Bowie County, Texas - The Will of A. (Andrew) Jobe Duke, dob 12/26/1854-5/18/1889 (Notation) Made a mistake in the notation on A.Jobe Duke Will. Was added at the top that A. J. Stephens was Momma's first husband. It should read F.A. Stephens was Momma's first husband. Photo mvc-60xa Background: This will is handwritten on tablet paper with pencil and consist of 3 pages. (Andrew) Jobe Duke, dob 12/26/1854-5/18/1889, in Parsons, Tn. Decatur Co. is of French Blood. Married wife Nancy Edna 4/1/1877. dob 8/13/1859-10/26/1894, was born in Parsons, Decatur Co, Tn, also. They moved to Texas in 1883. He was a farmer. He died from an unexpected incident with one of his horses. He was going to Clarksville (from New Hope Area?) to sell his (Baled Cotton?) And spent the night at an Inn about 1/2 way. He put his team in stall's and fed them. Later, before going to bed, he decided to let them out into the Corral for the nite. He reached up and slapped one on the back-side and was kicked in the head and killed (Instantly) Per Emma Lou Duke, 2/11/1988, and by my Mom, Cleoda Darlin McMillan/Robinson (NOT INSTANTLY, I offer his Will dated July 1, 1895) Data Dates indicate he probably had mental problem's from this accident. Mom also added that the horse in it's lifetime, never kicked before or after this incident. The will is dated abt 10 Month's after Nancy's death and abt 6 years and 1 month before his death. Or abt 7 years after Wife Nancy died. When Andrew Jobe Duke moved to Texas he spelled his name "La Duke". He dropped the La later. Per Emma Lou and she doesn't know what part of France the La Duke's came from. Children mentioned, James Andrew, dob 4/9/1878, Elbert Vachel, dob 1/26/1883 and Lealer Dukes, (Myrtle Ellender?) dob 2/24/1887. J. Stephens was mother's 1st husband. (Written on top of the paper, by Cleoda Darlin McMillan/Robinson, oldest daughter of William Monroe and Ida Ella Jane Wooten/Stephens/McMillan) July the first 1895 A.J. Stephens on the first part agrees to take the place of ground or home, N.E. and A.J. Dukes: James, Elbert, Mattie and Lealer Dukes to have and control said place 3 years 1895, 1896 and 1897 to keep in repair and pay thetaxes on said place for the rent of said place. All of the connection agrees to this and will sign of this that time it is to be controlled by James Dukes and F. A. Stephens. I agree to this contract on the first part: A.J. Stephens The connection on the secondJames Dukes A. J. Stephens F. A. Stephens M. E. Howard Ary Wood Page 2, mvc 61x, Duke's Will July first 1895 F A Stephens on the first part agrees to take the children of N. E. and A. J. Diles to raise Suport and protect until they air of age Elbert Mattie and Leler F. A. Stephens is to have and cntrle all of thire property until they aire of age thire being two beds and bed cloths of which is to belong to mattie and Leler and they shall have one cow a piece if they Stay with me until they aire of age or marry Elbert is to have one poney and Saddle of he stays with me until he is of age or Marrys Jims has also got one pony for his pqrt and agrees for the other children to have the rest to raise them with Page 3, mvx 62x, Duke's Will the connection agrees to this contract be tween F. A. Stephens on the first purt and the children on the Second James Dukes . Elbert Dukes the connection has agreed to this and will Sign below F. A. Stephens on the first part the connection on the Second James Dukes F i.e A . Stephens M E howard Ary Wood A. J. Stephens Submitted by: Eddie Robinson tempt@icx.net USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any 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. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net