The following was transcribed from a microfilm copy of the original will. Minor spelling and punctuation corrections are included.
I Henry H. Swearingen of Mt. Washington, Bullitt County, Kentucky, being of sound mind and disposing memory, and in view of the uncertainty of human life and the certainty of death, do make and publish this my last will and testament, revoking all former bills made by me. In manner and form as follows to wit:
1st After the payment of all my just debts and funeral expenses, I hereby give and bequeath all of my property both personal and real that I may own at my death to my wife, Martha G. Swearingen. So long as she lives or remains my widow, she [is] to pay all taxes and insurance and keep the farm in good repair. I have some notes that she is to collect and to do as she pleases with in paying my debts.
2nd And after her death or marriage, it is my will that my property shall be distributed as follows, to wit:
3rd I want my executors herein after named to pay my daughters Katie Alice Swearingen and Lulce P. Swearingen the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars apiece for their services to me since they were twenty-one years of age in addition to their share of my estate, also one horse and one cow and one bed and bedding each as I have given my other children their personal property.
4th I give and bequeath to my grandson Alexander McCrocklin only one half of a child part of my estate, the other half to go in the general distribution of my estate.
5th I hereby give to my grandson Everit Lee Simmons the sum of five dollars for reasons of my own.
6th I will to my granddaughter Patsy Corine Stallings and my grandson Henry Seg Simmons a full child's part of my estate, one half to go to each. In the event my granddaughter Patsy Corine Stallings should die without any children, then her share is to go to my daughters Katie and Lula Swearingen, but in the event she lives till she is twenty one years of age and has no children, she is to have her share paid to her in the distribution of my estate after the death or remarriage of my wife.
7th I hereby direct my executors to pay to Henry Seg Simmons his share direct to him or his descendants at the distribution of my estate, him to do as he pleases with.
8th As I owe my granddaughter Patsy Corine Stallings the sum of one hundred dollars as her guardian, I hereby direct my executors to pay this to my wife Marsha G. Swearingen for the purpose of paying my granddaughter Patsy Stalling's schooling.
9th After the death or remarriage of my wife Martha G. Swearingen, it is my will that the residue of my estate both personal and real shall be equally divided or the proceeds thereof derived from a sale of all my property between my children, Dr. William H. Swearingen, Joseph M. Swearingen, and Lula P. Swearingen and Katie Alice Swearingen and the children of my deceased daughter Martha Ellen Hall, her living children to have her share.
10th It is my will that my executors shall confer with my living children and if at any time they may think best to sell my real estate, I hereby empower them to do so and give them full power to convey said real estate, but until it is sold I want them to give my son Joseph Swearingen the refusal to rent said real estate.
11th I hereby nominate and appoint my wife Martha G. Swearingen and my son Joseph M. Swearingen as my executors to carry this my will into execution.
In testimony whereof in the presence of these witnesses I hereunto set my hand this the 18th day of Feby 1898.
H. H. Swearingen
Witnesses: W. L. McGee W. W. Coleman
The will was produced in open court on 13 Jun 1898 and proved by the oath of W. W. Coleman.
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