David Hall lay on his death bed and either wrote or dictated his last will and testament in the presence of Simeon Hall, David Paris, and Albert E. Hubbard on 9 Apr 1814. He directed how his estate was to be divided among his wife Rachel, his two sons William and Asa, and his four daughters Mary, Nancy, Barbara, and Fay. He also mentioned a grandson, Asa Porter, to whom he left a cow and calf. He then nominated three sons-in-law, Alexander King, Nicholas Gentry, and Richard Lovelace to execute his will; and gave them an additional task of executing deeds to Asa, Clifton and Simeon Hall, Simeon Harris, & Simeon Hall Jr.
David Hall died shortly thereafter for his will was probated in County Court in May 1814. and recorded in the Bullitt County Will Book A on pages 200-201. We have attempted to transcribe his will below. An image of it follows the transcription.
In the name of God amen. I David Hall of the County of Bullitt & Commonwealth of Kentucky, being in a debilitated state of health but in my right senses, have a desire and do dispose of all the property which I am possessed of in this following manner, to wit:
Imprimis I do give to my beloved wife Rachel one grey mare and saddle and this bed on which I now am lying, also the house & orchard and the small pieces of ground that we've heretofore cultivated about the house, and to be left with her to later what of this household furniture that she may deem necessary for her own use. Whereas this field which I call my field during her life and at her death to fall into this estate to be equally divided among my four after named daughters, this land excepted.
Item 2. I give and bequeath unto my two sons William & Asa Hall all the land which I hold as mine to be divided in this following manner. Beginning at Mr. Stringers line and run a straight line to the dividing line which now separates the field of my son William and the field now cultivated by my son Asa then with said fence(?) in a direct line to my spring run then down said run to McCullocks run. My said son William to have the mansion(?) whereon he now lives. My son Asa to have the mansion(?) where he now lives.
Item 3. I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary King two hundred dollars including what I have heretofore given her, a memorandom of which may be seen in a small book where mention is made of what I ever have given her.
Item 4. I do give and bequeath unto my daughter Nancy Porter two hundred dollars including what she has had which may be seen aforesaid.
Item 5. I do give and bequeath unto my daughter Barbary Gentry the sum of two hundred dollars with what I have heretofore given her which may be found as above mentioned.
Item 6. I give and bequeath unto Fay Lovelace two hundred dollars including what I have heretofore give her which may be found as above mentioned.
Item 7. I give and bequeath to my grand son Asa Porter one cow and calf which I now milk.
Item 8. Now if after the foregoing bequeaths are made there should stll remain property to any amount whatever, I wish it to be equally divided between my four above mentioned daughters.
Item 9. I do hereby nominate and appoint Alexander King, Nicholas Gentry, and Richard Lovelace executors of this my last will and testament, and it is my wish that they shall execute deeds to Asa, Clifton and Simeon Hall, Simeon Harris, & Simeon Hall Jr., in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 9th day of April in the year of our Lord 1814.
(signed) David Hall
(witnesses) Simeon Hall, David Paris, Albert E. Hubbard
At the County Court held for Bullitt County on Monday the 3rd day of July 1815, it was ordered that all papers files in the clerks office of this county & which by law was required to be recorded should be recorded. Witnesseth - in pursuance of which order I James Holbert, clerk of said county court, do certify that the foregoing last will and testament of David Hall, decd, hath been thus recorded in my said office, this same having been duly proven at a County Court held for said County in May 1814 by the oaths of Simeon Hall & Albert E. Hubbard, two subscribing witnesses thereto, given under my hand this 11 day of August 1815.
(signed) James Holbert
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The Bullitt County History Museum, a service of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is located in the county courthouse at 300 South Buckman Street (Highway 61) in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The museum, along with its research room, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday appointments are available by calling 502-921-0161 during our regular weekday hours. Admission is free. The museum, as part of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization and is classified as a 509(a)2 public charity. Contributions and bequests are deductible under section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code. Page last modified: 12 Jan 2024 . Page URL: bullittcountyhistory.org/bchistory/david-hall-1814-will.html
