In Joseph Simmons' will he identified his wife Rebecca, his daughter Elizabeth Daniel, his sons George W. Simmons and Joseph P. Simmons, and his grandson Albert W. Simmons, son of James W. Simmons, dec'd, whose will is transcribed on another page.
Joseph Simmons' will is transcribed below, followed by images of his will and inventory.
Bullitt County Will Book E, pages 158-160
I Joseph Simmons of the County of Bullitt & State of Kentucky, being of sound mind and disposing memory, do make this my last will & testament hereby revoking all former wills & codicils.
First: I have heretofore given my daughter Elizabeth Daniel as much or more of my landed estate than I now have to bestow on my other children & grandchild Albert W. Simmons, therefore I shall bequeath no landed estate to said Elizabeth Daniel, but I give to my daughter Elizabeth Daniel during her life and then to her children equally forever one negro woman Evaline and all of her increase. She is the same woman said Elizabeth has for some time had in possession.
Second: I give & bequeath to my son Joseph P. Simmons negro boy Hilory forever.
Third: I give & bequeath to my grandson Albert W. Simmons, son of my son James W. Simmons dec'd negro girl Harriet & her increase forever.
Fourth: I give and bequeath to my son George W. Simmons negro boy Nelson forever.
Fifth: I give & bequeath unto my beloved wife Rebecca Simmons during her natural life the balance of my slaves with their increase. I also give to her the plantation on which I now reside & my other land during her natural life.
Sixth: At the death of my beloved wife, I will & bequeath to my son George W. Simmons & grandson Albert W. Simmons all my landed estate, my said son George W. Simmons to have two thirds of land and my said grandson Albert W. Simmons to have one third of my land; my said son George W. Simmons having paid my son Joseph P. Simmons eleven hundred and fifty four dollars & 22 cents for the third of the land which I had intended for my said son Joseph P. Simmons, and I have in consequence thereof executed to said George W. Simmons a deed for one third of my land, and my son Joseph P. Simmonss gets none of my land. The land hereby willed my grandson Albert W. Simmons is to remain under the control of my son George W. Simmons without rent until Albert arrives at the age of twenty one years and should said Albert die under twenty one years of age and without issue, my son George W. Simmons in that event is to have the land hereby bequeathed to my said grandson Albert W. Simmons, and if my son George W. Simmons chooses to build a mill on my land on Cedar Creek he is to have three acres of land on said creek where he may choose & is to pay said Albert one third of the fair valuation of said three acres of land. The balance of the property willed my grandson Albert is to pass to my three children, to wit: Elizabeth Daniel, George W. Simmons and Joseph P. Simmons in the event said Albert dies under twenty one years of age and without issue.
Seventh: It is my will that my son George W. Simmons & Albert W. Simmons my grandson pay to my daughter Elizabeth Daniel one hundred dollars each and to be paid at the death of my wife.
Eighth: After the death of my wife and after the payment of my just debts, it is my will that balance of my property, slaves and their increase & any other property not heretofore demised shall be equally divided between my sons George W. Simmons, Joseph P. Simmons, my daughter Elizabeth Daniel and my grandson Albert W. Simmons, share and share alike, and in the division of my slaves after the death of my wife, my executor is to put them up at public auction & make sale of them for the best price he can obtain from any of the devisees who are to get them under this will but in no event to take the bid of any one else unless it is for one of the said devisees.
Ninth: The property that my daughter Elizabeth Daniel gets under this will is to her during her life & then to pass to her children.
Tenth: My son George W. Simmons is to control & manage the property left my grandson Albert W. Simmons till said Albert arrives at the age of twenty years.
Eleventh: I appoint my son George W. Simmons executor of this my last will and testament and he is not to be required to give any security as such. The words "& my other lands" & the words "of age" interlined before signed. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand this 10th day of August 1852. (signed) Joseph Simmons
Signed, sealed & acknowledged in our presence & are witnessed in the presence of the testator & in the presence of each other. Witness: Wm R. Thompson, C. Clay Kalfus.
State of Kentucky Bullitt County Court 20th March 1854 The foregoing last will and testament of Joseph Simmons dec'd was this day produced in open court and proven by the oaths of Wm R. Thompson and C. Clay Kalfus to be the last will and testament of said Joseph Simmons. Whereupon said will was ordered to be recorded, which is truly done in my office. (signed) R. F. Samuels, Clk.
Inventory Documents - Will Book E, pages 192-195
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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/joseph-simmons-will.html
