Productive Saturday in February

I set my laptop up at the kitchen table this morning and transferred various notes to work on for Blankenship genealogy files.  I've got so many files scattered here and there and way too many with the same info that it took me most of the day to cut and paste what I want into one working document.

Other people have shared a ton of info online so I used some of their data to  begin the piece but will focus my search starting with Zadock (my g.g. grandfather) who was born in 1798.  Zadock married Sarah Jones and had 10 kids.  When she died (probably from having too many kids) he remarried Elizabeth Bolt and had six more kids. My great grandfather, Lewis, is one of these six kids and the one who married Jane Downs.

I won't bore you with the details but I did want to share three wills that were written generations ago as I find them entertaining.

     "Dec 18, 1812, In the name of God Amen I Hudson Blankenship of the County of Campbell

and state of Virginia being of perfect mind of body and memory thanks be to God 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 recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors:  I give demise and dispose of my estate in the following manner and form:  first I give to my beloved wife, Edy Balnkenship, one hundred acres of land to include the house and plantation where I now live and the whole of my household and kitchen furniture also my stock of Horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep and with my plantation utensils.  Also all the money I have due either in notes or account to have and to hold so long as she the Edy Blankenship my wife, shall live and after her decease to be equally divided between my Children.  Also I give the balance of my tract of land not given to my wife to my son, Henry Blankenship, to him and his heirs forever.  Lastly I constitute and appoint Thomas Cook and Archibald Blankenship my executors to this my last will and testament.

 In witness I have set my hand and seal this eighteenth day of December

Eighteen hundred twelve."  Hudson  (X) Blankenship

witnessed by Thomas Baugh, Charles and  Jordon McKinney

Will for Jesse Blankenship

1870, Russell Co., KY, Will

               I, Jesse Blankenship of the County of Russell and the State of Kentucky do hereby make my last Will and testiment.

               First I give and desire that my Daughter Edy George has and hold a certain portion of my lands hereafter designated during her natural lifetime. for her benovelence and kindness toward me in my old and last days. Beginning with a Sycamore Tree standing in the edge of the river between the Boat and foot landing at Blankenship's Ferry and running through to Boyd's line so as to include my dwelling to.

               I furthur desire that out of my Estate all of my just debts and funeral Expenses be paid after my decease and the Balance to belong to my said Daughter Edy George to be sold or manage as she or my Executor here after named may think proper. Lastly I appoint Jo. Ballenger my Executor with my will annexed June 8, 1869

                                                            Jesse X Blankenship   his mark

Will of Ralph Blankenship:

1754 Chesterfield Co., VA

Will bk. 1  Admitted 8 Nov 1754

               In the name of God amen I Ralph Blankinship of Chesterfield being of sick and weak, but of perfect mind and memory do make this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following )  First I give and bequeath my soul to God that gave it in hope of  his acceptance thereof  through the Merritts of Christ my Savior and my body  to the yearth from whence it was taken to be buried by the discresion of my Executor.

Item I give and bequeath to my son, Ephraim the land and plantation he now lives on containing on hundred acres more or less to him and his heirs forever and one shilling sterling.

Item  I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Elizabeth, the plantation I now live on during her natural life or widow hood and after her decease to my son, Jeremiah, and his heirs forever and if Jeremiah should die before he come of age then the land to fall to my son, William and his heirs.

Item  I give to my beloved wife the fether bed and furniture that she call her own to be at her own disposall at her decease.

Item   I give to my son, Francis, one cow and calf.

Item   I give my son, Fredrick, one bed and furniture as it now stands.

Item   I give to Matthew one bed and furniture as it now stands.  My will is that if my son, Fredrick, should die before he be of lawful age that Jeremiah shall have his bed.

Item   I give to my son, John, one shilling sterling.

Item   I give to my son, Ralph, one shill: sterling.

Item   I give to my son, William, one shill: sterling.

Item   My will is that my beloved wife, Elizabeth, shall have possession of and enjoy of all the remainder of my Estate not before given away during her natural life or widowhood and at her death or marriage to be equally divided betwixt Matt, Fredrick, and Jeremiah.

Item   I give to my daughter, Sarah Cobb, one shill.

Item   My will is that my Estate shall not be appraised.  I also appoint my son, William Blankinship, my hole and sole Executor of this my last will revoking and disanulling all wills heretoffore by me made.

 In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 20th day of September 1754.     

               Ralph (X) Blankinship, Jr. Signed sealed and delivered in presence of: Elizabeth (X) Blankenship

               John Ward,William Wilson

My grandson, Hunter, came over to clean my gutters today.  What a job. He had to climb up on the ladder with a bucket of water and soap and then climb down and work his way around the whole house. Sure looks nice, though.

                                                               before and after

 When he finished, we went to the old Albertsons Store (now Haggens) to look it over.  Hunter mowed my front and side lawn while here and only requested a coke and doughnut for pay. I got off easy.  His dad had loaded up the truck for a trip to the dump so him and Hunter were going to do that later.  Jenni was thrilled to finally get their old toilet out of the backyard.

Hunter showed me the old pickup he bought and the cab he's going to put on it.  Also showed me various things he's working on in the garage (which has now become his hangout) He's such a boy!

Took a picture of Jenni's backyard. Looks a lot bigger since they took away the swing set.

My granddaughter, Catie is coming to PA March 21 to be in a craft fair with her mom at a local church.  They make jewelry and hair accessories.  Catie posted a picture on Facebook of where she wants to live.  (a bead shop near her apartment)

Got a phone call a little while ago from Joyce Lee Adams (class of '58). She likes going to the casino sometimes and today she went to the Elwha.  Had $40 in her pocket and was down to 14 cents!  Planned to play the last penny down and go home when she hit a jackpot. Was playing 40 cents a hit and won $271!  Yay!  That's what I  like to hear.