Last Will and Testament of William King Bradford

submitted by Sandra Nichols

Source: Book C, Page 52-53
Letters of Guard. and Bonds
Van Buren County Courthouse Archives
Clinton, Arkansas
Will of William King Bradford
Died: Nov., 1881
In the name of God, Amen,

I, William K. Bradford, being in good health and sound both in body and mind: but in view of the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being desirous of disposing of my worldy goods among my heirs according to the dictates of justice, do make and declare this my last will and testament revoking all former wills, and bequests whatsoever to wit;
1st I commend my soul to God who gave it, humbly trusting in His mercy.

2nd I direct that out of my personal estate my funeral expenses and all my just debts be paid.

3rd I will and bequeath that all the balance of my personal estate and all my lands shall be subject to the dower interest and comfortable support of my wife Nancy Bradford, so long as she shall remain my widow, and that all the bequests herein after mentioned are to be considered as subject to this clause.

4th To my son David C. Bradford to whom I have heretofore given about five hundred dollars, I give and bequeath the further sum of ten dollars.

5th To my son William T. Bradford I give and bequeath the following tract of land: to wit: The East 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of Section 29 Twp 11N Range 12W of the 5 principal meridian, containing eighty acres, be the same more or less, the same lying and being in the county of Van Buren, State of Arkansas, my said son William T. Bradford to have no further interest or share in my real or personal estate.

6th To my son Killis J. Bradford, I give and bequeath the following described land to wit: the SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 and the NE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of section 21 Township 11N Range 12W of the 5th principal meridian of Van Buren County containing (unreadable) more or less, and the (unreadable) Island in Sec 28, Township 11N Range 12W, 5 principal meridian, in same county containing fifty acres, my said son Killis J. Bradford to have no further interest or share in my estate real or personal.

7th To the balance of my heirs to wit: To Rachel Gadberry and Pernice Bradford my daughters,
and to Caroline Mills, Frances Mills, James C. Mills, David C. Mills, John Mills and Thomas M. Mills, Lewis and Nancy J. Mills, dec'd, and William S. Bradford, Nancy E. Bradford and Terinda Bradford, children of Francis M. Bradford deceased, and William Dickerson and Nancy Dickerson,
children of Isaac Dickerson and Elizabeth Dickerson, deceased, and my grandchildren, I give and bequeath the sum of one dollar each, together with what remains of my personal property after carrying out the above bequests.

8th For the purpose of carrying into effect this my last will and testament I do hereby appoint my son, William T Bradford, Executor of the same.
Witness my hand and Seal this the 5th day of February AD 1871. William K. Bradford (Seal)

Signed and sealed in
Presence of Wm A Monroe
Zachariah Thompson
Wm J. Pate
October 16, 1882
The within will was this day taken up for further hearing and consideration and upon the claim of Sam. W. Simpson Esq. as atty for G. J. Cullum & Pernice Cullum, W.H. Gadberry and Rachel Gadberry heirs at law, the same was submitted to a jury who found that the will is valid and the same is hereby admitted to Probate and ordered to be recorded.
John Middleton
(Probate Judge)
Oct. 16/1882
Filed and Recorded October 19, 1882