Richard James made his last will and testament in April 1821. It was recorded the following December. He left his estate to his wife Elizabeth during her lifetime or widowhood. If she remarried, she got one-third, and their children jointly got the rest. At her death, the estate went jointly to their children. In November 1839, the children settled the estate when three of them sold the tract to the other three.
Bullitt County Will Book A, Page 379
In the name of God Amen. I Richard James of the county of Bullitt and state of Kentucky, being low in health and much indisposed in body but of sound mind, memory and understanding, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in the manner and form, that is to say after all my just debts and funeral expenses is justly and honestly paid, and with respect to my property that God has blest me with, I dispose of in the following manner (to wit).
I give and bequeath to my loving wife Elizabeth James all my property both real and personal of every nature and kind during her natural life or widowhood, but i case she should marry she in that case is to take one-third of all the property and the remaining two-thirds to be equally divided amongst all my children then living, namely Anne Stallings, Richard James, Elizabeth James, Susan James, John James and Harriet James. And in case she should remain a widow during her life she is to have full possession of all the estate, and at her death the property, both real and personal is to be equally divided amongst my children before named, or as many of them as should be living at that time; and should my wife think proper to dispose of any said property for the use of schooling the children or the use of the family she is at liberty so to do.
I hereby nominate and appoint my wife Elizabeth executrix and Samual Stalling and Richard James and Benjamin Brashear, all three of Bullitt County and state of Kentucky executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 14th day of April 1821.
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the testator and for this my last wil and testament in and present who in his presents and at his request have signed our names as witnesses hereto.
(signed) Richard James, Richard Brashear, John (his x mark) Trunnel, Henry Stallings
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The Bullitt County History Museum, a service of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is located in the county courthouse at 300 South Buckman Street (Highway 61) in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The museum, along with its research room, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday appointments are available by calling 502-921-0161 during our regular weekday hours. Admission is free. The museum, as part of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization and is classified as a 509(a)2 public charity. Contributions and bequests are deductible under section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code. Page last modified: 10 Apr 2026 . Page URL: bullittcountyhistory.org/bchistory/richardjames-will.html
