Dear All,
Late week I completed a very successful research trip to Vincennes, Indiana. My goal
was to verify my belief that Francis and Abagail Williams were the parents of William F.
"Billy" Williams (Senior). Yes, without any doubt they were Billy's
parents.
Billy was born in December 27, 1803 at Fort Knox, Knox County, Indiana. He was one of
nine children born to Francis and Abagail. I found quite a number of references to Francis
in census records, court records, land records, jury records, Ft. Knox II papers and,
finally, his will and the estate sale papers.
I've copied his will into the text of this email and I would share other
information if anyone is interested. I have not yet 'deciphered' all the court
records.
Brian Spangle and Donna Adams were extremely helpful as was the volunteer (I apologize
for not getting her name) at the Lewis Collection. I was thrilled to hold the original
will papers in my hands. I've transcribed the spelling as orginally written. :)
Sorry for such a generic note with the text of the will, but I thought many of you
would be interested. The will was found in the Probate Records of Knox County, Box 3,
pages 48 and 49, Knox County Records Library, Knox County, Indiana.
48
In the name of God Amen, I Francis Williams on the 4th day of July 1812, of Knox County
and Indiana Territory, Planter, being very sick and weak of Body, but of Perfect Mind and
Memory, thanks be given to Almighty god, therefore Calling to mind the Mortality of my
Body, Knowing that it is appointed once for all men Once to die, do make and ordain this
my Last Will and Testament, that is to say first of all I give and Recommend my Soul into
the hands of Almighty God, and Secondly; all my Lawful Debts to be paid and all after
that, of my Personal and Real Estate, I do Desire to be applied for the Raising and
Schooling of my Children, and the maintenance of my Wife Abigal, until the youngest Child
comes of age, then whatever there is Remaining of the (?) $ Estate is to be divid in
manner and form following, that is to say my Wife Abigal, is to receive one third part of
all that is left of the (?) $ Estate, and the other two third Parts is to be Equally
Divided amongst all my ch!
ildren Debora, Daniel, John, Clarry, William, Betsey, Jane, Abigal & Francis, which
they are to Enjoy forever and I also appoint my Wife Abigal and James Black Esq Executors,
to this my Last Will and Testament, In witness whereof I have herewith set my hand and
affixed my Seal this 4th day of July 1812 -- (In the Presence of (?))
Test. Willm Flowers his
Sam McCutchin Francis X Williams
James McCutchin mark
Indiana Territory
Knox County (?) On the 11th day of August 1812, Before me Robert Buntin Clerk of the Court
of Common Pleas of said County, Personally came William Flowers and James McCutchin two of
the Subscribing Witnesses to the above Last Will and Testament of Francis Williams Late of
Knox County Deceased, and Severally made Oath on the body Evangels of Almighty God that
they be the Testator therein named Sign and Seal this Will and that they heard him
Publish, Pronounce and Declare the same to be his Last Will and Testament, that at the
time of his so doing he was, to the best of their apprehension of sound and Disparing
memory and Understanding and that they Signed their names as Witnesses thereto in the
Presence and at the request of the Testator, and in the presence of Each other and that
James McCutchin, the other Witness also Subscribes his name thereto in the Presence and at
the Request of the Testator, and in their Presence --
In Testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand the day and year above written --
R. Bunting clerk (???? very hard to read)
Indiana Territory
Knox County ? On the 11th day of August 1812, Before me Robert Bunting Clerk of the Court
of Common Please in and for said County, Personally came Abigal Williams/widow/ and James
Black, the Executors in the Above Will Named and Severally made Oath on the Holy Evangels
of Almighty God that the above Instrument of writing is the true and whole Will and
Testament of Francios Williams Late of Knox County Deceased that hath come to their hands
or Possession and that they do not Know of any Other, In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand the day and year above written
RBuntin Clerk (????)
Letters Testamentory granted to the Exec therein Named