Last Will and Testament of James Saunders

 (Son of James and Sarah Gunnel Saunders)

Fleming County, Kentucky, April 10, 1812

(Willbook A, page 22, Fleming Co. Ky, records)

 In the name of God, Amen, I, James Saunders of Fleming 
County, and the State of Kentucky, being weak in body but of 
sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be almighty God for 
the same, do swear and publish this, my last will and testament in 
manner and to will the following, that is to say. First I give and 
bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Saunders, during her 
natural life, all that tract of land wherein I now dwell and the 
place I bought of John Weaver together with all the buildings and 
improvements and belongings. Also a Negro woman named Dark 
to serve fifteen years and then be free and at full liberty and in 
case of issue during her servitude, they shall be free at the age of 
twenty seven years. Also a Negro boy named Bill to serve for 
twenty three years and then be free at full liberty, also to have 
cows her choice of the stock. Also twelve head of sheep, her 
choice of the stock, also a bay mare named Cloc, will all my 
household and kitchen furniture, her choice except the bedding 
and I leave her three beds and furniture, her choice.

 I do also give and bequeath unto my son Accley Saunders, one 
Negro man named Joseph to serve for fifteen years and to be free 
and at full liberty, also a yellow girl named Milly to serve fifteen 
years and be free and at full liberty. And in the case of issue 
during her servitude, they shall be free at the age of twenty seven 
years. The price I fix upon Joe is eighty pounds and upon Milly, 
sixty pounds. I also give and bequeath unto my son James 
Saunders, one Negro man named Godfrey to serve fifteen years 
and then be free and all full liberty, value eighty pounds. I also 
leave it as an injunction not to separate them from said family.

 I also give and assign unto the heirs of my daughter Mary Day, 
deceased, all that tract of land lying where George Knaaill 
formally lived, to hold to them the heirs of said Mary Day, their 
heirs and assigns forever, I also price said land at six dollars per 
acre. I do also give and likewise unto the heirs of my daughter 
Permelia Eaton, all that tract of land wherein Charles Eaton now 
lives and assigns forever. I also price said land at four dollars per 
acre. Also one tract of land to the heirs of said Permelia Eaton, 
lying on the waters of Locust where Marsh Hunt now lives to hold 
to them their heirs and assigns forever. Which land I rate at five 
dollars per acre.

 The land I myself settled that lays near to my son Accley 
Saunders, for which he now has a deed, I price at six dollars per 
acre. Also the land that Truman Day now lives on, I price at three 
dollars per acre. Likewise the place I gave him near the Bannons, 
I rate at three dollars per acre. The place I gave to my son James, 
where John Pearch now lives, I rate at twenty shillings per acre. 
And the place where the widow Oxley now lives, I price the whole 
at one hundred and twenty five pounds.

 I do also give and bequeath and assign to my sons Accley and 
James Saunders and Truman Day, a certain tract of land lying to 
the west of Accley Saunders and in the northwest of Fowler's 
claim which land is in dispute and in case this land should be lost 
out of my estate, put provided the rights should be good, I will and 
desire that it be equally and jointly among the aforementioned 
Accley and James Saunders and Truman Day to hold to them their 
heirs and assigned forever and I further will and order that in the 
division or selling of my estate that the several titles to the 
aforementioned property may be decisive and final. In regard to 
the land mentioned that I settled near to Accley Saunders, 
estimated at six dollars, I mean to include the improvements.

 I so also will and order that all the rest or residue and remainder 
of my personal estate, goods and chattels of what value and kind, 
be sold and after my just debts are paid, to be equally divided 
among the aforementioned Accley Saunders, James Saunders, and 
the heirs of Mary Day and the heirs of Permelia Eaton, but that no 
division should take place until after the first day of January next 
year. I do also further will and order that my wife Elizabeth 
Saunders shall have one half of the crops that is made in the 
present year.

 I do also leave it with my Executor to pay the heirs of my 
daughter Mary Day and Permelia Eaton, their respective shares in 
property. And lastly, I appoint my sons Accley and James 
Saunders Executors of this my last will and testament.

 In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand seal this tenth 
day of April in the year of our Lord, One thousand Eight Hundred 
and Twelve.

James Saunders

His mark

Joshua Stockton, Clerk