State of Indiana Warren County

Be it remembered that on the 12th day of February
AD 1834 there was filed in the office of the Clerk of
the Probate Court of said County a will and tes
tament of James Crawford late of said county
deceased which will & Testament and affidvit
or probate anexed thereto reads in the words &
figures following to wit]

“In the name of God amen I James Crawford
of the County of Warren and State of Indiana being at
present of sount and disposing mind and memory
do make and publish this and no to be my last will
and testament in manner and form following to wit
is to say — First I give and bequeath unto my
beloved wife Martha the whole of the farm where
on I now live that is to say Eighty acres across the
north end of the quarter section No 21 R8 W T21 N
Together with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging
and I do fur : give and bequeath unto her all
the stock and other property belong to said farm
together with all my household furniture all of
which is to be for her use and disposal during her
natural lifetime – And at the death of my
above name wife Martha I then give and bequeath
unto my beloved daughter Celinda the whole of
the above described eighty acres of land whereon
I now live to be for her use and disposal forever
And I do further will and bequeath unto my
beloved son Harvey H Crawford all the south
half of the above named and described quarter
section so soon as he becomes of full and lawful
age to be at his sue and disposal forever – And I
further give and bequeath unto him a young
horse known by the names of Poney to be at his
disposal forever.

page 12

And I do also give and bequeath unto my beloved
daughter Polly Swank the East half of SW quar
ter section no five T21N R8West – to be at her
sole use and disposal forever to make her equal with
my daughters Betsey Lincoln and Sally Shanklin
John D Crawford and William A Crawford and
James S Crawford – and I do also give and beque
ath unto my beloved daughter Rebekah all the west
half of the above described section No five T21 N R
8 west to be at her sole use and disposal forever
And I do also give and bequeath unto my beloved
daughter Nancy all the East half of the Northwest
quarter section eight T21 N R8W to be at her
sole use and disposal forever — And I do more
over give and bequeath unto my beloved sons James
& Harvey Crawford one hundred dollars out of a
note which I hold on Adam Swinehart which
money is to be laid out for an eight acre lot of
band to be equally divided between them both and
be at their disposal forever
And I do hereby ratify and confirm this and no oth
er to be my last will and testament. In witness
whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal
this fifth day of Sepber in the year of our Lord
1831. And I do hereby constitute my Friends Will
iam Pugh and D. D. Hall to be my executors of
this my last will and testament.
James Crawford (seal)
Attest
John C Irvin
James Higgenbottrom
State of Indiana Warren County Sct
Warren Probate Court February Term Ad 1834
Be it remembered that on the 12th day of Februa
ry aforesaid being the third judicial day of the
aforesaid term of the court into open court

page 13

came John C Irvin and James Higenbottrom the
subscribing witnesses to the anexed will and testament
of James Crawford who being duly sworn upon their
oaths say that they saw the said James the testator
sign and seal said will and heard him proclaim
it to be his last will and tesament and that they
verily believe at the time of his doing the same he
the said James was of sound and disposing mind
memory and understanding and that they at that
time subscribed their names as witnesses thereto at his
the said Testators request.
John C. Irvin
James Higginbottrom
Sworn to and subscribed in open court this twelfth
day of February AD one thousand eight hundred
and thirty four
James Cunningham Clerk
By J Kinkennon depty
Recorded the twelfth day of February in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
thirty four
James Cunningham Clerk of the
Probate Court of Warren County Indiana

Will of James Crawford

Preble County, Ohio
Wills V.1, B-C 1808-1854
FS Film 564860 DGS 5868427

Image 555
page 389

James Crawford Will
The State of Ohio Preble County
In the Matter of James Crawfords Will
Be it remembered that heretofore to with before
the Probate Court within and for the County of Preble
and State of Ohio, held at the Court House in Eaton the
28th day of July Eighteen hundred and fifty four, by
John V. Campbell Judge of said Court the last will
and testament of James Crawford late of Gasper Township
in the County deceased was this day brought before
the Court and was proved by the oaths of Isaac Stephens
and Edward Laning two of the witnesses thereto whose
examinations were reduced to writing, and it
appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that the said
James Crawford at the time of executing said will
was of full age of sound mind and memory
and not under any restraint. It is ordered that
said will and the proof so reduced to writing be
recorded. And thereupon our motion of Nelson G. Crawford
the Executor in said will named. It is ordered that Letters
Testamentary be granted to the said Nelson G. Crawford
who thereupon gave in Undertaking with William
Duggins senr. and Nathaniel R Lockwood security
to the acceptance of the Court in the penalty of
Eight hundred Dollars conditioned according
to law whereupon it is ordered by the Court that
Joseph L. Campbell, John Halderman jr and
Thomas Stephens appraise the personal property
of said estate said will is in the words & figures
following to wit. I James Crawford, of Preble
County Ohio, do make and publish this my last
will and testament in the manner following
and first. It is my will that all my just debts
and funeral expenses be fully paid out of my estate
and secondly, I give devise and bequeth

Page 390

to my wife Sally Crawford the full use privilege and
benefit of all my estate both real and personal to be held
used, occupied and enjoyed by her during her natural life
for the purposes of affording her a comfortable and competent
support and maintainance during her said natural life and
for no other use or purpose. I give and bequeth to my
grand daughter Mary Ann Wikle fifty dollars to
be paid to her out of my estate within a reasonable
time after the death of my said wife. I give and
bequeth to my grand daughter Martha Jane Stoner
fifty Dollars to be paid to her out of my estate at the
time last above mentioned. And lastly, I give, devise
and bequeth to my son Nelson G Crawford all the residue and
remainder of my estate both real and personal of every kind
and description whatever to be held used occupied and
enjoyed by him and his heirs and assigns forever as an
absolute estate of inheritance subject however to the
incumbrance of the life estate herein created in favor
of my said wife and the two legacies herein before mentioned
to my said grand daughters. I wish it distinctly understood
that at the decease of my said wife and on payment of the
two legacies above mentioned my said son Nelson is to
have all of my estate and property, real and personal
of every kind and description whatever as I have said
before and I do hereby appoint my said son Nelson
G. Crawford Executor of this my last will and
testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal this 25th day of October 1851
James Crawford (seal)
Signed and sealed in the presence of us: I Stephens E Laning
said testimony is in the word and figures following to wit
The State of Ohio Preble County Probate Court of Preble
County July 28th AD 1854. Personally appeared in open Court
Isaac Stephens & Edward Laning of lawful age, who being duly
sworn depose and say that the paper writing now exhibited in Court
is the last will and testament of James Crawford late of Preble County deceased
That they saw him sign and heard him acknowledge the same; that they
signed the same as witnesses in his presence and at his request and that at the time
of executing the same, he was of full age, of sound mind and memory, and not
under any restraint. I, Stephen E Laning, Sworn & subscribed
in open Court the 28th day of July AD 1854, John W. Campbell, Probate Judge
And afterward to wit: before the Probate Court aforesaid, to wit
on the 3rd day of October AD 1854 Sally Crawford widow
of James Crawford late of this county deceased this day
appeared in open court and made her election to take
the provisions of her deceased husbands will in lien
of her dower.

Adams Will

Since the deed for Adams Crawford’s purchase of land was from the estate of Thomas Adams, I decided to try and locate a probate record or will for Thomas Adams. I was able to locate an 1808 will for Thomas Adams in Pulaski County.

Pulaski County, Kentucky

Wills 1801-1838
FS FIlm 598753 DGS 4820049

Page 46 Image 37
Pulaski County Kentucky

Adam Thomas

I Thomass Addams being of a sound mind and good
memory do make and ordain this my last will
and testament after recommending my soul to
God hoping for a glourious resurrection there the
interpresilion of the Lord Jesus Christ; as to my
wourldly concerns my will is that they shall
be disposed of n the following manner to wit
[Item] the my will is that my sister Jane
McIlewee have all the rents of my land during
her life but to have no power to make a tresfer of
said land my will also that at the death of
my sister should she be  longer lives is
that all my lands should be sold and my
will is also that in [nesse] to wit Marhtay
Gilman have a likely young Negro wentch
not to excede seventeen years of age

Page 47

The said negro to be n the position of my
self and sister during our lives then to be
disposed of as above and in case there should
be no negro goal in that case my will is
that my nese above mentioned shall have
three hundred dollars out of the money arising from the
sail of any of my lands, I will to Jane
Gilmore sew a large Vallom of [Jasefus]
Ritins now in posstion of said Gilman
I will also to my nese above to wit Martha
Gilmore my bed and fernuture my will
is also that after my just debts and being
charges are paid the hole the ballence of
my estate to be disposed of in the following
manner, to wit, they nefew William McK[?]
and my nese as before mentioned to wit
Marthy Gilmore with all the heirs of the
said Marthey and Jane Gilmore
that shaul be livint at the [t?]
this my will should be executed and all
the heirs my nese Margret Crofford wife of
Alexander Crofford that shall be living as a[?]

page 48

The estate as before mentioned to be equally
decided amon the above mentioned legetees
my will is also that my trusty friends John
James, William Hamilton see that the
into fully and justly executed signed and
delivered in presents of us Sept the 23 1[?]

Thomas Addams

John James
Joseph McAllaster
John Presston

At a Court held for Pulaski County on Monday
27th day of June 1808 This will was proven
the true last will and testament of Thomas
Adams decd by the oath of John James [J?]
Preston two of the witnesses thereto and [?]
another court held for the said county
Monday the 22d day of August in the said
year the said will was fully proven to be [?]
act and deed, of the said Thomas Adams [?]
the oath of Joseph McAllaster, another wit[ness]
thereto, and the same has been duly recorded in
my office as per order of said court
Test Will [Fox]