Person:Thomas Vest (10)

Will of THOMAS RICHARD VEST:

I Thomas Vest of the county of Boone, and state of Kentucky, being of sound mind and disposing memory for which I thank God, and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being desirous to dispose of such worldly estate as it hath pleased god to bless me with , I give and bequeath the same in manner following.

1st- I desire that after my death that all my just debts and funeral expense be paid.

2nd- I give to my wife Elizabeth and my son Benjamin F. Vest that part of my farm on which I now live containing about one hundred and fifty acres & bounded as follows. Beginning at dogwood saplings and sugar tree corner. To William Roberts on what I call Long Branch. Thence down the same to the creek-thence down the creek to the mouth of a branch near the lower end of what is called the Long Hole-thence up said branch to the forks, thence up the right hand fork to a cross fence-thence with said fence to my lane near to a corner of William Roberts-thence with the line of said Roberts and myself to the beginning. I also give to them two negro slaves named Charles and Malinda. Also two horses to be worth 75 dollars each or their value in money. Also two milk cows, 12 head of sheep or their value. Also 12 months provisions, three plows and three pair of gear.

My desire is that Benjamin and his mother shall live together, but if any disturbance or difficulty should take place between them or either party becomes dissatisfied, my wife must then have one third part of the land and the use of one half of the mansion house. Also the two slaves and all the stock heretofore named during her natural life and at her death to be equally divided among my children as hereafter to be named.

Benjamin is to have the balance of the land and the other half of the mansion house and at his mother's death all the land is to be his own. Benjamin is also to have the horse he now claims or one equally as good when he arrives at the age of twenty one years. Benjamin must pay to me or to my heirs after my death one thousand dollars without interest, and if not paid till after my death he must pay one hundred and fifty dollars per year until he pays two thirds of the amount & no more until he gets all the land in possession after his mother's death. He is also to have reasonable indulgence for any amount he may not be able to pay as they become due on each payment by his paying interest for all that he may lack, & no payment to be due until he is twenty two years of age.

Also I give to my wife all the household furniture to dispose of as she may think best.

3rd- All the land I own lying between the land bequeathed to my wife and my son Benjamin and Lick Branch I give and bequeath to my son George W. Vest, supposed to be one hundred and fifty acres and also the mare which he now has in his possession.

4th-I give to my son Thomas C. Vest all my lands lying on the east side of the Long Branch adjoining the lands of William Roberts, Phillip Roberts, and Hamilton Johnson, James Florence and the old Finnell farm, supposed to be one hundred and seventy two acres. He must pay to me during my life or to my heirs after my death one thousand dollars without interest , and if not paid until after my death he must pay two hundred dollars per year until the whole amount is paid with the privilege of reasonable indulgence on each payment as they become due or any amount he may not be able to pay on each payment by his paying interest on what ever amounts he may so lack. No payment to be due until he has had full possession of the land one year. Also the two horses which he has in his possession.

5th- I give to my two daughters Sarah E. Vest & Jarusha A. Vest 1 thousand dollars each and if not given by me during my life to be paid to them at their marriage or at the age of twenty one years.

6th- All the rest of my estate both real and personal of whatever nature or kind it may be, including what is bequeathed, and the two thousand dollars to be paid by Thomas and Benjamin not heretofore particularly disposed of I desire may be equally divided among five of my children; William L. Vest, John A. Vest, Mary J. Breeden, Sarah E. Vest, & Jarusha A. Vest which I give to them, their heirs, executor administrators and assigns forever. In witness whereof I have hereinto set my hand and seal the 25th day of July 1854. Signed sealed and published and declared as and for the last will and testament of the above named Thomas Vest in the presence of us.---Thomas Roberts, William Roberts, James Sleet Jr, S.J. Hume

Thomas Vest

"x" his mark

In giving to Benjamin and my wife the two slaves named in this will, it is to be so understood that Benjamin has no claim of them after his mother's death. ________________________________________________________________________________

Boone County Court

July term

An instrument of writing bearing date July 25th 1854, purporting to be the last will and testament of Thomas Vest, was this day produced in Court & was proven by the oath of William C. Roberts subscribing witness thereto as was also proven by said Roberts the attestation of the other subscribing witnesses thereto wherefore it is ordered that writing be and the same is hereby allowed and established as and for the last will and testament of said Thomas Vest deceased and admitted to record as such.

Attest: A.G. Gaines-Clerk

By J.W. Duncan-d.c. ________________________________________________________________________________

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Jomartin1@@worldnet.att.net. Research by Mary Jo Martin. (Dec. 2005).
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Thomas Vest family, in Boone, Kentucky, United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication T9)
   8 Jun 1880.

   ED 32, Sheet 530A, Dwelling 113, Family 117, Lines 24-26, NARA microfilm publication T9-0403