Where There's A Will ...

A will is a legal instrument by which a person, called a testator, disposes of his property.  The will is written before his death and takes effect after his death.  Usually an executor is named to carry into effect the testator's wishes and witnesses sign the will. 

There are other types of wills that you may run into in your research.  A nuncupative will is an oral will spoken during the testator's last illness before witnesses and reduced to writing and signed by the witnesses. This type of will is often called a death bed will.  Some states accept them as legal and other states do not.  One of the benefits of a nuncupative will is that the death date is often given.

A holographic will  is entirely in the handwriting of the testator with no witnesses. This type of will is often written during an emergency. For example, a hiker is lost in the woods, knowing he is close to death, scribbles his wishes regarding his estate on a piece of paper.  Again, states vary of which accept this type of will.

There are other wills, but the above three are the ones you will encounter most often.

Reference: Black's Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, 1990.

 Published 29 March 2016, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

The Sebree House - Webster County, Kentucky

Advertisement in the Henderson Daily Journal 

during the summer of 1894.

The Sebree House in Webster County, Kentucky was a popular hotel at the end of the 19th century. Advertisements in many western Kentucky newspapers attempted  to entice people to visit the hotel and enjoy the medicinal waters available at Sebree Springs.

A news article[1] in 1882, gave the following particulars about the hotel: "A band in attendance during the season. Board by the week, $8; by the day, $2; children under ten years and nurses, half price. Four kinds of medicinal waters on hotel grounds. Electro-therapeutic bath for all desiring treatment. " S.D. Bailey, Proprietor Sebree House."

In an advertisement in the Hopkinsville Kentuckian the summer of 1892, an analysis was given of the chalybeate water,including carbonate of iron, sulphate of lime, carbonate of lime, carbonate of magnesia, chloride of sodium and iron held in solution by carbonic acid. 

A fire in 1901 destroyed the old Sebree House, along with several other frame buildings at a loss valued about $75,000.[2]

Published 25 March 2016, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealog.blogspot.com/

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[1] "Sebree House for 1882," Evansville Daily Courier, Thurs., 8 June 1882, p. 4.

[2] "The Sebree Fire," Hopkinsville Kentuckian, Fri., 15 March 1901, p. 1.

Tombstone Tuesday - Susie B. Brantley

Rest in Peace

Susie B.

Wife of

L.D. Brantley

June 28, 1859

Feb. 25, 1921

Buried Crowell Cemetery, Crittenden County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 23 September 2015.

According to death certificate #2867, Susan Brantley was the daughter of John Tosh and Mary Jane Brantley, both of whom were born in Kentucky. She was born in Kentucky and died in Crittenden County. The informant on her death certificate was A.L. Brantley of Repton. 

L.D.  Brantley Jr. and Susan B. Tosh were married 29 March 1884 in Crittenden County. They last appeared together on a census in 1920 in Crittenden County.

Published 22 March 2016, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Family Record of R.H. Dean

Pocket Diary of R.H. Dean  1891

Robert H. Dean, born 2 May 1859 Crittenden County, Kentucky, was the son of Joseph Madison "Matt" Dean and Isabel Caroline Clement. The home of Joseph M. and Isabel C. Dean was known as Deanwood and was located in the Iron Hill section of Crittenden County. Robert H. Dean married Mary Willis Crawford, daughter of Dr. J.W. Crawford, 5 March 1884. To them were born Dixie, who died at the age of five months in 1887, and Addie Lee, born 13 January 1890. Robert H. Dean taught school at Weston, Smithland, Lone cherry and Olive Branch and was employed at chapel Hill School when he received an appointment in the Weather Bureau.  The family later lived in Washington, DC; LaCrosse, Wisconsin; St. Louis, Missouri; Lexington, Kentucky and Anniston, Alabama. [1]  Robert H. Dean died November 1942 in Gadsden, Alabama and was buried in Mapleview Cemetery, Crittenden County.[2]

During 1891, R.H. Dean recorded his thoughts, events and interests in plants and the weather in a little notebook or diary. Included in the front of the notebook are the names of family members and dates. Written on the front is the following: "R.H. Dean  Marion, Ky.  Apr - Aug 1891  Memorandum." Most entries are in pencil and are difficult to read.  The entire notebook was published in my Western Kentucky Journal Vol. IX, No. 3 (Summer 2002), p. 2.

The notebook has been donated to the Crittenden County Museum in Marion.

F.A. Lemen and M.A. Dean   Sept. 16, 1877

G.F. Clement and Margaret S. Phillips  July 24, 1833

G.F.C.  Nov. 12, 1808

M.S.P.  June 18, 1801

(Grandfather)

Alexander Dean  Jan. 1, 1800    Died March 1880

James Rusk Dean   Tex.  4-15-1840

Victoria J. Bogan  10-21-1846    8-13-1875

Edward Caswell Dean (Tex)  3-31-1866

James R. Dean  12-10-1868

Levi Maxwell Dean  2-3-1870

Addie Maud Dean  7-24-1873

Stella Holmes Conley  5-3-87

George Madison Dean  1-31-1890

Carrie May Dean  5-25-189_

G.F. Clement  11-12-1808

Margaret Salina Phillips  8-18-1812

Alexander Dean  1800-1876

Anna Gates

Nancy Hughes

Joseph Madison Dean  10-25-1827

Isabella Caroline Clement  6-2-1834   Married Nov. 1, 1854

R.F.C.  2-13-1836

Sarah J.C.  12-17-1837

J.C.C.  4-19-1841

Mary Elizabeth C.  2-3-43

F.M.C.  3-23-1845

T.L.D.  10-16-33

Jane Ann D.  2-20-1835

Mary Louisa D.  5-7-1836

Josephine D.  11-27-38

Alfred D.  Feb. 8, 1840

J.E.D.  5-14-1844

Nancy D.  4-17-48

M.A.D.  8-20-1855

J.B.D.  4-26-57

R.H.D.  5-2-1859

S.I.D.  9-14-1861

C.C.D.  11-2-1863

W.A.D.  1-11-1866

J.M.D.  6-18-1868

T.M.D.  4-8-1871

E.F.D.  5-25-1873

I.G.D.  7-25-1875   5-21-1885

D.D.  3-22-1887   8-18-1887

A.L.D.  1-13-1890

Freddie Bogan Dean  b. Mar. 31, 1861   d. Oct. 10, 1886

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[1] J.N. Dean. A Sketch of the Clement, Dean, Lamb, Phillips Families, (privately published, 1940). J.N. Dean was a brother to Robert H. Dean.

[2] Obituary, Crittenden Press, 20 November 1942.

Correction on Princeton Founder Lineage

The following has been submitted by Michael Prince regarding the lineage of the founder of Princeton, Kentucky.

It was long held and believed that Captain William Prince, the founder of Princeton and revolutionary war patriot, along with his brothers and sisters descended from Edward Prince.

After the civil war a will book from King George County, VA was lost. The will turned up years later, circa 1977, in a private auction in the state of Michigan. That will was purchased by a private firm that had the entire book transcribed by George H.S. King and it was rightly returned to the state of Virginia. It can be purchased at amazon.com and similar stores. It is titled:

King George County, VA will book A1 1721-1752. On pp. 53-54, it is learned where Captain Prince descends. It mentions his father and grandfather.

Please follow this link for more information, generously written by Mr. Ron Prince:

 RootsWeb: PRINCE-L Re: [PRINCE-L] William Prince father of Dulla Berry Prince

		RootsWeb: PRINCE-L Re: [PRINCE-L] William Prince father of Dulla Berry Prince Hello Sammie: I strongly urge you to obtain a copy of the book "Long, Long Ago, 1776-1996, Book II" by Harriett Farris Boozer of Sandy Springs, Georgia. She had done
		View on archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com	Preview by Yahoo

I descend from this line and Captain Prince is my 5th great uncle and his brother, Henry Berry a private with the continental  army during the revolution would be my 5th great grandfather.  I was fortunate enough to be from an area that had the book in a library that Ron strongly urges people to obtain. Well, I no longer live in the area, but my father does and he copied the pertinent information for me. When Ron suggested the book: Long, Long Ago Book II 1776-1996, by Harriet Farris Boozer, it was a beautiful find and suggestion. Pay special attention to the Berry, Prince and Earle's in her book as it demonstrates the lineage succinctly. Good luck finding the book as only so many copies exist and I do not think you can buy it. 

Baylis Earle married Mary Prince (her father was the bastard son John Prince)- they had an old family bible rumored to be found in Earle's Fort, I believe. It also contains information on the exact lineage of Rev. John Prince. The bible, as far as I know still exists, just not sure where and in who's possession.

Furthermore, my great aunt was a member of DAR using this exact same line and my application is being sent off for the society of Sons of American Revolution. From a historical point, it is now accepted and has been for almost 40 years. It is my hope this can help those interested in our family lineage. 

Sincerely,

Michael W. Prince   micway1971@yahoo.com

Published 9 Mar 2016, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Ritch Tavern License 1836

Taverns were located in places convenient to travelers, whether in town or out of town. In addition to location, tavern keepers were bound by law to meet certain standards if they wanted to stay in business. 

Two things interest me in the following tavern license. The location is on the road from Princeton to Eddyville, surely a busy road not just for long distance travelers, but also for local residents going between Princeton, the county seat at that time, and Eddyville, which was a busy town accessible by land as well as by river.  The other item of interest is the description of the tavern structure. It is described as Jesse Ritch's  "double log cabin dwelling."  I have never seen a  description like this. Usually it will say  "in his own house" or will mention the tavern by name, such as "Eagle Tavern."

This is a valuable record as it mentions a name at a particular place and a particular time. In addition, it gives a description of the location of the tavern and the type of structure.

"Know all men by these presents that we Jesse Ritch, Powell Ritch, and Martin K. Asbridge are held & firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the penal Sum of One hundred pounds to the payment of which well and truly to be made We bind ourselves  and each of our heirs jointly & Severally firmly by these presents Sealed & dated this 21st day of November 1836.

The condition of the above obligation is Such that whereas on this day a Tavern License has been granted unto the Said Jesse Ritch ---- by the Caldwell County Court, to Keep a tavern in the county aforesd. Six miles from Princeton in his double log cabin dwelling house on the road from Prin. to Eddyville for one year from this time, Now Should Jesse Ritch constantly find and provide in his Said Tavern good Wholesome cleanly lodging and diet for Travellers and Stableage provender or pasturage for horses for the term of one year from the date hereof, and shall not Suffer or permit any unlawful gaming in their house or Suffer any person to tipple or drink more than is necessary or at any time to suffer any disorderly or scandelous behaviour to be practiced in Said house with their privily or concent then this obligation to be Void else to be & remain in full force & virtue.   [signed] Jesse (X his mark) Ritch, Powel Ritch, Martin K. Asbridge.   Attest: Ch. B. Dallam, DC."

Hand written Tavern License 1837

Caldwell County, Kentucky Clerk's Office

Published 2 March 2016, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/