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His tombstone reads; Robert M., - born in Va. Sept. 25, 1772 - died in Mo. Dec. 7, 1857 - settled this land in Feb. A. D. 1819.

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Will of Robert M. Craghead, Callaway Co., MO, Will Book E, page 292

In the name of God amen; I Robert Craghead, Senior of the county of Callaway and State of Missouri, being weak in body, but of sound and disposing mind and memory do make this to be my last will and testament as follows:

First, it is my will and desire that my debt be justly and speedily paid out of any means that I may have died possessed of.

Second, I will and bequeath unto my beloved wife Nancy Craghead during her life all of my estate real, personal and mixed to be used and enjoyed by her at her discretion and will for her comfortable support and maintenance and at her death to be equally divided amongst my children to wit; William Craghead, the heirs of my son Soloman Craghead: Betsey May and the heirs of her body, Robert Craghead, the heirs of John Arthur Craghead deceased, Stephen Craghead, Mary Fisher, Sarah Kemp and Nancy Kemp, share and share alike.

It is my will and desire that my said wife have discretionary power to retain all or any part of my estate bequeathed to her, in her possession free from sale or distribution as long as she may wish or decree it advisable to do so, or at her discretion to make sale of any portion of the slaves or stock which may become troublesome or burdensome to her, or which she may deem advisable to sell, also at her discretion to sell hire out or distribute amongst my children any of the slaves which she may not be able to manage, or may not wish to keep, in case in of her determining to have to divide said slaves to have the division made equal amongst my children. It is also my will and desire, that in case my wife at any time during her life think it proper and advisable to do so, to have an equal division of any or all of my lands, which she may not wish to keep for her own use, may amongst my nine above named children. It is my will that all my children be made equal share and share alike each one having received advancements from me, some more and some less which several amounts are to be accounted for, and taken in upon a final distribution of my estate. The amounts received by each will be seen by an account I hold against them showing the same.

Lastly, I do declare this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking and annulling all other or former wills by me made. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 31st day of January 1850.

Robert Craghead (signed with his mark)

Signed and sealed for the said Robert Craghead being by his direction and in his presence, he not being able to write and his mark affixed thereto by himself in our presence and acknowledged by him to be his last will and testament before us who signed the same as witnesses at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other.

James S. Henderson Charles H. Hardin George Bartley

State of Missouri County of Callaway

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Biographical info contributed by FAG Member,
Ed Bartolacci (#46942485) [email protected]