Commonwealth of Kentucky ... Shelby County

In the name of God Amen I Haden Wells of said county do now make and ordain this my last Will and Testament.

First I desire and direct that all my just debts be paid.

2ndly. by the will of my father Carty Wells my children became entitled to certain property and my daughter Sarah married a certain Richard H. Dodson in chancery in the second Shelby Circuit Court against me for my said daughter Sally's portion under his will which suit was compromised between said Dodson and myself and at the April term 1836 of said Court suit was dismissed ~ my said daughter Sally Dodson has since departed this life leaving two infant children, Noble B. Dodson and Amos F. Dodson. Now I do give and bequeath to my said two grandchildren Noble B. and Amos F. Dodson each the sum of two hundred dollars to be paid to them respectfully as they attain the age of twenty one years ~ if one of them die before attaining said age then the whole four hundred dollars to be paid to the surviving of them and if both die before attaining said age then my will is that the Legacies intended for them be equally divided among my children hereafter named ~ And I wish it understood that this devise to my said two grand children is in full for the whole claim for my estate and in full against any claim they might Set Up against my estate.

Growing out of the desire of Carty Wells to my children of whom their mother was one and if at any time hereafter they shall refuse to accept said Legacy now hereby provided of two hundred dollars each in full satisfaction for all claims they might have upon my estate on account of the Will of said Carty Wells Decd. or if they shall bring any suit on account any claim growing of Carty Wells against me or my executors then in that event I give them nothing and direct that the whole said four hundred dollars be equally divided among my other children hereinafter named.

3rd. I have heretofore given in money and property to each of my children, Elijah F. Wells, Joshua R. Wells and Mary Tucker, the sum of four hundred and fifty dollars with which I desire they stand charged without interest untill my other children John William Haden, James C. and Margaret Ann Wells shall receive from my estate each an equal amount that is each four hundred and fifty dollars.

4th. My will and desire is that the whole of my estate real and personal be sold by my executors and the land to be sold upon such credits that the portions which may be coming to my children shall become due and payable to them as they respectfully attain the age of twenty one years taking care upon that the interest upon such purchase money ___?? for the benefit of such infants and be paid annually.

5th. My will is that my said five children John, William, Haden, James C. and Margaret Ann Wells shall each receive from my said executors out of the proceeds from the sale of my estate four hundred and fifty dollars and then the balance of the proceeds of the sale of my whole estate after paying my debts and the two Legacies first herein provided for to equally divide between my eight children Elijah F., Joshua R., Mary Tucker, John, William, Haden, James C. and Margaret Ann Wells. It being my true intent and meaning to make my last Eight named children equal taking into the estimate the advances I have heretofore made as above stated.

6th. It is my true intent and meaning that none of my said children bring or exhibit any claim against my estate growing out of the aforesaid Will of Carty Wells decd. ~ and I further require that each of my said children as he or she attains full age execute a release to my securities John Wells and Coleman Stone or their executors heirs from all claims they may or might respectfully have against my said securities or executors of them their heirs and to indemnify who I executed in writing giving them a lien upon the land whereon I now live many years ago and should any one of said eight children after he attains full age refuse to execute said release then and in that want he or she so refusing shall take nothing ___?? this will and his or her portion shall be equally divided among my other children who shall make and execute such releases.

And lastly I name and appoint my son Elijah F. Wells and my son in law Wm. Tucker executors of this my last will and give to them full power and authority to sell and convey that land aforesaid but no deed is to be executed untill the purchase money shall be paid for the land then they or the survivors of them shall execute such deed ~ and in all things I require all things to be carried fully into effect ~

Witness my hand and seal this first day of November 1837 ~

Haden Wells (Seal)

Signed Sealed and Acknowledged
as and for his last will and Testament
in presence of
Saml. Lewis
James F. Moore?
James Stone

Provided by DeAnna Fisher - Florida