Below is the last will and testament of Albert M. Ballard of Oldham County, Kentucky.  We don’t know much about him, and we aren’t sure of his relationship to the Thomas M. Ballard mentioned in the will, who may be Thomas Montague Ballard (1789-1865) of Oldham County.

The will devises property to his wife Harriet, who we know to be Harriet Louisa Button, the daughter of John Button of Oldham County, who also died in 1835.  An abstract of his will that was found online appears below.

Will of Albert M. Ballard of Oldham County, Kentucky (1835).

I, Albert M. Ballard of the County of Oldham and State of Kentucky being weak of body but of sound and disposing memory do make this my last will and testament in manner following, to wit:

First I give and bequeath to my wife Harriet Ballard three of my negro slaves, to wit: Linn, Kitty and Amanda and their future increase for and during the natural life of the said Harriet Ballard, and should the said Harriet marry after my decease and at her death leave lawful heirs of her body living at the time of her death then my will and desire is that said three negroes and their future increase shall go to and vest in the said heirs of the said Harriet Ballard, and in default of of such heirs of the body of the said Harriet living at the time of her death, then my will and desire is that said three negroes and their future increase shall go to and vest in all the children of Thomas M. Ballard that may be living at the time of my death, to be divided among the said children of the said Thomas M. Ballard in such manner and in such proportions as he the said Thomas M. Ballard may think proper.

Secondly I give and bequeath to the said Thomas M. Ballard my negro man Jeff with the understanding that this bequest is made in discharge of a debt of about $400 which I am owing to the said Thomas M. Ballard, on condition the said Thomas M. Ballard will take the said negro man Jeff in discharge of said debt and also pay to my wife the said Harriet Ballard $150 for said negro within one year from my death.

Thirdly I give and bequeath to the said children of the said Thomas M. Ballard that may be living at the time of my death all and singular my other negroes and slaves and their future increase to be divided among the said children of the said Thomas M. Ballard in such manner and proportions as he the said Thomas M. Ballard may think proper.

Fourthly I give and bequeath to my wife the said Harriet Ballard all and singular the other property I own either in ? or expectancy and all my right and credit of all descriptions and ? whatsoever and that is not before disposed of in this will, and

Lastly I do nominate and appoint the said Thomas M. Ballard sole Executor of this my last will and testament.  In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and affix my seal this 17^th day of September in the year of our Lord 1835.

Signed: A. M. Ballard

Signed in our presence who attested the same: Geo. Armstrong, W.S. H. Slater, F.B. Culver.

At a county court for the County of Oldham on the 19^th day of October 1835, this writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Albert M. Ballard dec’d was presented in court and proved by the oaths of Geo. Armstrong and W.G.H. Slater, tow of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded, which is done accordingly.  Attest: [illegible]

Recorded Oldham Co. Ky. Will Book 1, p. 417.

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Will of John Button of Oldham County, Kentucky (1835).

In the name of God Amen I John Button of the County of Oldham and the State of Kentucky being weak in body but of sound mind…I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Frances Button for and during her natural life my mansion house and half of my farm and the following servants…and all my household and kitchen furniture, three head of my stock of horses to be by her chosen, five cows if she should want so many and ten head of sheep and twenty head of hogs to be also chosen by her…all the balance of my wordly estate …to be equally divided amongst my children except my son Leonard who is to have a $50.00 horse over and above the rest of my children which was given to him by his grandfather Leonard Young.  …I have a quarter section of land in the State of Missouri which I will and bequeath to either of my children who may first ? of it at the sum of $350.00 which is to be considered in the division of my estate…I give to my son James Button my tan yard and four acres of ground around the same so as to include the spring…I have heretofore given to my son Joel H. Button $700.00 & $100.00…I charge him for the rent of my tan yard and shop which he has had five years making in all $800.00 which sum is to be considered in the division of my estate…I have heretofore given to my son Henry Button $360.00 which in the division of my estate is to be considered as so much received by him; to my son Leonard Button I have heretofore given $200.00 which in the division of my estate is to be considered as that much received by him; to my son in law Albert M. Ballard who married my daughter Harriet Louisa I have heretofore given $100.00 which is to be considered in the division of my estate as so much rec’d by him…having full confidence in the honesty and ability of my sons Joel H. Button & Henry Button and my son in law Albert M. Ballard do hereby appoint them executors to this my last will and testament…3/15/1835

Wit: Thomas Button, Daniel Yager

Probated 5/18/1835.  Recorded Oldham Co. Ky. Will Book 1, p. 393.