Will of
Thomas Nichols

Mason County KY Will Book:

Page 431
In the Name of God Amen I Thomas Nichols of Mason County and state of Kentucky being weak in body but of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and Testament. first it is my will that my negroe man Frank and also my negroe man George be free and at their own disposal six months after my decease. Secondly it is my will that Melinda Miles who was fourteen years old on the 10th day of this Instant should receive out of my estate one feather

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bed and furniture and one hundred pounds each to be paid to her when she is eighteen years old, and in case she marries before she is eighteen years old to be paid to her on the day of her marriage. Also at the death of my wife that she Melinda Miles should have my silk rugg.

Thirdly it is my will that my beloved wife Margery Nichols should possess and enjoy all my estate personal and real during her widowhood the above legacy excepted and should she be disposed to purchase a negroe she is at liberty so to do out of the estate provided she leaves such negroe free at her decease; and in case she marries she is then entitled to her dower only.

Fourthly it is my will that Keziah Nichols the daughter of my brother John Nichols deceased by his last wife receive two dollars as her part of my estate and no more.

Fifthly It is my will that five hundred dollars be paid and applied to the use of the Methodist Episcopal Church to be received by the presiding elder of the said church in the Kentucky district and by him delivered to the General conference there to be disposed of by the said conference for the use and benefit of the said Church; the above money to be paid out of my estate at my wifes decease.

Sixthly it is my Will that Thomas Nichols Delilah Thrailkell Mary Proctor and Sarah Thrailkill the four Eldest children of my Brother John Nichols Deceased should possess and enjoy (after my wife's decease), The remainder of my estate Exclusive of the above mentioned sums the same to be divided Equally Amongst them

Page 433
I also appoint my wife Margery Nichols my sole Executor
and Declare this my last will and Testament Revoking
all others Signed this Twenty Ninth Day of March -
Anno Domini eighteen hundred and Five
Witnesses
Caleb J. Taylor
      his
John O Petticord Senr
      mark                              Thomas Nickols {seal}
Elijah Hayden

At a court held for Mason County the 8th day of July 1805 This Last will and Testament of Thomas Nichols deceased was produced in Court and proved by the Oaths of Caleb J. Taylor John Petticord Senr and Elijah Hayden Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded Sworn to by Margery Nichols the Executrix therein Named who together George Mortin and William Rankins her Securities entered into and acknowledged bond in the Penalty of Three Thousand Pounds Current money conditioned as the Law directs and upon her Motion a Certificate is granted her for Obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Teste Tho. Marshall, C, M, C    [Clerk, Mason County]

Transcribed by J.L. McKenzie. Words/comments in [brackets] were inserted by me for clarification. This Thomas Nichols was the brother of my 6th great grandfather, John Nichols. Interestingly, in spite of Thomas's wishes, his wife Margery wrote a will leaving her entire estate to her brother, her sister and their children, save for $50.00 to Isaiah Nichols, son of her husband's nephew, Thomas Nichols.