“I commit my Soul to the mercies of God, in Christ Jesus our Saviour, through the Holy Spirit.
“Signed and sealed in the presence of Jacobs W. Schuckers and R. C. Parsons as my last Will and Testament this 19th day of November in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy.
“S. P. Chase.”
Will of Henry Clay
Henry Clay died June 29, 1852. After the usual formal opening, his will has the following provision:
“I give and devise to my wife during her life, the use and occupation of Ashland, with the exception of the piece thereof hereinafter devised to my son John, and also during her life all my slaves except those heretofore or hereinafter otherwise disposed of without her being liable to any account for the profits thereof. I also give to her in fee all my furniture, plate, paintings, library, carriages and Horses, and such of my other horses, mules, working beasts, Milch Cows and other live stock as she may select and choose to retain but upon this condition nevertheless, that either during her life, or by her last Will and Testament she dispose of the same among our children and our other descendants in such way as she may think proper according to her own sense of their kindness, affection and obedience to her. If she die without making such disposition the same is to be considered as part of my residuary estate.
“Should my wife not desire to reside at Ashland after my death I will and direct that a house and lot be purchased, built, or rented for her wherever she may prefer to dwell.”
The next provision invests his executors with full power and authority to sell and convey any part of his estate wherever situated, which is not in the will specifically devised or bequeathed. He next directs that in the event of the sale of his Ashland property, the proceeds shall be loaned out upon good and sufficient security, and that the interest accruing thereon be regularly paid to his wife during her life, and upon her death, the property in trust should pass into his residuary estate after the payment of the legacies mentioned in the will.
Unto his son Thomas, he devises the place known as Mansfield, where the son resided, in trust, however, that it should be retained free from all debts or encumbrances as a residence for the son and his wife and children.
There is given to the son, Thomas, the sum of five thousand dollars, and he was acquitted from any debts which he owed the testator.