This page will someday present the lineage of the family of Nancy Jennings, who
married John Graham in Bardstown, Kentucky in 1824. This Jennings family is from
Connecticut. The Nelson County, Kentucky Marriage
Bonds 1785-1832 record some of their activities and relationships. Presented below
are a two Jennings wills: Hatsel Jennings is Nancy's father; Isreal is Hatsel's
brother.
Will of Hatsel Jennings
In the name of God, Amen, I Hatsel Jennings of the County of Nelson and the State of
Kentucky do make this my last will and testament, being of sound mind and good
judgement. First, that my funeral expenses be paid and all my just debts and demands.
I also give and bequeath to my beloved wife Elender Anderson Jennings all my land and
personal estate including the negroes to have the sole management of it so long as she
remains a widow. If she should ever marry she shall then be entitled to her third
during her life, then equally divided among all my children. I also will if my wife
should marry that the remaining two-thirds should be divided equally among all my
children. I also wish it to be said and stated that those of my children that are, or
may grow up to the years of men and women all that they receive is to be counted in the
proportional part. I acknowledge this to be my last will and testament this 23rd day
of November, 1825. Witness my hand and seal.
Issac Taylor, Henry Gore, witnesses
Hatsel Jennings (seal)
At a County court held for Nelson County at the courthouse in Bardstown on the 11th day
of September, 1826, the above last will and testament of Hatsel Jennings, deceased, was
read in court and proved by the oaths of Issac Taylor and Henry Gore, the subscribing
witnesses hereto, and ordered to be recorded.
Teste Grayson, clerk
At a County court held for Nelson County at the courthouse in Bardstown on the 13th day
of November, 1826, on the motion of Issac Taylor and Elender Jennings, administrators
of the above will of the goods, chattles and credits of Hatsel Jennings, deceased, was
granted them, they with Arthur Graham and Henry Gore thus subscribed, having given bond in the penalty of $3,000.00 conditions as prescribed by law and having taken the oath of law in such considerations.
Teste, Thos Grayson, clerk
Will of Isreal Jennings
I, Isreal Jennings of Pleasant Township and Brown County in the State of Ohio, do take
my pen into my hand and to write my last will and testament. Whereas I am in my
eighty-fourth year of my age and I expect time to depart this life - God's will be done
- being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory - and blessed be God for
the same - my will is as follows: this is to say I bequeath my spirit to God who gave
it and my body to dust from whence it came - as to my earthly interests, I do make and
publish my last will and testament in manner and form as follows: I give and bequeath
to my beloved wife Charity Freeman Jennings two beds and all the furniture ther unto
belongin and two tables and one cupbord and the cupboard ware and one bureau and six
Windsor chairs and the third of all my other personal property and real estate during
her natural life, and I do also give and bequeath unto Isreal Jennings, my dearly
beloved son, ten dollars, and I do give and bequeath unto Elender Anderson (wife of my
deceased son, Hatsel) my daughter-in-law ten dollars and I do give and bequeath unto my
daughter Livy York ten dollars and I do give unto my daughter Deborah ten dollars and I
do give and bequeath unto my Daughter Lydia Davis ten dollars and the above money
mentioned to be paid to them by Isaac Jennings and William Jennings in two years from
my death and I do bequeath to my grand daughter Deborah Hicks five dollars. I also
give five dollars to my grand daughter ? Hicks to be paid to them when they come of
age and I do give and bequeath unto Isaac Jennings and William Jennings, my sons, two
thirds of all my personal property after taking out what household property I give my
dear wife Charity Jennings and I do bequeath unto Isaac Jennnings, my son, and William
Jennings, my son, all my real estate unto said Isaac and William to take two thirds in
possession at my death the other third at the death of my dearly beloved wife therein
that case Isaac and William Jennings to be executors and administrators in witness
whereof I have set my hand and seal this the 23rd day of August in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight.
Isreal Jennings (seal)