Wills of Stoddard Co. MO - McMillan, John - Book A pg.66-71 ***************************************************************** File contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Compiled and submitted by © 1999,2000, Connie Perkins ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *************************************************************************** Record Book of Wills in the County of Stoddard, Missouri Book A, pgs. 66-71 Probate Court Depositions on Will of William O. Knight John McMillan of Lawful age being duly Sworn according to law deposes and says Question - where do you live Mr. McMillan in what county Answer - In Stoddard County Quest - If you have ever Known William O. Knight State when and for what length of time. Ans -- the first time that I Saw William O. Knight to the best of My recollection was about fifteen years ago. Quest. Where did you first Know him Ans -- At Adrian B. Owens in Stoddard County about four or five Miles from here and have Known him More or less ever Since untill about two years ago. Quest -- how did your acquaintance with him begin Answer -- If I recollect right I was introduced to him and his Mother by A.B. Owen at his house. Quest -- State what occurred with you and him from that time till the present. Ans -- About 14 years ago his Mother was at that time living about 1 and quarter of a mile West of A.B. Owens on a piece known in that Neighborhood as the Old Man Owens place and I called on the Old Lady and requested her to let Mr. W.O. Knight come to School to Me the Old Lady told Me that his health would not bear confinement. I told her that I would allow him the privilege of going out as often as he pleased provided She would let him go. I think I told the Old Lady afterwards that I would not make any change for his Portion he came to School to me Something over a week and less then a Month. I dont no exactly, I cant tell the exact year. I think it was Some 13 or 14 years ago. I think It was in the Summer or fall Season. During the time of his coming to school I tried to teach him his letters, he knew Some of them When he came to School to one I don't recollect how many he learned from me I don't think he knew more than half of them Pg. 67 when he quit School. Quest -- State why you asked him Mother to let him come to School to you. Ans -- partly through curiosity and partly fro the purpose of adding to his enjoyments Quest -- State what was the curiosity you mentioned. Ans -- I wanted to Know whether his mind was Sufficiently Strong to take an education. Quest -- Describe the Manner and conduct of William O. Knight, while he was under your charge as a pupil. Answer -- He was very attentive to the rules of the School and to his lessons. Quest -- State whether he learned rapidly or otherwise. Ans -- he learned very Slowly Quest -- What did he learn Ans -- I do not Know that he learned more than three or four letters while he came to me. When he come up to his lesson he would pay very strict attention like a child and Sound anxious to learn then and to please his teacher. Quest -- State his ability to learn as a pupil Ans -- He was very dull to learn Quest -- State whether you asked him any question in order to ascertain his mental capacity and if So what were they Ans. I dont recollect now about what questions I examined him on his letters and in Conversation I had With him. What They were now, I do not recollect. Quest -- State whether you examined him throughly or only Slightly Ans -- I examined him carefully & throughly as far as I thought it necessary Quest -- what was the result of your examination Ans -- I come to opinion that he may not be capable of receiving much instruction. Quest -- If you know State Whether at that time he was able to tell the day of the week Ans -- I do not know whether he was or not. I dont know whether he was able to tell the Number of days in a week or not understandingly. I do not know whether or not he was able to tell the day of the Month understandingly I without someone telling m... I do not Know whether or not he could tell the year. Quite likely he might {word covered} pg. 68 his own age. But Whether he could understand its meaning or not I cannot Say -- I think he could tell the name of his father and I think he knew the name of his Mother. I have no doubt of it he could tell his own Name he told me it was William Knight or Willie. Quest -- State Whether you ever asked him any questions tring to draw forth answers different to the testimony already given by you. And if So What were their answers. Answer -- I have asked him questions with the object of ascertaining his Mental powers, but what those questions were, I have no recollection of at this time. Quest -- were those questions put at him at one or Several times. Ans -- I expect it was at several times Quest -- State whether you Satisfied yourself from that examination what his mental power was. Ans -- I think I did. I think he had a mind about as Strong as the common run of our children from five to ten years of age. Quest -- State whether he was easy influenced or otherwise and if So by what means. Ans -- He was very easily influenced by kind treatment what effect a different kind of treatment would have had on him I do not know. Question -- Please describe him Physically Ans -- I think he was a man not quite as tall as I am with a very low forehead lower than common now of people. The expression of his eyes & his posture indicated a think mind. It think at least it does so to me. I thought all his features indicated a week mind especially his vocal organs. Quest -- State the character of his conduct toward his fellow pupils Answer -- he was kind in his treatment to the other children and seemed anxious to please them and he on friendly terms I don't think he took much and in their play but he looked on and seemed to be pleased at the others. I dont recollect of his playing much with the boys he usually seemed to Be disposed to stay most of the play time with the pg 69 girls or myself Quest -- State whether he ever brought play things to the School. Ans -- I dont think he ever did Quest -- State Whether you ever observed in him any taste for pictures, playthings, or ordinary amusements for children Answer -- I have no particular recollection of it Quest -- State how he amused himself when not employed Ans -- he amused himself Mostly in company with girls in Joking of them and bragging upon their beauty and how he loved them. Quest -- What was his manner towards the girls was it rough or gentle. Answer -- It was gentle and decent Quest -- What was his age at that time Ans -- I am not able to tell his age, but he must have been a man in age at that time. Quest -- State the age of the female pupils with whom he associated. Ans -- the age of the females. Some of them, from fourteen to fifteen years. I do not Know that I can Say that he associated with them though he was anxious to do So, they usually tried to get Shet of him. Quest -- How was he treated by his fellow pupils girls and boys. Ans -- They treated him with More Kindness than they did each other. Quest -- State Whether you ever remarked any reason for that Kind of treatment Answer -- It was partly from My Own request I Suppose and partly from the Weakness of Mind Quest -- State Whether he was in the habit of Sleeping in School Ans -- I do not think that there was any peculiarity about in that respect Quest -- State Whether his habits boy were Sluggish or active Ans -- He was not in the habit of taking Such action in exercise the other Children in the School room he was very content not to make a noise or Walk too rapidly across the house Quest -- State whether you Saw him frequently during your acquaintance with him. Ans -- I Seen him frequently for the first four or five years of my acquaintance with him. Pg 70 Quest -- Whether during his life you paid special attention to his conversation and conduct Ans -- I did Quest -- State your purpose for doing so Ans -- It was because he manifested a friendly feeling towards Me and I had a friendly feeling for him. Quest -- Was he Sickly or healthy Ans -- I am of the opinion he was Sickly Quest -- State the Character of his Sickness if you Know Ans. I dont know what the character of his Sickness was Quest -- State whether he could talk as intelligibly as other people Ans -- he could not Quest -- If you know State the reason Ans -- from what I Supposed it was Some defect in his Mouth or palate Quest -- In your conversation with William O. Knight what was the character of his remarks Answer -- In My conversation with him I never discussed any matters that required any thought of Mind to answer I spoke to him More like I would to a child that I was desirous of pleasing than to a man. Quest -- What was the character of his remarks Ans -- In Some of his remarks he Seemed what he did Know to be mixed up with Witticism Quest -- What was the Notions of that Wit Ans -- His remarks were generally about the girls or Some of his Neighbors his cousins or connection Question -- Was his remarks pure or obscene Ans -- they were pure. I never heard anything obscene about them -- I dont think he was given to Such. Quest -- If you know State Whether he was Letudiuous or inclined to Sexual passions Ans -- I dont think there was any letury mixed with his notions. Of them was I did not remark it Question -- was he Physically Strong or weak Ans -- I took him to be weak inclined to be weekly Question How was he mentally weak {word covered} a very weak Mind. Quest -- State Whether he had Sufficient Mental capacity to learn and remember his letters of the alphabet. Ans -- By a Long course of instruction I think he had mental powers Sufficient to Learn them but it would take a long time is my opinion under this circumstances. I think he would get So after a while that he would remember them. Quest -- State Whether he could count Ans -- I dont recollect whether I ever examined him as to that Quest -- Could he have been taught to count do you think Ans -- I am at a loss for an answer I think if he could it would oraly been by rote Quest -- State what degree of attention he Seemed to give Surrounding Occurrences Ans -- When his friends, or those with whom he was in company were interested, he seemed to be So to. I think it was More from Sympathy than any way also. I dont think he comprehended it in full unless it was Something very easily understood. Quest -- State whether he ever talked with you about his property. Ans -- i have heard him Shamed about Negro Sam -- he told me that he was his Sam. I dont know that I ever heard him Say how he came to own him if he did I dont recollect it Now -- Quest -- State whether during your acquaintance with him he could tell the names and the numbers of months in a year. Answer -- I dont recollect that I tested him that matter. I was in doubt on My Mind whether he could. John McMillan - signed Sworn to & Subscribed in open court this 24th day of June AD 1838 Reuben P. Own Clerk © This page created and placed here by: Connie Perkins cpfamilyhistory@worldnet.att.net November 01, 1999 for MOGenWeb