Daviess County KyArchives Wills.....Moorman, Silas Mercer September 24, 1861 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ky/kyfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Cindy Courtier courtierwrites@sbcglobal.net July 4, 2021, 11:18 am Source: Davies Co. Ky Library Written: September 24, 1861 Recorded: August 25, 1864 Will of Silas Mercer Moorman 24 September 1861 I S M Moorman being of sound mind and disposing memory but knowing the uncertainty of life (especially in absence of law and constitutional right under the usurpations of Abraham Lincoln and his wiling and lawless minions) make and ordain this my last will and testament revoking all others. 1st I desire that my just debts be paid out of whatever estate in deb notes title deeds or other property I may have at my death after first paying for my funereal (?) expenses and allowed a burial in this once free but now down trodden country. 2nd I will and desire that my brothers John and Robert G. Moorman or one of these as they may arrange shall qualify as my executor or executors with full power to sell convey and ____ title to any real estate of which I may die possessed if they think it to be to the interest of my estate to make such sale. Also to make deed to any real estate that I may have sold and not conveyed and in all respects to make such arrangements with my business as in their judgement they may seem best for my creditors and my wife & children. 3rd After my debts are paid I desire that all I may have left to be used for the best interest of my family. Wishing my wife Sarah Moorman to have the benefit of it during her lifetime for her own and our children benefit at all times doing the best they can for the mutual interest of all interested and at her death to be equally divided among our children (that is the children by her & my marriage). 4th If I have sufficient property after paying my debts are paid I wish my sons and daughters well educated from my estate at the discretion of my wife & my executors and give my executors full powers to close and settle my business of every kind. 5th Having full faith in God who created me and before whom & by whom I am at last to be judged I now in this hour of my trial commit myself soul and body to his keeping and devoutly pray him to comfort and console my dear wife & protect my children against all harm. Witness with my own hand and signature this 24th day of September 1861. S. M. Moorman If possible I wish my two servants Mary and Almina to be kept with the family so long as they may be obedient & trustworthy as here to fore. S.M.S. Probate State of Kentucky Daviess County Court Special August Term 1864 The foregoing will of S. M. Moorman Decd. This day produced to Court and duly proven by the oaths of Thomas and Josiah Vech to be entirely in the hand writing of S.M. Moorman Deced. also the signature to be genuine. Whereupon it was ordered that the same be admitted to the record as and for the last will and testament of S.M. Moorman Decd. Witness my hand this 25th day of August 1864 L.B. Jones Ck (Clerk) Additional Comments: Silas Mercer Moorman was the son of James Haden Moorman and Nancy Owen. He was born in Breckinridge Co, KY, but spent most of his adult life in Owensboro, Daviess, Co, KY. He married Sarah Sophia Talbot on 7 May 1840 in Daviess Co., KY and they had eight known children: George, Edward Tennessee, Henry W, Sallie Lee, Hettie, Belle, Guy and Jesse. DNA has also proven that he fathered a child in 1828, probably by one of his father's slaves, who was known as Dorah Moorman. Silas' will is unusual for two reasons: first, his obvious dislike of Abraham Lincoln and his "willing and lawless minions", and second for the specific language which limits the distribution of his assets following his wife, Sarah's death, to "to be equally divided among our children (that is the children by her & my marriage)". File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ky/daviess/wills/moorman596gwl.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/kyfiles/