It's my wish to share what I know about the simple gift of family. Family names include Nichols, Edmondson, Appleby, Reitzel, Smith, Richardon,Thompson, Crapson, Little, Barton,Mikel,South,and Free(Ferree) among others.

Simple Gifts

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right

From Thee I Came

As a young girl I loved to read books of families who lived long ago. As I grew older I started to appreciate the stories my parents told my sisters and me of our ancestors and came to realize that these were just like the stories I loved so much. The only difference was these were my stories because they were about my people. They were stories of pioneers who worked hard, moved from place to place, fought wars and did what it took to survive. So now I share with you some of the stories about these people.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

The Will of James Nichols 1762 -- 1834

 A copy of James Nichols Will as transcribed by me from a copy of the original

            I James Nichols of the county of Hendricks and state of Indiana being weak in body but of sane and perfect mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making said all former wills by me at anytime hereafter made.
            First it is my will that all my just debts and funeral expenses be in due time paid by my Executors thereafter named. And as to such Worldly Estate as it has pleased God to enable me to procure, I will and bequeath in the following manner, to wit, first it is my will that my sons Erasmus and Thomas and my daughters Sally, Betsey, and Jane have each one dollar over and above what they have already received from my hands to be paid by my Executors out of the proceeds of my personal Estate.
            Secondly, I will and bequeath unto my son Andrew the East half of the North East Quarter of section seven in Township fifteen North of Range and West in the district of Lands subject to sale at Crawfordsville, Indiana.  Also one horse beast, saddle and bridle to be taken out of my personal Estate, the horse beast to be worth thirty five dollars.  Thirdly I will and bequeath to my son James the West half of the North East quarter of section seven in Township fifteen North of range and West in the district of lands subject to sale at Crawfordsville, Indiana, with the exception of three acres lying in the North West corner of said half section which said three acres I did heretofore convey by deed to one Mareen Bonifield; I also will unto my sons James one horse beast to be taken out of my personal property to be worth thirty-five dollars also one saddle and bridle.
            Fourthly I will unto my daughter Harriett and Eleanor each, one feather bed furniture, a cow and calf, also one good side saddle and bridle each.  Fifthly, it is my will that whatever may remain of my personal Estate after paying off my debts and settling the expenses of my business and the legacies herein before bequeathed , remain in the hands of my beloved wife; It is also my will that my beloved wife remain in the possession of the house and farm in which I now live during her natural life.
            Lastly I do hereby make and ordain my sons Erasmus and Thomas Executors of this my last will and testament.
            In Witness whereof  I James Nichols the testator, have hereunto set my hand and  seal this 8th day of September AD 1834.

                                                                                
                                                                     James  Nichols    Seal
                                                                     X his mark                                     

Signed sealed published and declared by the above named James Nichols as his last will and testament in presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names in the presence of the said testator and in presence of each other, this 8th day of September AD 1834
                                                                                                (J or S) T Hadley
                                                                                                Edward Strange

State of Indiana Hendricks County
            Be it remembered that on this 7th day of February AD 1835 the within will of James Nichols deceased was produced by Erasmus Nichols one of the Executors therein named.                       


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Thank you    Margaret Rothrock