Catherine Rucker Turnbull’s Will, 1831, West Feliciana, Louisiana
Less than a year before Catherine Turnbull’s death, she created a will determining her burial wish to be interred in her Inheritance Plantation cemetery with other family members. She identified her six legal heirs: four grown children -Isabella Semple, Sarah Stirling, Walter Turnbull, and Daniel Turnbull; and two grandsons – John Turnbull and John Towles. Each received one portion of her total estate. She included a caveat about the division of her estate “in particular that my slaves be divided in this manner as near as can without dividing families which in no case is to be done if it can be avoided.” She selected as Executors, her son Daniel Turnbull, son-in-law Lewis Stirling, and son-in-law John Towles.
Transcription of Last Will written June 3, 1831, entered for Probate/Succession May 14, 1832, and Recorded August 18, 1834
Last Will and Testament of Mrs Catherine Turnbull decd
May 14th 1832 Nevarietur Jno B Dawson Parish Judge
In the name of God Amen I Catherine Rucker a Native of the State of Virginia and United States of America the Widow & relict of John Turnbull and now a resident of the Parish of West Feliciana and State of Louisiana where I have resided for many years past Commencing under the Jurisdictions of Spain and remaining under the several changes of Government up to the present time in Wedlock with my said husband John Turnbull and since his death as his Surviving Widow being sick in body but of sound and disposing mind and memory have a desire to make my last Will & Testament and to dispose of those worldly effects which I possess and hereby in conformity with that intention do make this my last Will and Testament in conformity with the Laws of Louisiana & known by those laws as the Nuncupative Will under priate[?] And first it is my will and desire that my Executors hereinafter named after my death shall inter my Body in the family Burial Ground on the plantation where I now live with those of my family who have already been deposited there in a decent Christian manner there to remain until the general resurrection having full confidence and belief in the mercy and Justice of Our Savior and the efficacy of his atonement — I further desire that all the property which I possess and Own of whatsoever kind or nature shall be distributed equally among & Between my children and the descendants of such of my children as are deceased according to the respective rights and privileges and after the payment of my Just debts that is to say to my daughter Isabella the Widow of Robert Semple now residing at Pinckneyville in the County of Wilkinson & State of Mississippi One Share to my daughter Sarah the wife of Lewis Stirling residing in this Parish One Share to my Son Walter Turnbull also residing in the Parish One Share To my Son Daniel Turnbull also residing in this Parish One Share to my grand Son John Towles the only child and heir of my late daughter – Susannah – who is now residing with his Father John Towles in the Parish of St. Mary One Share And to my Grandson John Turnbull now residing in this Parish under the guardianship of Lewis Sterling Said Grandson being the child and only Surviving heir of my late son John Turnbull One Share I therefore order that all my property after payment of any just debts shall be divided into Six Equal parts as near as Can be and distributed to my said children and grandchildren in kind without sale in said manner as far as the same can be done without Injury to the property and in particular that my slaves be divided in this manner as near as can be without dividing families which in no case is to be done if it can be avoided — I further name choose and appoint my Son Daniel Turnbull my Son inlaw Lewis Stirling and John Towles the father of my grandson John Towles my true and lawful Executors to carry into effect this, my last Will and Testament in conformity with the true intent and meaning thereof and hereby, make them detainers of my property and give them full seizure and possession of all my property and effects — In witness whereof I have caused this last Will and Testament to be written by John S. Lobdell at my particular request & have detailed the whole to him and understand every part thereof and hereby revoke all other Wills and codicils by me heretofore made and have Signed and executed this will presence of undersigned witnesses all of whom are white free males over the age of Sixteen years and all residents of this Parish they all have signed their names to this Will after first having witnessed the Signature of me the Testator & in my presence and in the presence of each other at one and the Same time – at the Parish of West Feliciana this 3rd day of June 1831
[Signed] Catherine Turnbull Witnesses: A Skillman & Thos R Pinck
[Signed] Jno B Dawson, Parish Judge, Ne varietur
Witnesses:
Thomas Butler Wm Garrett Johnson W H Richardson
Truly Recorded this 18th day of Augt 1834
West Feliciana Parish Clerk Office, book E pages 274-275
