The Jennings Family

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)