Thompson Will

Last week, I stumbled upon a hint that the father of my ancestor, John B Thompson, was David Thompson of Barren County, KY. Following that hint, I found the will of a David Thompson in Barren county, KY. Among his children was a John B. Thompson.

Unfortunately, there were a couple of clues in the will that suggested that the John B Thompson of the will was not my ancestor.

• My ancestor was not living in Barren County, KY at the time and I currently have no record placing him in Barren County, KY


• The list of children did not include where they lived. For example, it did not say John B Thompson of Warrick County, IN.


• John B Thompson was named as one of the executors.

Trying to prove/disprove a link between my John B. Thompson and David Thompson of Barren County, KY, I did further research on the David Thompson family. I found a marriage record for David Thompson and Mary V Waller in the Virginia Marriages 1740-1850 database on Ancestry.

When I searched public member trees for a John Thompson with parents David Thompson and Mary Waller, I found several trees. Most of those trees had an 1850 census record for John B Thompson in Barren County, KY attached as a source. Since I have census records placing my John B. Thompson in Wapello county in 1850 and 1856, I don't believe these are the same men.

I am concluding that the will for David Thompson of Barren County, KY is NOT for my ancestor. Below is a transcription of that will.

Barren County, Kentucky
Will Records, 1828-1856, Vol. 3
Image 63 of 249

Page 98

In the name of God amen I David Thompson of the County of Barren State of Ky having some afflictions in body of a sound perfect mind and memory thanks be to the Almighty God for the same knowing that it appointed for all men to die wishing to dispose of my worldly property that God has been pleased to bless me with do make & publish this my last will & testament in manner & form following
First, I give and bequeth to by beloved wife Mary V Thompson all my property I am in possession of or may be willed or devised to me, any way whatever all my tract of land whereon I now live with all the appurtenances there unto belonging all my negroes horses and stock of every description with my farming utensils house hold kitchen furniture and should there be any thing that is not here named I give and bequith the same and what is above named to my beloved wife during her natural life
2nd after my death I wish my wife to pay all my just debts out of the above named property and to give to the two children now living with us namely Jane Thompson and Nathan Thompson to be equal with those that has had the largest portion also all those that are married make them equal one with another according to her best judgement and what time she pleases or can conveniently share the property
3rdly where as I have a lawful claim to a certain piece or parcel of land whereon my son Wm Thompson now lives for which I have a title bond from Isaac Mize and when said right are made to me from sd Mize I intend to make general warranty deed to my son William and have recd full value of my son William for said land should I depart this life before said deed is made to said William my executor or executrix shall make said deed to said William Thompson and the land named in this third item is in no wise considered any part of his portion as I have received full value.
4th and lastly after the death of my wife it is my wish and desire all the residue of my property shall be equally divided among all my children namely William W Thompson Elizabeth G Wallis John B Thompson James G Thompson Lewis Thompson Jane Thompson Nathan Thompson should either of my children die without lawful issue their part shall revert back tot he rest of my children and their lawful representatives. I also constitute and appoint Mary V Thompson my beloved wife John B Thompson & Lewis Thompson my sole executrix and Executors to this my last will and testament. In testimone whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal this seventh day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty five
David Thompson
signed sealed published & delivered by the above named David Thompson to be his last will & testament in the presence of us. Who at his request in his presents have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses to the same
Geo Shirly
Jas Reas
Jos R Compton
Abner H Snow

Kentucky, Barren. Will Records, 1828-1856. Film #004818753. David Thompson, 7 May 1835 vol. 3: page 98; digital images, FamilySearch www.familysearch.org : viewed online September 2018.