James
Burnham
of
Kentucky
In the name of God, Amen.
I
James Burnham, being in perfect health, sound in mind and of a
disposing
memory, but having lived four score years and more, and realizing that
I am now in the evening of life and that death is certain and desiring
to give a token of my love and appreciation and many kindnesses shown
me
by those hereinafter named and knowing full well all of the property of
which I am possessed, its kind, character, quality and value thereof,
likewise
knowing and remembering all of my kindred and relations, and all those
who have just or moral claims upon my bounty, being un-influenced and
un-solicited,
by any person whatever, and knowing all those to whom I owe a debt of
gratitude,
and desiring while living to make just and proper distribution of all
my
worldly goods, I now make and publish this my last will and testament.
It is my
First desire that at my death
and as soon thereafter as practicable, that all my just debts and
liabilities
be paid, including the necessary and proper expenses of my last
illness,
and a suitable burial which I doubt not that my relatives will give me,
and it is my desire that these debts be paid promptly after my death.
Second, I give and bequeath
to little Tommey Curd, now about ten years old, son of J. E. Curd, of
whom
I am very fond, and who has exhibited a great fondeness for me, and a
token
of my love for this child, I give and bequeath to said little Tommey
Curd,
my silver watch which I have owned and carried since the year 1855. And
it is my wish and desire that the said little Tommey Curd shall keep it
so long as he may live.
Third, I give and bequeath
unto Martha W. Collins, a niece of mine by marriage, whom I raised, who
has been exceedingly kind to me, all of my household and kitchen
furniture
of every kind, character and description.
Fourth, I give and bequeath
to the said Martha W. Collins, three hundred dollars to be paid in cash
at my death, which we are to use in buying and selling stock, and D.T.
Collins is to feed the stock and take care of them until sold. And the
said D. T. Collins is to have two thirds of the profit that we make on
the stock, and the said Burnham is to have the other third.of the
profit.
Fifth, I give and bequeath
to the said Martha W. Collins, my horse and buggy at my death,
and
if there should be anything left after paying all claims of my last
illness
and my burial expenses and the bequest ($300) three hundred dollars to
said Martha W. Collins, after paying all claims thereof.
Sixth, should there be a
surplus,
I give and bequeath to my nephews, Lucian Burnham, Adolphus Burnham,
and
Z. Burnham, all that remains of my effects in money or notes, after
what
is herein specified, the same to be equally divided between my three
nephews
Lucian, Dolphus, Zonas Burnham.
Seventh. I hereby appoint
Lucian Burnham, Dolphus Burnham, Z. Burnham as a committee and enjoin
upon
them to have the date of my death sculptured upon the monument now
marking
the last resting place of my deceased wife Celia Burnham.
Lastly, I now hereby name,
nominate and appoint my nephew Dolphus Burnham, and J.H. Collins,
Executors
of this my last will and testament, and it is expressly provided that
they
shall be permitted to qualify as such Executors of this my last will
and
testament. They shall be paid and receive twenty-five dollars ($25.00)
no more. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in
the
presence of Sidney Pace E.M. Pace on this the fourteenth day of
March
1906.
Witness:
Sidney Pace
E.M. Pace
James Burnham
Recorded January 11th 1908 J.N. Henson, Clerk