O. Thornton’s Will
In the name of God Amen !
I Orville Thornton do make and publish this as my last will and testament
hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me at any time made.
First. I will my Soul to God.
Secondly. I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debts be paid
as soon after my death as possible out of any moneys that I may die possessed
of or may first come into the hands of my Executor.
Thirdly. I desire that my slaves Eliza, Angeline, Bill and Jack
be sold at Palmyra upon nine months credit, first giving forty days notice,
Eliza and Jack to be sold together.
Fourthly. I desire all my perishable property sold upon the premises
on nine months credit except my riding horse Wallace & Blacke filly.
I wish Wallace sold at Palmyra at the time the slaves are sold and
for cash.
Fifthly. I value my farm & crops except the rents at seven hundred
dollars & will and desire that my nephew Samuel Allen and niece Sally
Williams have it, and pay to my executor in twelve months from the time
of the sale of the slaves whatever amount may be over his or her distributive
share of my Estate. I make this disposition of my Land that it may
not be sold, but retained in the family.
It is my request that Sally Williams and husband move to my home as
soon after my death as practicable.
Sixthly I desire my nephew Madison Allen to take my slave Hart upon
whom I place no value, he being crippled, neither is he to account my Executor
or Heirs for Hart. It is my sincere wish that my nephew Madison Allen
protect Hart and treat him kindly and never sell him unless it should be
Harts request.
Seventhly I wish my executor to pay to my nephew Samuel Williamson
of Memphis, Three hundred and fifteen dollars for Land sold by me to George
Rolins, upon his making a deed to my executor for said Land. I have
deducted seventy dollars of the amount the Land sold for in consequence
of that amount having been paid by Henry Thornton to George Williamson
the father of Samuel Williamson upon said Land.
Eighthly I will to Montgomery Vermont Heathcock the tract of Land upon
which Elizabeth Heathcock now lives, nine acres more or less as the deed
will show. Elizabeth Heathcock to have the privilege of living upon
it her life time. I desire my executor to sell the Black Filly mentioned
in the fourth clause at the time & place he sells my other perishable
property on four months time & apply proceeds of her sale to the use
& benefit of Montgomery Vermont Heathcock on furnishing him cloth &
provisions. I further more wish my executor to retain one hundred
dollars in his possession to be applied to the education of Montgomery
Vermont Heathcock as he my executor thinks best for him.
Eighthly The remainder of my estate I wish equally divided between
my legal heirs.
Ninethly I do nominate and appoint my friend Robert H. McFall
my executor. In witness whereof I do to this my Will set my hand
and seal. This 3rd day of May 1858.
O. THORNTON SS
Signed, sealed & published in our presence and we have subscribed
our names here to in the presence of the testator.
This 3rd day of May 1858.
Witness I. H. Marable
W. H. Dilling
Recorded at May term 1858
Wm Rogers Clerk
Submitted by Deanna Oklepek
Return to the Montgomery County Home Page