Filed Aug. 24, 1774
Will Book 5, Page 265
Staunton, VA.
In the Name of God, Amen: The Twenty-Fourth day of March in the year of our Lord
Seventeen Hundred and Fifty Five. I, John Nickell, of Augusta County within the Dominion of
Virginia, being very sick and weak of Body but of perfect Mind and Memory--Thanks Be To
God Therefore, Calling into Mind the Mortality of My Body and knowing that It Is Appointed
For All Men Once To Die, Do Make and Ordain this My Last Will and Testament; That is to
say Principally and first of All I Give and Recommend My Soul into the Hands of Almighty
GOD that gave it, and my Body to the Earth to be Buried in a Decent and Christian Burial at
the discretion of my Executors,--Nothing Doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall
receive the same again by the Mighty Power of GOD; And, as touching such Worldly Estate
wherewith It Has Pleased to Bless Me in This Life.
I Give and Bequeath to Barbara, my Dearly Beloved Wife the part of the Plantation I now live
on from the Place I already have Devised to my said wife Barbara and my Eldest Son
John--from said Place Upward.
I also Give and Bequeath unto My Eldest Son John the Reversion of said Plantation.
And Likewise I Give and Bequeath unto Barbara, My Well Beloved Wife, the lower End of the
Said Plantation during her Widow-hood. And Afterward to My Two Sons Joseph and Isaac.
I also Give and Bequeath to my Eldest Son John, one Cow and one Sheep.
I also Give and Bequeath unto my Son Thomas, a Horse creature and the Fat Swine and the
Whetstone,--only at His Mother's Pleasure as he Shall Behave or Please her; and if Thomas
Shall Refuse Subjection to His Mother I GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto him One Dollar as his
Sole Part of My Estate.
I also Give and Bequeath unto Elizabeth, my daughter, One Dollar as her part of My Estate
I do Hereby Authorize and Empower my Well Beloved wife Barbara, and Her Brother Andrew
McCombe as whole and sole Executors of This, My Last Will and Testament.
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto Set My Hand and Seal this day and year above written.
Signed, Sealed, Published,
Pronounced and Declared
by the said John Nickell in /s/John Nickell
the Presence of us the Sub-
scribers:-
Alexander Blair, James Reburn
BOND
At a Court continued and held for Augusta County, August the 17th,
1776. This Last Will and Testament of John Nickell, deceased, was proven by the
Oaths of the Witnesses thereto and Ordered to be recorded on the Motion of
Barbara Nickell and Andrew McCombe, the Executors therein named, who Made Oath
according to law. Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof is
due form, they having, with securities, entered late and acknowledged this Their
Bond, according to Law.
Teste
/s/ John Madison, Clerk.
APPRAISAL of the Estate of JOHN NICKELL, deceased, Dated August 24th, 1774.
As submitted to the Court by BARBARA NICKELL and her brother ANDREW McCOMBE,
Executors.
1 Negro Wench 2 Grained deer skins 3 Earthen crocks
9 Cows 2 Large hides in tann 1 Great Bowl
9 Calves 2 Spinning wheels 2 Large iron pot
2 Bulls 1 Smoothing iron 2 Wooden Platters
7 Two yr old Steers 2 Wool shears 12 Spoons
1 Bay Stallion 1 Iron harrow 2 Pewter Platters
2 Young Pacing mares 1 Set Barshue plow irons 6 Forks
3 Young Trotting horses 1 Plow bar & sheer irons 6 Trenchers
1 Work team 1 Wagon 6 Knives
1 Colt 1 Sheer maul, rings, 1 Corner Cupboard
11 head Hogs wedges & iron trucks 1 Dress Board
22 head Sheep 1 Set wagon gears 2 Chests
2 Saddles & lock chains 1 Table
1 pr. Old Saddle Bags 1 Bell 4 Chairs
1 Shot gun 6 Halters 2 Barrels
1 Rifle gun 1 Set scythe hanging 1 Bed & Furniture
1 old Gun & horse trees 1 Smaller Bed and
2 Axes, 4 Bee hives Furniture
Also A Quantity of Rye in the barn, Set of measures including bushel etc. a large outdoor Bake
oven, two iron pots, 2 large earthen crocks, a coarse hackle, set fire Tongs, Steel Yards &
Mattock, Shovels, Sheep bells, a Grid iron, Frying pans, 4 sickles, An Augur, 1 Plane, a
quantity of Flax (rough cleaned), a Quantity of Corn and ochre, A quantity of hemp in the
Field, 80 Dozens of Wheat, a Quantity of Barley, Several Oaks, 1 Hay Fork, 3 Hemp breaks, 2
horse Trees and Irons, 1 large Hand saw, a quantity of small tools, 1 Bowl and some Knoggina,
1 Coat and Vest, 1 old Suit, 1 Great Coat, ETC.
Books listed by the Appraisers were:
2--Bibles;
1--Confession of Faith;
1--"Clements Catechism";
1--Louis' Sermons;
1--"Henry on Prayer";
Several spelling Books &c.
(Note: This Will of John Nickell names as sons, JOHN THOMAS, JOSEPH AND ISAAC and
a daughter ELIZABETH. The foregoing Appraisal of the Estate names ANDREW also as a son
of John Nickell. This appraisal affects personal property only, as the 400 acre Plantation was
devised by will.)
WILL of JOHN NICKELL, Jr.
b.1738 d.1810
(Sarah --- m.1846)
June 17, 1810
Filed in Augusta County, VA
Will Book 1A, pg 109.
I, JOHN NICKLE, of Augusta County and state of Virginia, being at this time in
perfect health and sound mind (Thanks be to God for all his mercies) but knowing the
uncertainty of life and that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make, ordain, constitute
and appoint this instrument of writing to be my last will and testament revoking all others.
In the first place I recommend my soul to God and trust my executors, hereafter named,
will have my body buried in a decent Christian like manner; and touching my worldly estate
wherewith it has pleased God to bless me; it is my desire that it should be disposed of in the
following manner viz:
In the first place to allow all my just debts and funeral charges to be honestly and
speedily paid.
I allow my well beloved wife Sarah the possession of my dwelling house and one third
of my plantation during her life; also my negro woman Lucy and my negro boy Roy Bob during
the same term; also her choice of my horse creatures; four head of cattle and the whole of my
household and kitchen furniture to be at her disposal.
I give and bequeath to my son JOHN the whole of my plantation subject to the above
incumberances bequeathed to my wife, on his paying my granddaughter, Pegy (sic) the sum of
twenty pounds. I give and bequeath to my daughter MARTHA RICHEY my negro girl Pegg
and the balance of my estate I allow to be equally divided amongst my four daughters viz:
MARTHA RICHEY, POLLY CRAVENS, BETSY BLAIR and NANCY NICKLE as also Lucy
and Bob at my wife's death.
I chose as my executors my son JOHN NICKLE and my son-in-law JOSEPH BLAIR
(ALEXANDER?) in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 17th day of
June 1805.
Witnesses:
James Cochran /s/John Nickle
Thomes Hogsett
At a supreme court of law continued and held for Augusta County on Thursday the 20th
day of April 1810 the last will and testament of JOHN NICKLE dec'd was this day proved by
the oaths of JOHN COCKRAN and THOMAS HOGSETT the witnesses thereto and ordered to
be recorded and on the motion of JOHN NICKLE, one of the executors therein named, who
made oath according to law and together with JOHN DONAGHE, his security, entered into and
acknowledged them bound in the penalty of four thousand dollars ($4,000) conditioned as the
law directs, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form and leave is
reserved the other executor therein named to join in the probate when they shall think fit.
Teste
/s/ CHELSEY KENNEY, CC
WILL of THOMAS NICKELL
b.1748 d.1807
(Jane King, m.1768)
Filed in Monroe County, West Virginia
From Will Book 1A, page 84&85)
In the name of God Amen the twenty second day of August in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and three (Aug 22, 1803), I THOMAS NICHOLS (sic) of the County of
Monroe and state of Virginia, being of common health of body and in perfect mind and
memory, thanks be given unto God therefor: and calling unto mind the mortality of my body
and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make, ordain and publish this, my
last will and testament - that is to say
Principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul unto the Hands of God who
gave it, and as for my body I recommend it to the Earth to be buried in a Christian like and
decent manner at the discretion of my executors, noting doubting but at the general Resurrection
I shall receive the same again by the Almighty Power of God and as touching such worldly
estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give and bequeath in the manner
and form following.
First I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Jane that part of my land lying on
Second Creek from the Lick Fording downward for and during the term of her natural life
should she survive me, and also two cows and horse, saddle and bridle, two work horses for the
cultivation of the plantation and a bed and bed clothes are to remain in her possession and to be
to her sole and separate use during her natural life and also the house and household furniture
during the like term.
Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my son John a negro man named Caesar whom I
purchased of my brother, Isaac, after my decease and that of my wife.
Thirdly, after my decease and that of my wife, I direct my executors, herein after
named, to sell at publick sale all my personal property which may then be on the plantation and
also a tract of land which I purchased of ROBERT WYLIE lying near the town of Union, and
also a negro man named SAM, purchased of my brother, Andrew, and my executors are
directed to collect my debts and to divide equally the proceeds of said sales and debts when
collected among all my children to wit: MARGARET, BARBARA, THOMAS, ROBERT,
JANE, ELIZABETH, JOHN, GEORGE, MARY, ANDREW.
Fourthly, after my decease and that of my wife, I give and bequeath to my son JAMES
and his heirs that part of my land whereon I now live on Second Creek from the Lick Fording
down onwards.
Fourthly (sic), I do hereby constitute and appoint my friends, ROBERT PATTON
Senr. and TRISTRAM PATTON and my beloved JANE NICKELL, executors of this my last
will and testament. I do hereby revoke and disannul all and every will and testament heretofore
by me made or published as such, testifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will
and testimony; in testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and
date first above written.
Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of:
ANDREW NICKELL, Sr
JOHN COTTLE /s/Thomas Nickle
JOHN NICKELL
ANDREW NICKELL Junier [sic]
At a court held the 17 day of March 1807 this last will and testament of THOMAS
NICKELL dec'd was produced in court by the executors herein named and proven by the oaths
of ANDREW NICKELL, Junr. and JOHN COTTLE subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered
to be recorded. And thereupon on the motion of JANE NICKELL, executrix, and TRISTRAM
PATTON executors (who made oaths and entered into bond with security in the sum of two
thousand dollars ($2,000) conditioned as the law decrees) leave is granted them for obtaining
probate thereof in due form -
A copy teste
/s/ ISAAC HUTCHINSON C.M.C.
WILL of JOSEPH NICKELL
b.1750 d.1829
(Elizabeth Fowler, m.1770)
June 16, 1829
Filed in Montgomery County, Kentucky
Will Book D, Page 80.
Mt Sterling, KY
I, JOSEPH NICKELL, of the County of Montgomery and State of Kentucky, being in low
and declining health but sound of mind and memory, and being of the opinion that I shall not
remain here long; wishing to dispose of what worldly substance I have , Do Make and
Ordain this my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all others, if any there be, making
this final For all Intents and Purposes.
ITEM, the 1st--After paying all my just debts, I Give And Bequeath to my daughter
Elizabeth Francis, and to my son James Nickell, all that I now have in my possession. That
is, I wish everything to be sold on a credit of twelve months and after said sale - for
Elizabeth Francis to have the equal half of all, in her full and free possession to do and
dispose of as she may think proper; and the other half, my wish is that Jacob Stewart and
William Barrow take in hand for him --- James, and act as his guardian to dispose of as they
may think advisable for his benefit. My wish is that they would use the interest of the
money to his education, and after his coming of proper age to put him to some good
mechanical business that they may choose.
My reason for doing as I have with what I now have is because that I have given a full
share of what I had a long time previous to this time, to the rest of my children. And My
Daughter Betsy having been with me and for her kind attention to me I think this even will
never make her equal to the others. And my little son James I have never given anything.
So I think I have made as equal a division as I could.
I wish for the bond which Jacob Stewart holds on Joseph Nickell, my son, for the Deed of
the land whereon I now live--that Jacob Stewart and William Barrow would attend to getting
the title, and Eye it as above directed.
ITEM, the 2nd--My wish is that Jacob Stewart & William Barrow be my Executors.
Given under my hand & seal this 16th day of June, Eighteen-Hundred and Twenty-nine in
the presence of:
Atteste:
Jacob Shouse /s/ Joseph Nickell
Dewell Summers
August Court
Montgomery County, Kentucky
1829
This last will & testament of JOSEPH NICKELL, deceased, was this day proven by the oaths
of Jacob Shouse and Dervil Summers, witnesses thereto as subscribed, and ordered to be
recorded.
Atteste /s/ M. Harrison, Clerk.
WILL of ISAAC NICKELL
b.1752 d.1839
(Margaret Curry, m.1772)
September 1, 1835
Morgan County, West Virginia
Will Book W 3, pg 422
I, ISAAC NICKELL of Monroe County, do hereby make my last will and testament in the
manner and form following, that is to say,
1st after my decease I desire all my real and personal estate (except one rifle gun I give to
ISAAC NICKELL, son of my daughter, POLLY NICKELL) to be sold for ready money on a
credit as the Executor shall think most advantageous and the moneys arising therefrom to be
divided amongst my heirs as follows.
2nd I desire that my just debts and funeral expenses be first paid.
3rd I give to the children of my son, JOHN NICKELL, deceased, as follows, first-
To ISAAC NICKELL, I will and give eight hundred ($800) which shall be put on interest
until he be twenty one years of age or when he shall have married then to receive it with
interest or so much as is left of it as shall not have been necessarily expended for his education,
to him and his heirs forever.
Secondly to his seven daughters as follows:
To SALLY McLAUGHLIN I give one hundred dollars.
To REBECCA LEMONS Nickell I give sixty dollars.
To LYDIA NICKELL I give sixty dollars.
To NANCY YOUNG I give sixty dollars.
To PEGGY ANNE NICKELL I give sixty dollars.
To BETSY NICKELL I give eighty dollars.
To MARY NICKELL I give sixty dollars.
To them and theirs forever to be paid when collected to their guardian and loaned upon interest
until they either marry or arrive at age of twenty one years.
Should any of the above named heirs and children of my son JOHN NICKELL die without
children of wife or husband then their portion to be equally amongst brothers and sisters of the
deceased.
4th I also give to my granddaughter POLLY DOLAN fifty dollars, to her and her heirs forever
to be paid when the money rising from my estate shall be collected.
5th Should there be a balance after paying off the above named dowers then I will that such
balance be equally divided amongst my children viz:
POLLY NICKELL, ANNE LEWIS, ELIZABETH CRAIGE, BARBARAH NICKELL,
NANCY COTTLE, SUSANNAH ERWIN, SALLY McCALLISTER and JOHN NICKELL, my
grandson to them and their heirs forever.
And lastly I do constitute and appoint my trusty friend, JAMES CURRY, Executor of my last
will and testament and I do hereby revoke all other or former wills and testaments by me
heretofore made declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament, desiring it may be
received by all as such --
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of September in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five.
Signed, sealed, published and declared as and for
the last will and testament of the above named Isaac Nickell in the
presence of us
Benj. A. Curry /s/ Isaac Nickell
George W. Curry
WILL of ROBERT NICKELL
b.1757 d.1838
(Margaret Grey, m.1774)
Aug 16, 1813
Filed in Morgan County, West Virginia
Will Book 1A, pg 236
I, ROBERT NICKELL, of Monroe County and state of Virginia, do make my last will
and testament in manner and form following viz:
I give to my beloved wife the plantation I now live on during her widowhood and if she
does not marry and remains my widow, she is to have it her lifetime with two head of horses,
four head of cattle, ten head of sheep together with all the hogs. Also, one hundred dollars in
cash, one negro woman named Delse with her issue of any, to her and her heirs forever. And
two young negroes, the issue of said Delse, one named Bill and the other Sall, to her lifetime
or marriage to be disposed of at her death or marriage as followeth:
I give to my nephew, ROBERT NICKELLS, my brother THOMAS NICKELL's son,
my plantation whereon I now live, at my wife's death or marriage, to him and his heirs forever
with my clothes.
I give unto my sister, SUSANNAH, one negro girl named SAL at my wife's death or
marriage to her lifetime and then to go to her son, ANDREW LEWIS.
I give unto my nephew, JOHN NICKEL, my brother, THOMAS NICKELL's son, one
negro girl named Bet to him and his heirs forever.
I give unto my nephew, ROBERT NICKELL, my brother, JOSEPH NICKELL's son,
one negro boy named SAM to him and his heirs forever.
My negro man named, JACK, I allow to remain on the place six years and then to be
sold and divided between my two brothers, JOSEPH and ISAAC NICKELL.
I give unto ROBERT NICKELL, son of GEORGE NICKELL, one bond which was
executed by me to the father, GEORGE NICKELL, of one hundred dollars with no interest.
The remainder of my moveable property is to be sold and with the bonds I have in
possession, when collected, to be divided as follows:
I give to my nephew, ROBERT GRANGE, $100.00.
Also I give to my niece, MARY WILEY, ten pounds.
Also to my niece, BARBARY ERWIN, ten pounds.
And the remainder to be divided equally between my brothers, JOSEPH and ISAAC
and my nephew, ROBERT NICKELL, my brother ANDREW's son.
I give unto ROBERT NICKELL, son of ROBERT NICKELL on the Knobs, my gun
and powder horn, shot pouch and etc.
I give unto my brother-in-law, JOHN LEECH, one mare that I sold him for land.
Also I allow ANDREW LEWIS, at his mother's death or as soon as the above negro
girl comes into his hands to pay his brother, GEORGE, fifty dollars.
And lastly I hereby constitute and appoint my nephews GEORGE NICKELL and
ANDREW NICKELL, my brother ANDREW's son, executors of this my last will and
testament hereby revoking all other former wills and testaments heretofore made. In witness
whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal this sixteenth of August Eight
hundred and thirteen.
Signed Sealed Published and
declared as for the Last will
and testament of the above
named Robert Nickell /s/Robert Nickell
James Glenn
John Gray
C.W. Lewis
Probated Monroe November Court 1813
Executors bond $2000
WILL of ANDREW NICKELL
b.1765 d.1838
(Elizabeth Erwin, m.1776)
December 28, 1835
Filed in Monroe County, West Virginia
I, Andrew Nickell Snr, of Monroe County & State of Virginia, being of sound mind &
disposing memory & calling to mind the uncertainty of life, have made this my last will &
testement in manner & form as follows to wit:
1}
I Give unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Nickell my negro girl maned Susy, during this life also
I give to my wife the dweling house & smoke house also the furniture - belonging to my house
excepting two beds & those clothes that is up stairs, also the use of my gardens & woods &
tools, also one bay mare that I got of my son John with his saddle & bridle, also three cows of
his own choosing on the place belonging to me, the produce of the cows & mares to be sold
when young in the foul & the proceeds to go to his own use. Also she is to have of the sheep
four yues & four weathers of his choice & to be kept up. Should any of the same die or get
kiled, also my son Robert is to furnish his my wife yearly with three hundred pounds of beef &
three hundred pounds of pork with a sufficiency of flower & corn meal & sugar & should his
cows get old my son Robert is to take them & furnish good young ones in their place. Also my
son Robert is to furnish sufficency of grain & hay & pasture for his beasts to keep them in good
order with a sufficency of salt for his beasts & also his meat. Also he is to furnish her with
sufficency of fire wood ready cut & to have it put on to his land. Also to sow him a half
bushel of flax seed in good ground every year during his life. My wife is to have liberty to
raise as many chickens as she may want for her use, & my son Robert is to give to my wife
One Hundred & Twenty Dollars in money say silver & she is to have his looms & to have the
disposing of all of my household furniture & other property ^so willedso long as she may think
proper, the two beds up stairs, excepted which is to go to my son Thomas with good cloths say
two rugs as well as a horse that he claims. It is under stood that my wife is to have her share
of the fruit. She is to have full use and of the lot around the house. She also is to have the
clock during her life and after her death it is to go to my son Robert Nickell.
2}
I give unto my son Robert Nickell the Plantation I now live on containing two hundred &
twenty two acres by patten[sic]. Also a quantity of land joining the above tract which I
purchased of Samuel Hamm, formerly belonging to Daniel Perry containing one hundred & five
acres, to him and his heirs for ever. Also I give unto my son Robert all my stock of hogs, all
my farming utensels with all the grain & produce of the plantation. Also a negro girl named
(Amenda Mills) youngest child to him and his heirs for ever.
3}
I give to my son John Nickell my negro boy Lewis, to him & his heirs forever.-
4th}
After the death of my wife the girl Susy is to be sold for the best price that can be got in
money and out of the money from said sale my executors will pay to Susannah Gullett forty
Dollars.
5th}
The said executors to pay to Mary Gullett thirty Dollars.
6th}
The said executors to pay to William Gullett thirty Dollars
7th}
The said executors to pay to Robert Curry one hundred Dollars.
8th}
The said executors to pay Sally Nickell, daughter of my son Frank Nickell, forty Dollars.
9}
The said executors to pay to Mary Nickell & Elizabeth Nickell & John Nickell children &
heirs of my son Frank Nickell but twenty Dollars Each.-
10th}
The said executors to pay to Eliza Nickell, Daughter of my son Andrew Nickell, forty
Dollars. Should the sale of the negro girl Susy not produce the sum of Three Hundred & Fifty
Dollars, the above legetes[sic] will have to loose an equal proportion according to the ^so willed
sum, but should the girl sell for more money the overplus to go to my son Robert Nickell, and
if there should be any increase that is to go to Robert Nickell also.
11th}
I have gave to my Daughters Jenny, Barbara, Mary & Betsy, Each of them their full share of
my Estate that I allow them.- - -
12th}
I gave to my Son Andrew Nickell one hundred & fifty five & half acres of land on the south
side of a survey made for Benjamin Lewis lying in Fayette County on the waters of Brachen
Creek, to him & his heirs for ever. I also give to my son Andw. Nickell two negro men,
Mannaul & Arch, to him & his heirs for ever.
13th}
I gave to my grandson Robert P. Nickell, a tract of land containing two hundred and forty six
acres on the North side of the survey, it being the same place of Sally Hamm, to him & his
heirs forever on. John Nickell, son of Sally Hamm, to him & his heirs forever on.
Condition he delivers up the said title bond so soon as he gets a title to said land by this will.-
14th}
I gave to my xxxxx son Andrew Nickell xxxxx two hundred & twenty & one half acres of
land on the south side of the survey agreeable to the division made & lines by Josiah Shanklin,
by my consent & the consents of all the parties to him & his heirs for ever.
15th}
I gave to my son Thomas Nickell all my wearing clothes.
16th}
I gave to my son Robert Nickell all the rest of my Estate both real Y personal of what soever
nature or kind it may be not heretofore particularly desposed of in this will that is to say Bonds
money debts and all not herein before named, but out of that he is to pay to Betsy Robinson on
condition she stays with me during my life, and with my wife during her life, the sum of fifty
dollars- and also to pay all my just debts & funeral expenses, and is also bound in the penalty
of one thousand Dollars for the faithful keeping of my son Thomas Nickell in Boarding and
Clothing & & lodging.- 17th it is my will that should any of my heirs go to low respecting my
Estate he she or them so doing will forfit their parts of my Estate so willed, and such part or
parts to be equally divided amongst the other heirs. And hastly I do hereby constitute and
appoint my son Andrew Nickell & my son Robert Nickell Executors of this my last Will and
Testament, revoking all other wills or Testaments heretofore made by me in writings.
Thenseof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this 28th day of December 1835.
Signed Sealed by Andw. Nickell Snr is and
for this last will and Testament in the his
presence
of us who at his request and /s/ Andrew X Nickell
in his presence have subended
our names as witnesses & co mark
Witness
James Hanly
William Nelson
Alexander R Humphrey
PROVED in the Monroe County Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery, October term
1838.
Bond of $6000 by executors.
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