Last Will and Testament of John T. Baker
Apr. 1, 1857 Boone County, AR
I, John T. Baker, of the County of Carroll and State of Arkansas, as
being this day sound in mind and body and my recollection being good, but
know the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death and not knowing the
time of my dissolution do make known and declare the following to be my last
will and testament.
First, I will at my death my body a decent burial in the bosom of it's
mother Earth and my spirit to the God who gave it.
Second, I will and direct that my funeral expenses and all my just debts
be paid immediately after my death out of my money that I may die
possessed of or the first that may come into the hands of my executor.
Third, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Mary Baker, all of my
estate of every kind, both real and personal or mixed during her life or
widowhood, to have and to enjoy the same right and control over the same
that I now have and enjoy.
Fourth, I will and direct that at the death or marriage of my said wife,
Mary Baker, that my property both real and personal be disposed of as
follows: amongst my bodily heirs, whether born at my death or not.
Fifth, that my son Pleasant Madison Baker, have a certain negro boy named
Charles if said negro boy shall live until my son should arrive at the age
of 21 years; if not, he is to have eight hundred dollars in the place of
said boy, which sum or boy he is to have over and above any of my
children.
Sixth, I will and direct that all my children that never have received any
property from me, receive a good horse and saddle or the value thereof in
money and all that have received no land from me, shall receive land to
the value of $100 or $100 in money.
Seventh, After my children have received the above I will and direct that
the remainder of my property of every kind be equally divided among all of
my heirs.
Eighth, I will and direct that all of my daughters that [receive] any of
my property or effects as my heirs shall have a right to use and enjoy the
same but their husbands shall never have any right to dispose of their
property or effects received of me.
Ninth, I do hereby appoint Joseph B. Baines* as my Executor.
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this April, 1,
1857.
Signed and acknowledged in the presence of John Crabtree.
his
John Bunch signed John T. Baker's name at his request.
John T. x Baker
mark
*Note: Joseph Benjamin Baines (1820-1903) was the
husband of Mary Frances Beller (1821-1912). Mary Frances Beller's sister
was Minerva
Ann Beller who was married to George Washington Baker, the son of John
Twitty Baker. Minerva Ann (Beller) Baker, George Washington Baker, and
John Twitty
Baker were victims of the 1857
Mountain Meadows Massacre in Utah.
