Slaves of Harmon Greathouse 1762-1849

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Nelson, Kentucky, United States
Surnames/tags: Slavery Black Heritage

Several slaves are named in the will of Harmon Greathouse:

• Eliza (deceased)
• Charity (deceased)
• Catherine (b. about 1828)
• Patience
• Parisade (b. about 1823)

Will

Will of Harmon Greathouse

Nelson County Will Book 6, Page 275 (2 pages both listed as 275)

I, Harmon Greathouse, of Nelson County and State of Kentucky, being in old age and infirm in body, but of a sound mind and disposing memory, for which I have abundant reason to thank God. And being desirous to dispose of all my worldly estate with which God hath been pleased to bless me, do make this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills.

First. I desire that all my just debts be paid.

Second. I will and bequeath to my son, Joseph F. Greathouse^[1], two feather beds with their furniture and one sugar tree bedstead in addition to what I have heretofore given him. It is my will also that my servant woman, Patience, shall remain on my son Joseph’s farm where we now live and serve him as she has me and keep her household furniture. If Joseph should die or move off before said Patience dies, she is to be at liberty to make choice of any one of my children to live with. My wish is for her to be kindly treated as she has been a faithful servant.

Third. I will and bequeath to my daughter, Elizabeth Bridwell, my servant girl Parisade, aged about seventeen years, and her increase. Said girl is now in the possession of my said daughter Elizabeth.

Fourth. I will and bequeath to my son Joseph F. Greathouse my servant girl Catherine (aged about fourteen years) and her increase in trust for my daughter Jemima Porter and her children. Said girl Catherine is now in the possession of said Jemima Porter and said Catherine and her increase should she have any, I will to the said Joseph as aforesaid for the sole benefit for my daughter Jemima and her children and for no other purpose.

Sixth. I will and bequeath the remainder of my estate, both real and personal, of what nature or kind soever it may be not heretofore particularly disposed of, to be equally divided among my several children, namely, Luther Greathouse, Jonathan Greathouse, (Isaac Greathouse heirs to draw one equal share), William Greathouse, John Greathouse, Polly Greathouse now Polly Hall, Rudolphus B. Greathouse’s heirs to draw one equal share, Elizabeth Greathouse now Elizabeth Bridwell and Jemima Greathouse, now Jemima Porter, which will make nine shares. Said Jemima Porter’s share I will to my son Joseph F. Greathouse in trust for said Jemima and her children to paid over to them by the said Joseph as he may think their necessities may require.

Seventh. It is my will that in the settling up of my estate that my daughter Elizabeth Bridwell be charged with one hundred dollars for the use of my Negro girl Charity which died in her possession.

Eighth. Also that Jemima Porter be charged with one hundred dollars for the use of my Negro girl Eliza, which died in her possession.

And lastly I do appoint my son Joseph F. Greathouse and Francis Belmear, Executors of this my last will and testament in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this seventeenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-two.

Harmon Greathouse

Teste. P. B. Samuels, J. W. Samuels

At a county court held for Nelson County at the courthouse in Bardstown on the 14th day of January 1850

This last will and testament of Harmon Greathouse, deceased, was this day produced in court and proved by the oath of Preston B. Samuels, subscribing witness thereto, who also made oath that J. W. Samuels, that other subscribing witness to said will, subscribed his name to said will in his presence and at the request of testator, whereupon said will is ordered to be recorded. Francis Bealmear, on of the executors appointed in said will came into court renounced his right to qualify as executor.

Attest. Nathaniel Wickliffe, Clerk