Estate Settlement of William King Bradford

transcribed and submitted by Sandra Nichols

Source: Book C, Page 60-63
Guard and Administration
Van Buren County Courthouse Archives
Clinton, Arkansas
Estate Settlement of William King Bradford
Transcribed from copy of original Document

Dated: Oct. 18th, 1882

This agreement by and between Nancy Bradford, widow, of Wm. K. Bradford deceased, and D.C. Bradford, Rachel Gadberry, W.T. Bradford, Pernice Cullum and K. J. Bradford, Children of the said William K. Bradford and Jas. C. Mills, Caroline Winfry, David Mills, Francis Numin, John Mills, and Thomas Mills, children of Jane Mills Nee Bradford deceased, and W.S. Bradford, Nancy E. Bradford, and Terinda Bradford, children of F.M. Bradford Deceased, and William Dickerson and Nancy Dickerson, children of Elizabeth Dickerson Nee Bradford deceased, and grandchildren of the said William King Bradford Decd, witnesseth that whereas all of the above named persons are heirs at law and legatees under the last will and testament of the said William K. Bradford decd and whereas the said above named persons as such heirs and legatees are desireous of preventing further contest of the will of said William K. Bradford deceased and of settleing all litigation concerning his estate and of a speedy settlement of the administration thereof. Now it is agreed by all of the subscribers hereto that the real and personal estate of the said William K. Bradford be divided among his widow and heirs according to this agreement. Each of us relinquishing claims to any legacy under the said will and to every right thereunder except as herein stipulated.
1st It is agreed that the said Nancy Bradford widow of the said William K. Bradford shall have the full use and enjoyment and control of the home place north of the river during her natural life or widowhood and that K.J. Bradford shall exucute to her a proper release with relinquishment of dower therein to the said land to that effect. That she shall as such widow ne endowed and take absolutely in her own right her household and kitchen funiture, beds, bedding, and all other property in addition to dower allowed a widow by law and has her absolute property as dower of said estate one third of all moneys, goods, chattels, and other personal property to be slected by her at its appraised value.

2nd That William T. Bradford have the lands willed to him by William K. Bradford decd. free from any other claims of either of the other subscribers hereto.

3rd That Killis T Bradford have the lands willed to him by William K. Bradford decd. subject to the life estate of said Nancy Bradford to be part thereof as above mentioned and free from any other claims of either of the subscribers hereto.

4th That out of the remainder of the personal estate of said Wm. K. Bradford decd. the administator or executor shall purchase a neat marble headstone and foot stone with suitable superscription thereon to be placed at the grave of the said William K. Bradford deceased (Wm. T Bradford and K. J. Bradford to contribute a __?__ perportion of the expense thereof) to pay all expenses of administrators, attorney fees, and other necessary exspenses of settling of said estate.

5th That after settleing and paying off all of the above mentioned claims the executor or administrators shall divide the balance of said estate between D.C. Bradford, Rachel Gadberry, Pernice Cullum, J.C. Mills, Caroline Winfrey, David Mills, Francis Numin, John Mills, Thomas Mills, W.S. Bradford, Nancy E. Bradford (now Dempsey) Terindy Bradford (Now Esres), William Dickerson and Nancy Dickerson (now Scott) so that the said D.C. Bradford shall have one share or one-sixth of the said balance, Rachel Gadberry shall one share or one-sixth, Pernice Cullum shall have one share or one-sixth, J.C. Mills, Caroline Winfrey, David Mills,Frances Numin, John Mills and Thomas Mills shall have one share or one sixth divided between them giving each one thirty sixth(S?) W.S. Bradford, Nancy E. Bradford and Terinda Bradford shall have one share or one sixth divided between them giving to each one eighteenth part. William Dickerson and Elizabeth Dickerson shall have one share or one sixth divided between them so that each one shall have one twelfth part.
In Witness whereof we hereunto set our hands this 18th day of October 1882.

Nancy Bradford (her mark)
David C. Bradford
Rachel Gadberry
Pernice Cullum
K.J. Bradford
James C. Mills
W.S. Bradford
W.T. Dickerson
Nancy E. Dempsey (her mark)
Caroline Winfrey (her mark)
Frances Numin (her mark)
David C. Mills (his mark)
Nancy Scott (her mark)
D.C. Bradford as guardian
for John and Thomas Mills
Terinda F. Estes (her mark)

State of Arkansas County of Van Buren Be it remembered that on this day came before the undersigned W.M. Peel clerk of the circuit court withon and foir said county aforesaid duly commissioned and acting, Nancy Bradford, D.C. Bradford, W.T. Bradford, Rachel Gadberry, Pernice Cullum, K.J. Bradford, James C. Mills, W.S. Bradford, and W.T. Dickerson to me well known to be the same parties whose names appear to the within instrument of writing and each of them acknowledged that they signed said instrument of writing for the consideration and purpose therein mentioned and set forth.
Witness my hand and seal as such clerk this 18th day of October 1882
W.M. Peel Clerk

Be it remembered that on this 19th day of October 1882 personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the peace duly qualified and acting, Nancy E. Dempsey, Caroline Winfrey, Francis Numin, David C. Mills and Nancy Scott, and each of them acknowledged that the signed the foregoing instrument in writing freely and voluntarily and for the consideration and purposes therein mentioned and set forth and I do so certify. Asa Linn J.P.

State of Arkansas County of Van Buren Be it remembered that on this 19th day of October A.D. 1882, personally appeared before me the undersigned Notary Public duly qualifed and acting, Terinda F. Estes. She acknowledged that she signed the foregoing instrument of within fully and voluntarily and for the consideration and purposes therein mentioned and set forth and I do so certify. Wm. Gibson N.P.
Filed for record Nov 19, 1882
Recorded January 20, 1883
W.M. Peel Clerk
By W.V. Tompkins DC