Will of Jesse Richardson 1839 : McCracken County, Kentucky

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Submitted by: Vera Burnham vburnham@worldpath.net
Date: March 1, 2002
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                              Will Book A
                       McCracken County, Kentucky 

Page 241

In the name of God Amen
I Jesse Richardson, of the County of McCracken and State of Kentucky being
at this time of perfect memory but in a poor state of health, calling to
mind that it is appointed that all men once to die and after death to come
to judgement. And having heretofore settled all my worldly affairs by will
and testament do make, constitute, and ordain this instrument as part of my
last will and testament as respects to two negro slaves now in my possession,
Viz:

One male slave named, Samuel and one female slave, named Malinda, I do now
as a reward for their affectionate feeling towards me in my declineing years
and in particular for the attention paid by the said Samuel and Malinda to
my first wife, the companion of my youth, on her bed of affliction, I do make
by this instrument discharge, the said Samuel and Malinda, after my death
from all ----? and do declare them free persons and not to be under ---?
in the schedule of my will and personal estate and the said Samuel and
Malinda is fully and comfortably to enjoy all the privaleges that the laws
of the land provides for free people of color for a slave lawfully amongst
us. and I further declare and make known that it is my will that if any of
my heirs, or any other person or persons after my death which shall finally   
----? the sudness of the two slaves above mentioned shall attempt to inslave
the said two slaves, contrary to this condition of this my last will and
testament, I do hereby declare such person or persons guilty of felony and
or legal prevention, to suffer the penalty which the law on ----? guilty
of kidnapping for profit of slave or slaves lawfully set free.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my seal to the 
instrument as a part of this last will and testament.

Signed, sealed and acknowledged by the testator as part of his last will and
testament in the presence of us this 13th day of----? in this year of our
Lord 1839.
                                              Jesse Richardson

John Duffy, Jas. A. Huges, John Roadlai   

State of Kentucky
McCracken County

At a County Court held for the County aforesaid at the Courthouse in Paducah
on the eleventh day of November, One thousand eight hundred thirty nine.
The last will and testament of Jesse Richardson late of Said County named was 
produced to this Court and proven by the oaths of John Duffy and
Jas. A. Hughes two of the subscribing witness thereto and ordered to be
recorded. The following description of the said slaves by the last will and
testament of Jesse Richardson dec'd is entered as follows;
Samuel is a full blooded negro not very black a little from 40 years old,
stands about five feet, seven inches high, can't read, and has a scar under
his arm caused by removal of a ----? . Malinda is nearly forty years,
a full blooded negro, not very black stands about five feet nine inches
high, has a mark on the right side of the face stood one inch from the
corner of the mouth, which is ordered to be certified.

In testimony whereof, and that the same, together with this certificate
stand truly recorded in my office. I hereunto as clerk of said court have
hereunto herewith set my hand this 20th day of May 1840.

                                      Branton Small