Last will and testament of William Meriwether [TMSI #107]
Written October 26, 1790
Proved  February 1, 1791
Jefferson Co., Kentucky

In the name of God. Amen. I, William Meriwether, Senior, of the County of Jefferson, being of sound mind and memory, do make and appoint this my last will (and) testament and do dispose of my estate in the following manner, to-wit:

Imprimis. I lend unto my wife, Patty Meriwether, during her natural life, the plantation, houses and land whereon I now live, supposed to be about two hundred and eighty acres, part of the land I purchased of A. S. Dandridge, and after her decease to give and bequeath the said land and plantation to my son, William Meriwether, to him and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and devise to my son, Valentine Meriwether, two hundred and three acres of land, the balance of the tract of land whereon I now live and adjoining the above described land, and bounded by the (lines) Yancy made for him, to him and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and devise to James Meriwether, my son-in-law, one hundred acres of land, to include the plantation where he now lives, being part of a tract of land I purchased of Nicholas Meriwether, on the south fork of Bear Grass Creek, and agreeable to the lines that are established between him, the said James Meriwether, my son-in-law, and my son, William Meriwether, to him and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and devise to my son, William Meriwether, the balance of the last mentioned tract of land, of which James Meriwether hath one hundred acres bequeathed, every part or parcel thereof, to him, the said William Meriwether, my son, to him and his heirs forever. Item. It is my will and desire that my executors do sell so much of my other lands not contained in the before mentioned clauses as will settle my just debts; and after the said debts are paid, I give and devise the balance of my land unto my three sons, David Wood Meriwether, William Meriwether and Valentine Meriwether, to be among them equally and impartially divided, to them and their heirs forever.

Item. I give and devise to James Meriwether, my son-in-law, a negro boy, called Simon, son of Agnes, to him and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and devise unto John Hughes, my son-in-law, a negro girl, called Rachel (a child of Aggeys), to him and his heirs forever.

Item. I lend unto my wife, Patty Meriwether, during her natural life, all the rest of my negroes, stock, furniture and property of every kind, except debts due me, by her, disposed of at her death or at any time before, as she may choose, among my children or grandchildren, which gift shall be as good and valid as tho' I had made it myself. I do constitute and appoint D. W. Meriwether, William Meriwether, Valentine Meriwether, John Hughes and James Meriwether executors of my last will and testament.

In witness, 1 have hereunto set my hand and seal 26th day of October, 1790.

WILLIAM MERIWETHER (Seal).

Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence:
John Clark,
G. R. Clark,
A. Churchill,
Henry Churchill.

At a Court held for Jefferson County (Kentucky) the first of February, 1791, this last will and testament of William Meriwether, deceased, was produced in Court, and, being proved by Jno. Clark, George R. Clark and Henry Churchill, witnesses thereto (it was) ordered to be recorded.

(Copy) (Attest): Will Johnston, C. J. C. Geo. H. Webb, Clerk. By Chas. D. Greppen, D. C.