Thomas Russell, who died in 1851, made out his will in 1844. In it he identified the following living children: Elizabeth, Lavinia, Malinda, Saul, Thomas, Mary Bailey, Nancy Short, Sharlotty King, Rachael Wise, and Nicholas; and specifies what each is to get from his estate. He also identified by name the following enslaved persons: Wat, Scenia, Ruth, David, and Lewis.
Bullitt County Will Book D, Pages 410-411
In the name of God, amen. I Thomas Russell of the county of Bullitt and State of Kentucky, knowing that it is appointed unto man and to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in the following manner, viz.
First, after my debts and funeral expenses is paid, it is my will that after my death the whole of my land where I now live that is left from paying my debts, funeral expenses, I do give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth together with all and singular of my other property claimed and owned by me, the stock of all descriptions, household and kitchen furniture, farming utensils, my black man Wat and one girl, either Scenia or Ruth which she should make choice of with these conditions that Elizabeth is to give unto my three namely Lavinia, Malinda and Saul one horse to each when they marry as good as she can afford, and to portion them off with other stock such or as near like my other children that is married was portioned off as she can. Likewise is to give unto my daughter Sharlotte King one.
And further it is my will that my daughter Elizabeth have the wagon and gear, and should Elizabeth marry then it is my will that all of the above bequeathed estate and property to her be equally divided between her and my three above named children, Lavinia, Malinda and Saul; but that Elizabeth is to have full control and management of the plantation so long as they should live together as a family, but if they should not agree to live together after her marriage then the place to be divided in two equal parts, she is to have the one half of the land and half of the house, and my three above named children the other half of the house.
Further it is my will that at my death my black boys David and Lewis, and one of the black girls be hired out, the money arising from their hire to go to the paying of my debts, and so soon as all my debts are paid, the first $100 arising from their hire to be given to my daughter Lavinia, and then the balance of the profits to be equally divided between my children, namely Thomas, Mary Bailey, Nancy Short, Lavinia, Sharlotty King, Malinda, Saul to be freely and fully enjoyed by them.
It is also my will that the blacks is not to be sold out of the family or their increase should there be any. I give the first child to my daughter Rachael Wise, and the next two if there should be so many, to belong to my daughter Elizabeth, the balance of the increase should there be any to be divided amongst my children, except Nicholas, he having already received his full portion.
I have left Elizabeth my property so that after she portions off the children as named above I may have something more to her part than the balance of my children to pay her for past services rendered to her mother and myself.
I also appoint her executrix of this my will and my friend George Markwell as assistant executor with her, hereby revoking all other wills or instruments of writing having claim to my property as well. As witness my hand this second day of April 1844.
(signed) Thomas Russell. Witnesses: John B. Markwell, Andrew Markwell
State of Kentucky, Bullitt County Court, 29th September 1851
This last will and testament of Thomas Russell dec'd was this day produced in open court of said county for record, and said will was duly proved in court by the oaths of John B. Markwell and Andrew Markwell, the subscribing witnesses thereto that the said decedent Thomas Russell signed and acknowledged said will in their presence as his last will and testament; and that they signed the same in his presence as witnesses thereto at his request; that at the time of so executing said will decedent was in his proper senses and mind. Whereupon said will fully proved was ordered by the court to be recorded and thereupon said will and this certificate are truly recorded in my office. Att. R. F. Samuels, Clerk.
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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: 20 Sep 2025 . Page URL: bullittcountyhistory.org/bchistory/thomasrussellsrwill.html
