Index of Rainwater Wills
The will of Aaron Rainwater ca 1790-1849, Logan Co., KY
The will of Alexander Martin Rainwater, 1820-1890, Benton Co., OR
Application for letters of administration for the estate of Annie J. Rainwater, ca 1835-1909, Richmond Co., NC
Probate of the estate of Hugh Rainwater, 1814-1874, Lawrence Co., AR, abstract only
The will of Rev. James Rainwater, 1795-1865, Campbell Co., GA
The will of James Rainwater 1806-1862, Pulaski Co., KY
The probate file of Job Rainwater, ca 1784-1863, Milton Co., GA
The will of John Rainwater ca 1705-1777, Surry Co., NC
The will of John Rainwater, ca 1759/66-ca 1832, Spartanburg District, SC
The will of John Berry Rainwater, 1820-1910, Washington Co., AR
The will of John Wesley Rainwater, 1808-1888, Bedford Co., TN
The probate records of Joseph Rainwater 1824-1873, Wood Co., TX
The will of Josiah W. Rainwater 1843-1934, Wilbarger Co., TX
The guardianship of the minor children of Louisa Moore Rainwater, ca 1825-ca 1876, Hamilton Co., TX
The will of Martha Branham Rainwater, 1820-1904, Hardin Co., KY
The will of Miles Rainwater 1818-1884, Pulaski Co., KY
The estate administration of Robert Rainwater, pre 1775-1824, Stewart Co., TN
The estate administration of Sam Rainwater (AA), ca 1863-1889, Waller Co., TX
Estate Sale of Solomon Rainwater, Sr., ca 1765-1814, Pendleton District, SC
The will of Solomon Rainwater, Jr., ca 1793-1858, Hancock Co, GA
The guardianship of the minor children of Wesley H. Rainwater, 5 May 1865 & 10 Apr 1867, Pulaski Co., AR
The will of William Rainwater ca. 1774-1825, Pulaski Co., KY
The will of William Jasper Rainwater 1823-1887, Washington Co., TX
Will & Probate listings without transcriptions
Sources
Note: some of the tables of preformatted text may not display correctly on a cell phone
Logan Co., KY Wills, Book H pg 72
I, Aaron Rainwater hereby declare this to be my last will and testament; disolving all others heretofore made by me. Article 1 – It is my desire that so much of my present property as may be required for that purpose, shall be sold and the proceeds applied to payment of my just debts and funeral expenses.
Article 2 – I bequeath to Polly Rainwater, my wife, during her natural life, my tract of land with every other species of property belonging to my estate; with all notes, dues and accounts of every description which may at that or any future time, become deed from others.
Article 3 – It is my desire that the property both personal and real, belonging to my estate, shall be sold, soon after the death of my wife, and the proceeds - after paying to Caroline M. Stinson; James C. Rainwater; Parks R. Rainwater; and Fereby (Phoebe) F. Couch; one dollar; - as a special legacy, be divided between Elizabeth E. Rainwater; William C. Rainwater; Mariah A. Rainwater; Mary J. Rainwater; Zilpha I(sabelle) Rainwater and Martha S(usan).
Article 4 – I hereby nominate my friend, Williamson Chapel, executor, of this, my last will and testament. Given
under my hand and seal this 15th day of March 1849.
Aaron Rainwater {seal}
Signed and sealed in the presence of Bedford G. Williams, Asa Hardison
In County Court held for said county, at the courthouse in Russellville on the 28th day of Jan 1850, the above
writing was produced in court. Proved in Open court by the Oaths of Bedford G. Williams and Asa Hardison,
subscribing witnesses thereto to the said deed, and last will and testament of Aaron Rainwaters, deceased,
and ordered to be recorded. Thereupon, said will together with this certificate hath been duly recorded in
my office. Given under my hand and seal as clerk of said court, the date given above.
M. B. Morton, Clerk
Transcription
provided by Glidie Rainwater Mobley.
Scan of original
provided by Denise Shoulders
Benton Co., Oregon, File #0598
I A. Martin Rainwater of the County of Benton, State of Oregon, being of sound mind and memory, do make, publish and declare to following to be my last will and testament:
First: I direct that all of my just debts be paid in full
Second: I give and bequeath to my sons, John R. Rainwater, Daniel W. Rainwater, James W. Rainwater, and Aaron E. Rainwater each the sum of five dollars, I having heretofore advanced to each of them sufficient property to make the portion received by them out of my property equal to the bequests hereafter made to my other children.
Third: I direct that my lands which I now own bring a portion bring a portion of my donation land claim not 697 and claims 61 & 39 in th 11 S R 5 & 4* in Benton County Oregon be divided into five equal parts, in size, division to be made by lines running parallel with the west lines of my dontation land claims and that I bequeath the same as follows:
1st, I give and bequeath to my son Martin Coleman Rainwater the first tract so far partitioned on the west side thereof.
2d, I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Ida B. Reece, the second tract so far partitioned from the west side of said donation claim.
3d, I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Bessie Rainwater, the third tract so far partitioned from the west side of my said donation land claim, subject herein to the life estate of my wife, S. C. Rainwater, as hereinafter provided and bequeathed.
4th, I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Annie M. Stahl, the fourth tract of land so partitioned from the west side of my said donation land claim.
5th, I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Emma J. Morrison, the fifth tract of land so partitioned from the west side of my donation land claim.
Fourth: I give and bequeath unto my wife, S. C. Rainwater, the third tract of land herein above mentioned as bequeathed to (Bessie) Rainwater to have and to hold during her natural life, the same to her in lieu of diverse interest in and to my estate.
Fifth: I bequeath all of the remains of my property both personal and real wherever situated to all of my children, share and share alike.
Sixth: I hereby nominate and appoint my sons-in-law, Fred Stahl and John Reece to be the executors of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the 24th day of December 1889.
A. M. Rainwater {seal}
The foregoing instrument was signed by A. M. Rainwater in our presence and at the same time
declared the same to be his last will and testament and we at this request and in his presence
and in the presence of each other, subscribed our names as witnesses hereunto - that the said
A. M. Rainwater at the time he executed said instrument was of sound and disposing mind and
memory and under no restraint whatever.
Witness our hands to this the 24th day of December 1889.
C. M. Langdon, Albany, Oregon
J. K. Weatherford
PDF of transcription and original
*Note: Tim Wicks observes that the donation land information in the Third section is actually incorrect when compared with the patent information available in the BLM database. The line should read “donation land claim Not(Notice) 697 and claims 61 & 39 in T 11 S R 3W & 4W”. This mistake is in the original will.
North Carolina, Richmond County
In Superior Court, K. D. Grant being sworn, doth say that Annie J. Rainwater, late of said County, is dead
without leaving any will and testament, and that K. D. Grant is the proper person entitled to letters of
administration on the estate of the said Annie J. Rainwater. Further, that the value of said estate,
so far as can be ascertained at the date of this application is about $24, and that Lucy Grant is
entitled as heir and distributee thereof.
K. D. Grant
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 23rd day of December 1909. Thomas L. Covington, Clerk of Superior Court. [1373]
This is Annie J. Bennett Smith Rainwater, widow of James Rainwater. Thanks to Howard Rainwater for a copy of this record
Administrator appointed 9 Apr 1875, Francis Marion Rainwater (son)
Heirs (1875): Francis Marion Rainwater, Riley G. Rainwater, Martha A. Rainwater, Sarah E. Rainwater, Jasper Rainwater, Joseph T. Rainwater, Mary Rainwater Guthrie, Elvira Rainwater Lindley — all of Lawrence County. Sarah Rainwater and [unreadable], the minor children of William Columbus Rainwater, decd., of Kansas.
Heirs (13 Oct 1877): Mary Rainwater Guthrie, Riley G. Rainwater, John J. Cross (husband of Adeline J. Rainwater), Sarah E. Rainwater, Francis Marion Rainwater, Elvira Rainwater Lindley. George Thornburgh as Trustee for Jasper Rainwater, Joseph T. Rainwater, and William Columbus Rainwater’s heirs. [571]
Printable transcription in PDF format
Campbell Co., GA
Georgia Will Book "B" , pages 58-62
State of Georgia, Campbell County. In the name of God, Amen. I, James Rainwater, of said county being of sound and disposing mind and memory but sensibly impressed with the uncertainty of life and being desirous of making some disposition of what property God hath blessed me with do make, ordain, and publish this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking all others heretofore made by me.
Item First. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Nancy A. Rainwater, one hundred and seventy acres of land to wit the west half of the lot of land on which my house where I now reside stands and to include said houses; and seventy five acres of land immediately west and adjoining to said one hundred acres. This I give and bequeath to her for and during her natural life or widowhood.
Item Second. I also give and bequeath to my said wife, Nancy A. Rainwater, the following household furniture: one folding table, one cupboard, one bedstead and one half dozen chairs, with such cooking utensils as may be necessary; also one cow and calf and farming implements for one horse, and also necessary table furniture. The bequests in this second item are given under the same restrictions as in the first item.
Item Third. I also give and bequeath to my said wife all my right, title and interest in two negroes to wit, Morgan and Alsie, and also one bed and furniture with one years provisions; these I give to her and her heirs forever.
Item Fourth. Having heretofore given my daughter, Emily Golightly, one thousand dollars in money and provisions, I hereby confirm the same to her and her heirs forever and I also now give and bequeath to her an equal proportion of my estate with the rest of my children after they have received money and property to the amount of one thousand dollars.
Item Fifth. Having heretofore given my son, Z. Miles Rainwater, deceased, one thousand dollars in money and provisions, I hereby confirm the same. I also now bequeath to his wife, Lilly Ann, and their five children an equal proportion of my estate with the rest of my children after they have received money and property to the amount of one thousand dollars.
Item Sixth. Having heretofore given my son, Joseph Rainwater, one thousand dollars in money, I hereby confirm the same to him and his heirs forever. I also now give and bequeath to him an equal proportion of my estate after the rest of my children shall have received money and property to the amount of one thousand dollars.
Item Seventh. Having heretofore given my daughter, Clary Sanders, four hundred dollars in money and property I hereby confirm the same to her and her heirs forever. I also now give and bequeath to her six hundred dollars and an equal proportion of my estate after the rest of my children shall have received one thousand dollars in property or money.
Item Eighth. Having heretofore given my daughter, Sarah Moseley, four hundred dollars in money, I hereby confirm the same to her and her heirs forever. I also now give and bequeath to her six hundred dollars and an equal proportion of my estate with the rest of my children after they have received money and property to the amount of one thousand dollars.
Item Ninth. Having heretofore given to my daughter, Christina Sanders, three hundred dollars I hereby confirm the same to her and her heirs forever. I now give and bequeath to her and her heirs seven hundred dollars and an equal proportion of my estate after the rest of my children shall receive money or property to the amount of one thousand dollars.
Item Tenth. Having heretofore given to my daughter, Frances Miller, and her three children two hundred dollars, I hereby confirm the same to her and her heirs forever. I also now give and bequeath to her and her heirs eight hundred dollars and an equal proportion of my estate with the rest of my children after they shall have received in money or property the sum of one thousand dollars.
Item Eleventh. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Catharine E. Rainwater, one thousand dollars and an equal proportion of my estate after the rest of my children have received money or property to the amount of one thousand dollars.
Item Twelfth. Having heretofore given my daughter, Martha Segar, one thousand dollars I hereby confirm the same to her and her heirs forever. I now give and bequeath to her an equal proportion of my estate after the rest of my children shall receive money or property to the amount of one thousand dollars.
Item Thirteenth. I do hereby nominate and appoint my son, Joseph Rainwater, and my sons in law, Jessie Moseley, G. H. Sanders, and Pierce Sewell my executors to this last will and testament contained in this and foregoing items.
In testimoney whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this the 10th day of January 1865.
Signed, sealed, and acknowledged and published in our presence and we have witnessed the same at the request of
James Rainwater and have signed and witnessed the same in his presence. Interlined (?) before signed.
James Rainwater, Test.
[Witnesses] G. T. Camp, Abraham Miller, Wiley Steed
Transcribed and contributed by Erin Leongomez
Printable transcription in PDF format
Filed in County Court in 1862, Pulaski Co., KY
Book 6 Page 115
I, James Rainwater of the County of Pulaski and State of Kentucky do make this my last will and testament. I give to my beloved wife, Mary, all my household and kitchen furniture, and all my stock of every description which I may own at the time of my death. Also the use and occupation of my farm during the time she remains my widow, but if my said wife should marry after my death, she is only to have what the statute law of Kentucky provides for widows. I also freely empower my wife to sell any of my stocks she may think to be a surplus, either privately or publically, and loan out the proceeds thereof and the occurring interest thereon she may use for the maintenance of her and my infant children. Likewise, if she should use any of the principal in case of necessity, she is not to be accountable thereafter. I also request my wife to collect all my bonds and notes in hand, and dispose of the money in the same manner that of the proceeds of the sale.
I likewise request my wife to give to each of my five infant children: Mary, Sarah, Amanda, Samantha and Alethia whenever they may have come of age: one feather bed and bed stead, one colt, one cow, two head of sheep and one cow to be as near of equal value as possible. And at the death of my wife, I wish my executors to make sale and conveyance of my land and to expose to sale to the highest bidder all my property, to collect all my debts and distribute the proceeds equally among my children who may survive me, and to the children or heirs of such of my children as may not survive me, to be paid to the [unreadable] the same amounts and proportions that their parents would have been entitled to receive had they or either of them been living at the time of said distribution.
And lastly I appoint my sons, William H. Rainwater and Enoch Rainwater, executors of this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 8th day of March 1859.
James Rainwater
Attested: E.J. Seivers, Isaac Isabell
Printable transcription in PDF format
State of Georgia, Milton County
30 Sept 1863
We do certify upon oath that so far as was produced to us by J. M. and L. D. Rainwater, temporary administrator of Job. Rainwater, late of said county, the foregoing contains a true inventory and appraisement of the Estate of Job Rainwater continued – goods and chattels of said Job Rainwater to be best of our judgment and that we were all duly sworn (one of the commissioners Robert Thompson having duly sworn the other four and then William D. Rucker having sworn him) to perform their duty according to law.
Given under our hands and official signatures this 30th day of September 1863
William D. Rucker, W. J. Lackey, John Chaffin, Robert Thompson, James W. Ridgeway, appraisers
Georgia, Milton County Inventory of the Rights and Credits of Job Rainwater late of said county and state.
Cash on hand 830.00 One note on C. E. Rucker due January 9th 1859 for 200.00 Credited Feb 9, 1860 with $14.00 One note on S. Y. Rainwater due Jan 22nd 1859 200.00 One note on Hampton Smith due Mar 12 1859 for 200.00 Credited Mar 12 1860 with 14.00 One note on J. M. Rainwater due Jan 7 1859 for 200.00 Credited Jan 7 1860 with 14.00 One note on A. D. Gentry due Jan 8 1859 for 200.00 Credited Jan 8 1860 with 14.00 Two notes on L. D. Rainwater One due Jan 7 1859 for 200.00 The other due Dec 25 1863 for 50.00 One note on William McDonald due April 9 1859 for 200.00 One note on P. F. Rainwater due Feb 1st 1860 for 200.00 Credited Feb 27 1861 with 14.00
The above inventory of the rights and credits of Job Rainwater deceased is correct and true to the best of our knowledge this 30th Sept 1863. John M. Rainwater, L. D. Rainwater, Administrators
The final document in the probate file of Job Rainwater is a record of the estate sale, not reproduced here because of length. The sale was held in October 1863. A number of individuals who are probably relations purchased items at auction, including: S. Y. Rainwater, J. L. Hembree, L. D. Rainwater, Hannah Rainwater, P. F. Rainwater, S. B. Rucker, Jod Rucker, J. M. Rucker and G. E. Rucker.
Transcription contributed by William Rainwater
PDF of printable transcription
4 November 1771 Surry County, North Carolina
I, John Rainwater of Surry County, North Carolina, being now in perfect sense and memory, thanks be to God, but yet considering that life and sense is uncertain, do make and ordain this my last will and testament. My soul I recommend unto the hands of God. My body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a Christian manner, and as to my worldly estate, I give, devise, bequest and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
First, I give to my daughters, Mary, Sarah, Betty, Winney, Milley and Molley, to each Five Shillings Prov., money to them and raised out of my estate the same is in full and a bar from their obtaining any more. I give to my son, John, Five Shillings Prov., money to be raised aforesaid, the same is in full and a bar from his obtaining any more unless he should succeed his brother James as Trustee in the management of that part of the estate which I give for support of my wife and son William. I give my plantation and all my land, my negro man Jack and all other of my estate of what kind soever to the whole and sole use, support and maintenance of my wife and son William during their lives, and do hereby will and subject the same into their hands, care and management of my son James, whom I hereby constitute and make Trustee to appropriate the said estate to their sole use, support and maintenance as aforesaid, to them either jointly or single in such way and manner as he the said James shall judge and think the most to their profit and best for their support and comfort. And if any part of the said estate should remain after their decease, my will and intent is that he, the said James, his heirs and assigns, enjoy the same forever. If my son, James, decease before my wife and son William, I will that my son John succeed my said son James in every point as Trustee.
Lastly, I appoint my wife, Mary, Executrix and my sons, John and James, Executors of this my last will to see that all things be performed according to their true intent and meaning thereof. And I hereby disannul and revoke every former will and ratify and confirm this and no othere one to be my last will and testament. In witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 4th day of November 1771.
John {his X mark} Rainwater
Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared in the presence of us.
Jesse Brimp, John {his X mark} Pain
North Carolina, Surry County Court, May 1777
Jesse Brimp, one of the subscribing witnesses to the last will and testament of John Rainwater made oath that he saw the
said John Rainwater publish and declare the same to be his last will and testament; that he was of sound and disposing mind
and memory and that at the same time, he saw John Pain sign the same as a witness and on motion it was ordered to be recorded.
Recorded accordingly, Jo Williams, County Clerk
PNG of original
PDF of transcription and original
State of South Carolina
In the name of God, Amen. I, John Rainwaters of Spartanburg District in the state aforesaid, farmer, being in health of body and of sound mind, memory, and understanding, praised be God, for the same, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following.
1st. I will and divise that I may be decently buried and also that all my just debts be paid.
2nd. I give, bequeath and devise unto my beloved wife Susannah [Bobo] Rainwater all my estate both real and personal of what or nature or kind, [unreadable] at the time of my death, to have and to hold and enjoy the same during her natural life. And at the decease of my wife, my will and devise is that the whole of my estate both real and personal be equally divided among all my children who may then be living to them and their heirs forever, except for my son William Rainwaters, and as I have already advanced him more than his proportional part of my estate. My will and devise is that my executor may pay to him one shilling only.
And I do nominate, constitute and appoint my friend Elisha Bomar and James K. Nance my co-executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all and every other will or wills at any time heretofore by me made, and do declare to be my last will and testament. In writing whereof I do hereunto put my hand and seal the 11th day of July 1825.
Signed sealed and published in the presence of us,
Note in the space where the words friends Elisha Bomar and James K Nance were written were other words which were
crossed out and then inserted, also the word my between Nance and executor intertwined before signed.
John {his X mark} Rainwater
[witnesses] Simpson Bobo, Washington Bomar, Wm Bomar
True Copy of the Sale Bill for the personal property of the Estate of John Rainwater, deceased, Dec. 18, 1833