Bullitt County History

Jannett Cameron's Will - 1802

Jannett (McDonald) Cameron was the widow of John Cameron, and the mother of Jannet, Christina, John, Archibald, Angus and Nancy. Her will is transcribed below.


I Jannett Cameron of the County of Bullitt and State of Kentucky, being now advanced in life but of sound health and perfect memory, but knowing that it is appointed for all to die, and to prevent confusion after my death, do dispose of my worldly goods in the following manner, Vizt.

First, I order that the expenses attending my funeral and all my just debts be first paid out of my estate by my executor hereafter named.

Secondly I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jannet Cameron a negro girl named and a negro girl named Paty to her and her heirs forever.

Thirdly I give and bequeath unto my daughter Christina Cameron a negro girl named Milly and a girl named Easter to her and her heirs forever.

Fourthly I give and bequeath unto John Cameron the following negroes, vizt. two men, Isaac and Peter, and a wench named Amy and her children Harriott and Jude and their future increase to him and his heirs forever.

Fifthly I give and bequeath unto my son Archibald Cameron the following negroes, vizt. a boy named George and a wench named Terrah and her daughter Phebe and their increase to the said Archibald and his heirs forever.

Sixthly it is my will and desire that whatever may be deemed my part of a debt or legacy under the bequest of Polly McDonald, late of Frederick County in the State of Virginia, one third of the same be equally divided between my two daughters Janet and Christina, and that the other two thirds be equally divided between my two sons John and Archibald to them and their heirs forever. And it is likewise my will and desire that all my wearing apparel be equally divided between my two daughters Jannet and Christina.

As my son Angus Cameron and my daughter Nancy Southerland hath been amply provided for before, I have not thought proper to bequeath any thing to them and it is my pleasure that they have no part of my estate.

Lastly I hereby ordain this my last will and testament, revoking all other wills and confirming and ratifying this to take preference of all others, and do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my son John Cameron my executor to carry this my last will and testament into effect and have the same faithfully executed, agreeable to the tenor thereof. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this third day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine. (signed) Jannet Carmeron.

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Robert Donaldson, James Cunningham.

Whereas the death of my daughter Christina has taken place since I signed and sealed the above will and testament I find it expedient to prevent confusion after my death to make the following alterations, to wit. I Jennet Cameron being low in health but of sound mind do give and bequeath unto my daughter Jennet Brown my saddle and all my clothes (except a dark callico gown which I allow my daughter Nancy Southerland) and I here recognize that I have made already a gift of the three negro girls Peggy, Caty and Easter to her the said Jannet Brown and her heirs to have and to hold the same forever.

Secondly I give and bequeath unto my son John Carmeron a negro girl named Milly which I had willed to my daughter Christiana and I give and bequeath to my son Archibald Carmeron the negro girl Jude which I had bequeathed unto my son John Cameron, to them and their heirs respectively to have and to hold the same forever.

Lastly it is my will and desire that whatever may be deemed my part of a debt or legacy under the bequest of Polly McDonald, lat of Frederick County in the State of Virginia, be equally divided between my two sons John Cameron and Archibald Cameron, to them and their heirs forever. Lastly I hereby ordain this my last will and testament respecting the things herein mentioned, revoking whatever is contrary hereto in the preceding will and testament, but in all other respects it is my desire that my last preceding will and testament be executed agreeably to the purport thereof. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twelfth day of December 1801. (signed by her mark) Jaent Cameron.

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of Jesse Drake, John Lewis.

Bullitt County Sct At a monthly court held for the aforesaid County on Monday the 19th day of April 1802 the foregoing will was produced in court and proved to be the last will and testament of the within named Jannet Cameron by the oaths of Robert Donaldson and James Cunningham, subscribing witnesses thereto, & a codicil or part supplementary to the said will was also proved to be the last will and testament of the said Jannet Cameron by the oath of Jesse Drake and John Lewis, the two subscribing witnesses thereto on the day and year aforesaid and thereupon the said will and codicil thereto annexed was ordered to record. Teste. Thomas Speed, CBC.

Bullitt County Deed Book A2, Pages 258-259


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The Bullitt County History Museum, a service of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is located in the county courthouse at 300 South Buckman Street (Highway 61) in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The museum, along with its research room, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday appointments are available by calling 502-921-0161 during our regular weekday hours. Admission is free. The museum, as part of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization and is classified as a 509(a)2 public charity. Contributions and bequests are deductible under section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code. Page last modified: 12 Sep 2024 . Page URL: bullittcountyhistory.org/bchistory/jannett-cameron-will.html