I, Richard Wells, of the County of St. Charles & Missouri Territory and now at the time in the County of Madison & State of Kentucky, do make this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all wills of every nature whatever heretofore by me made.

Item the First: My will and desire is that all my just and lawful debts of every nature be paid off by my Executors to be hereafter named.

2nd: My will and desire is that my daughter Ruth receive of my executors a three year old sorrel mare and coalt, a Fether Bed, and Furniture & Saddle & Bridle, a cow and calf, a spinning wheel which Property is all Known in my Family to be called Ruth's with the addition of a clame she has on some Hogs if the(y) can be found.

3rd: My will and desire is that my beloved wife Jane who is now with me and in my presence goe to that Country and there take full possession of my estate both Real and Personal and enjoy it during her natural life and that she keep my children To Wit, George, John, Patience, and Joshua in my usual way. That she pay to my son Edward one dollar, to my son Thomas one dollar, to my daughter Mary Oaldham one dollar, to my son Nicholas one dollar, to my son Richard one dollar, to my son Hugh one dollar, to my son James one dollar, to my son Alexander deceasts daughter Susanna one dollar. That if it should so turn out that through necessity of the Enemy enfecting the Country in such a way that her safety of Living will be thought Dangerous that in that case she is at Liberty to remove to Kentucky or elsewhere with her Living or otherwise dispose of it to the best advantage and bring the proceeds and enjoy the same as if no such removal had taken place.

That at her decease the balance of my estate if such decease should take place before my small children is raised that so much of it as is necessary to the raising of them and schooling of them shall be appropriated to that use and the balance equally divided amongst my children those before portioned of by me giveing credit for what they have received, Edward & Thomas excepted who may come in as if they had received nothing.

That if my wife should like [live?] to raise them that the balance of my estate shall be equally divided amongst my children those that have received of my estate shall have credit except Edward and Thomas who shall be allowed to come in as if they had not received anything.

My will and desire is that my wife Jane be my Executrix and that son James be my Executor. That he receive a reasonable compensation for his trouble necessary to the business.

My will is that in case my wife who is now very low and infirm should she depart this Life before she goes to that Country that my whole executorship devolve on my son James.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal in the presence of the subscribing witnesses, this the first day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fourteen, 1814.

Test. Sylvester Sappington
Lucy Sappington
James Sappington             Richard Wells - his mark t

State of Kentucky This day Sylvester Sappington and James Sappington, the two subscribing Madison County witnesses to the foregoing will appeared before us, Joseph Barnett and David C. Irvine, the assistant Judges for the Circuit Court in said County and made oath that they knew? the above named Richhard Wells, acknowledged the above to be his Last Will and Testament and that he was at that time in sound mind and perfect memory and signed the same in their presence.

Given under our hands and seals this 4th. day of April, 1814.
Joseph Barnett
David C. Irvine

Kentucky

Madison County

I, William Irvine, Clerk of the Circuit Court for the Counnty aforesaid, certify that Joseph Barnett & David C. Irvine who have within certifyed the proof of the Will of Richard Wells, deceased, are assistant Judges of said court and highest Judicial officers in said County, and thattrue faith and credit is and ought to be given to all their attestation as such.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and offered the seal of my office.
Will. Irvine

Recorded the 17th July, 1817
Wm. Christy Jr., Ex Officio Recorder

Source: St. Charles County, Missouri Land Records, Book D, Pages 338-340, L.D.S. Film #968,514

Provided by Laurie Ann Wells - Elam, Washington