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The will of John McManis Sr.
dated 28 July
1805, filed for probate 2 October 1805, Jefferson Co., KY
photocopied from microfilm 18 Oct 2000 at the Filson Club
Library, Louisville, KY
microfilm – Jefferson Co., KY will book 1, page 177
photocopied again 16 Sep 2004 at the 119 St. Family History Center, Vancouver WA
FHL Microfilm 588537, Jefferson Co. Will Book 1, page
177-180
Transcribed 16 Dec 2004 by L. A. Dean
Capitalization, punctuation and spelling as they appear on the microfilm. (?)
indicates the immediately preceding word is questionable. Problems with the
photocopies and the extremely poor penmanship make this will very difficult to
read. Words enclosed in [ ] are editorial comments.
In the name of God amen I John McMannis a Farmer of Jefferson County and state
of Kentucky calling to mind that [it] is appointed for all men once to die – do
make this my last will and testament – In the first place I give and recommend
my soul to almighty god and desire that my body may be buried in decent(?)
Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors – and as I am in perfect mind
and memory (though weak in body) I give and depose of my worldly effects and
property in the following form(?) and manner. – To Wit In the first place I give
and bequeath unto my Dear and loving wife ann McMannis if she comes over her
present confution(?) [this word is very hard to read here but the second time
it appears the spelling is very clear – it probably means confusion, but could
be confliction or consumption] her living(?) off my place and for it and my
negro man Moses not to be sold until her death and for all her household affects
[sic] &c [etc.] that goe(?) with her it is my will for her to keep and my
other Household affects [sic] and domestic property it is my Desire that
it may be may be [sic] immediately sold at public sale – and in case my
wife dies with her present confution [same comment] on [or?]
sickness(?) – It is my will that all my effects that pertains(?) & belongs to me
may be sold at public sale as soon as the law allows except my negro man Mosses
and him to be hind(?) untill(?) he and my other affects [sic] makes up the sume(?)
of two hundred and fifty pounds, and, that in case my Landill(?) and (?) other
property amount to the afore mentioned sum it is my will that he the said negroe
be set free and also after(?) he by his kin(?) raises with the other effects the
said sum to be set free and the above mentioned sum I give and bequeath as
follows to my children that is to my son John McMannis fifty pounds George
McMannis fifty pounds and James McMannis fifty pounds and also to my Daughter
Margaret Morgan the sum of fifty pounds and to my step daughter Ruth Williamson
fifty pounds and for all of my just debts to be paid previous thereto. In case
the said negroe dies(?) before the above sum is made up it is my desire that the
said Legeses do have equal shares of the remain affects [sic] or money that
arises(?) therefrom I do declare this to be my last will and testament and do
disannull all other wills and decrees and do appoint my son George McMannis and
trusty friend William Welch my Executors in the same(?) and further I give(?) my
step sons George and Moses Williamson one cow each The above I acknowledge and
set my hand and seal this twenty eighth day of July one Thousand Eight Hundred
and Five
wit: Thomas Stafferd(?)
his
Geo’ Bishop
John O McMannis (seal)
Rich’d Mills
mark
At a County court held for Jefferson County at the court house in Louisville on
Monday the 2nd day of October 1805 The within Instrument of writing purporting
to be the last will and testament of John McMannis dec’d was produced in court
and proved by the oaths of Thomas Stafford George Bishop and Richard Mills the
subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded Test
Worden Pope.
---------------------------------------------------------
Comment 1: The inventory of John McMannis’ estate dated 16 Sep 1805 notes
that the negro man Moses valued at £80 is set free “as directed by the
testator.” This inventory was ordered by the August 1805 session of the court.
Based on this, I (LAD) believe that both John and his wife, Ann, died between
the date of his will (28 Jul 1805) and the date of this inventory (16 Sep 1805).
Comment 2: A John Williamson was killed at one of the bloodiest massacres in
early Kentucky history. In September 1781 a Miami Indian party killed over 60
pioneers at the Linn’s Station Massacre. They were en route from Squire Boone’s
Painted Stone Station to safety at forts farther west. Not long after that, the
estate of the late John Williamson was appraised by John McMannis, Rich’d
Chenoweth and Thomas Curry. John McMans (sic) and Ann Williamson, widow, were
married January 16, 1791 in Jefferson County, KY.
Comment 3: The testator in the will above is very probably the same John McManis
Sr. who is listed with his two sons, John Jr. and George, in the Muster Roll of
Captain William Harrod’s Company at the Falls of the Ohio, early 1779. http://www.nataliesnet.com/mcmanus/muster_rolls.htm
For more information on John McManis Sr. and his descendants, contact Larry Dean
- ladean AT worldaccessnet DOT com
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April 08, 2009