This page is a narrative of the slavery history for Littleberry Thurman (abt.1790-abt.1845).
L B Thurman Deceased Will
In the name of God, I Little Berry Thurman of the county of Cumberland and state of Kentucky being of sound mine and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form as followeth (to wit) After my funeral expenses and just debt are all paid,
I gave unto my blind wife Pamela Branch Thurman the tract or tracts of land whereon I now live containing five hundred and nineteen acres more or less. I also gave to my wife Pamela B Thuman the following named negroes or slaves by name Lola [needs review], Gilbert, George, Ben, Bill, Nancy, Mary, Frankey, Sally, Mandy, Jinney [or Ginney], Esau, Walt and Daniel.
It is also my will that the following named negroes I loan unto my beloved wife Pamela B Thurman, so long as she may live for her support and at her death I gave the same unto William Archer Walthal son of Marandy Walthall, Cate, Elsey, Henry, Prior, Mima, Davey, Delila, Lucy, Moses, Lot, Kitty, Seasor, John, Bill and Gabrael, and place the above named fifteen negroes in the hands of Lemaris Bowman for the support of said William Archer Walthall until he becomes twenty one .years of age; and should the aforesaid William Archer Walthall son of Marandy Walthall dye without lawful issue, it is my will that the fifteen above named negroes and there increase be equally equally divided between the heirs of Lemaris Bowman.
It is also my will that my wife Pamela B Thurman have all the use and benefit of the tract of land on the East side of Cumberland River lying betwixt William Checks and Dan Creek containing three hundred acres more or less, so long as she may live, and at her death I gave the same three hundred acres of land more or less to William Archer Walthall son of Marandy Walthall and place the said land in the hands of Lemars Bowman for the use and benefit of said William Archer Walthall until he is twenty five years of age, and should the aforesaid William A Walthall dye without lawful issue the aforesaid land to be equally divided betwixt the heirs of brother William Thurman deceased ; and it is also my will that the tract of land whereon Marley P Walthall now lives lying on the South side of Cumberland River on Clear/Clovis? [needs to be reviewed] Creek and Darcas a negro woman and Olive a boy and Susan a girl if required be sold to pay my just debts and should the last named tract of land and three negores not be sufficient to pay all my debts to take out of the fifteen negroes I left William Archer Walthall until my debts is paid and if there be any of the land or proceeds of the land or negroes set apart to pay my debts left, then it is my will that the whole go to William A Walthall and if the said William A Walthall dye without lawful issue it is my will that the aforesaid land and three last named negroes or any part thereof be equally divided betwixt the heirs of brother William Thurman deceased.
It is my will also that my wife Pamela B Thurman have all of my horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, household kitchen and farm utensils of all kinds and description whatsoever and all of my cash and cash notes. And also my will that Lemaris Bowman, at the death of my wife be entitled to Louisa [??] and Nelly and there increase which two girls is not before mentioned. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 4th day of July 1842 and do appoint Lemaris Bowman and Pamela B Thurman my wife executor and executrix to this my last will as dated above. – L. B. Thurman Witnesses – Joel Owsley – I H Walthall
I hereby nominate constitute and appoint Wm Check co-executioner of this my last will and testament, I also give unto William A Walthall son of Marandy Walthall for the love I have for him the parcels of land I bought of M King and Owsley on Bar Creek when he becomes twenty one years old.
This the 19th of August 1845. – L. B. Thurman
Teste – John Rush – Maranda S Garret
Kentucky Cumberland Circuit Court SS I Melton King Clerk of the Circuit Court for said county do certify that I have (in pursuance to a decree of the Cumberland Circuit Court in an appeal of John M Alexander Jr vs. L B Thurmans executors, recorded the within “Last will and testament of said Little B Thurman deceased I record book K page 159 and the same is ordered to be certified and transmitted to the Clerk of the Cumberland County Court for record.
Given under my hand this 17th day of October 1845 - M King Clk
By Thomas T Alexander DC
Kentucky Cumberland County Court I Milton King clerk of the county court for said county do certify that I have truly recorded the within last will and testament of L B Thurman deceased in my said office in will book D page 348.
Given under my hand this 23rd day of October 1845 - M King Clk
By T T Alexander DC
Transcribed 12 March 2024 by Richard L Fryrear