BEGATS AND BEQUEATHALS

In a posting I made in August 2021 about Benjamin Benton Hollingsworth (abt. 1785 – 1844), son of Jacob Hollingsworth and Mary Brooks, I did not have access to Benjamin’s probate record filed in Rusk County, Texas, Probate Record Bk. F, pp. 669-677. I have now copied and read through that probate file, and have added to the posting I’ve just linked a copy of William Clark Kelly’s 15 December 1858 petition in Rusk County for probate of Benjamin B. Hollingsworth’s estate. As the posting I’ve just linked explains, Benjamin died testate in Benton County, Alabama, with a will dated 1 May 1841. This will is filed in Calhoun County, Alabama, which was formed from Benton County after Benjamin’s death. Benjamin died in Benton County on 18 August 1844. His widow and executrix Joicy Jones Hollingsworth moved to Rusk County, Texas, in December 1845, and died there 6 August 1858. Since she died holding property Benjamin’s will back in Alabama left in her hands, a settlement of Benjamin B. Hollingsworth’s estate also took place in Rusk County, Texas, hence the probate records found there, which include information about the dates of Benjamin and Joicy’s death and another copy of his Benton County, Alabama, will.