In the name of God Amen I Carty Wells of Shelby County and State of Kentucky being in perfect health and calling into mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and Testament and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life I give and dispose of same in the following form.

Item; I give and bequeath to my loving wife Peggy during her natural life one half of the tract of land on which I now live to be divided so as to include one half of the Plantation. Also three negroes towit, Jane, James and Eddy during her natural life, also two horse kinds such as she may think fit to choose out of my stock of horses three cows and calves eight head of sheep half my stock of hogs, also all my household furniture together with all my farming utensils.

Item; I give to my son John one half the tract of land on which I now live containing one hundred and thirty eight acres to be divided as to include one half the plantation, and at the death of his mother the other half of the aforesaid tract of land.

Item; I give and bequeath to the heirs of my son Haden (towit) Yelverton Wells, Elisha Wells, Peggy B. Wells and Joshua R. Wells six negroes towit, Charles, George, Easther, Lolly, Anderson and Davy. Also fifty acres of land on which Haden now lives in Shelby County and a tract of land bought of Adam Shepherd adjoining the above mentioned land if not sold in my lifetime. Should I sell any of the said negroes the heirs is not to expect satisfaction in place whatever of said negro or negroes, the above bequeath is considered to be given to the heirs that he may hereafter have as well as those all ready mentioned.

Item; Leave old Moses, Sol (Sal?) and Harry to be hired until my wife death and the money arising from the hire of said negroes to be one sixth part given to the heirs of Haden, the balance to be equally divided between my daughters Frankie, Lydia, Betsy, Sally and Peggy to them and their heirs.

Item; As I wish the negroes not to be sold out of the family and that they be disposed of so as to let them be convenient to their wives and the women to their husbands. I leave til the death of my wife the following negroes, Moses, Sal, Harry, Jane, James, Lemer? and Eddy to be divided in the following manner; that is to say one sixth part of the appraisements of said negroes to be given to the heirs of my son Haden as above mentioned, one sixth part to my daughter Lydia and the balance to be equally divided between my daughters Betsy, Frankie, Sally and Peggy to them or their heirs.

Item; I leave all my real and personal estate not before mentioned to be sold and the money arising from the sale to be divided as follows towit (the next sentence is missing from my copy but appears to be the same as above bequests, being one sixth part to the heirs of Haden and one sixth part to Lydia) balance to be equally divided between my daughters Betsy, Frankie, Sally and Peggy to them or their heirs forever. And I do hereby appoint my sons John Wells, Jesse Stone and Coleman Stone my executors of this my last Will and Testament revoking all others. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this first day of July, one thousand eight hundred and twelve.

Carty Wells (Seal)

Signed sealed and acknowledged in the presence of us: David Standeford, David Standeford Jr., John Standeford, Rebecca Standeford

Shelby County

Proved October County Court 1812 ~

The within last will and testament of Carty Wells deceased was produced in court and proved by the oaths of David Standeford Jr., John Standeford and Rebecca Standeford Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.