Notes from Randi Richardson The information noted below was transcribed from a copy of handwritten will for John Laboyteaux. The document was located in the Laboyteaux family file at the Owen County Public Library in Spencer, Indiana. There were no other documents in the file. I've added punctuation to the document. There is another family file for Labertew, possibly a spelling variant of Laboyteaux, at the Owen County Library. It contained multiple documents, but I did not review that file. There was no one noted in the Owen County Cemetery Index by the name of Laboyteaux; there is an Asher Labertew noted in the Monroe County Cemetery Index and John Laboyteaux noted a son Asher. Could Asher Labertew and Asher Laboyteaux be one and the same?? WILL OF JOHN LABOYTEAUX I, John (middle initial not legible, possibly G.) Laboyteaux of the County of Owen in the State of Indiana do make and publish this, my last will and testament, in manner and form following, that is to say: First-It is my will that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be fully paid. Second-I give to my grandson, John (middle initial not legible, possibly G.) Laboyteaux, son of Elisha Laboyteaux, my silver watch. Third-I direct my executor to sell my other personal property at public sale and also my real estate consisting of two houses and four lots in the Town of Gosport in the State of Indiana and 80 acres of land lying near Crawfordsville in said state and my railroad stock to be sold in a reasonable time after my decease either at private or public sale for the best interests for the heirs. Fourth-I give and bequeath to my son, Stephen Laboyteaux, one-fifth part of the proceeds of my estate and one hundred dollars in addition thereto and to his heirs. Fifth-I give and bequeath to my son, Elisha Laboyteaux, one-fifth part of the remaining sum and to his heirs. Sixth-I give and bequeath to my daughter, Barsheba Compton, wife of Reuben (middle initial difficult to read, may be S.) Compton, and to her heirs, one equal fifth part after deducting fifty dollars from her share. Seventh-I give and bequeath to my five grandchildren, sons and daughters of my son, Joseph Laboyteaux, deceased, and to their heirs, one-fifth part as aforesaid after deducting the sum of five hundred dollars from their share that I consider has been advanced to their father in land now possessed by them. Eighth-I give and bequeath to my son, Asher Laboyteaux, and to his heirs, one-fifth part as aforesaid provided he shall have satisfactorily accounted to me for certain claims put in his hands for collection in Louisville, Kentucky, for upwards of three hundred dollars. Then in that case, said sum to be deducted from his share. And lastly I hereby constitute and appoint Jefferson Wampler and Wiley Williams executor for this my last will and testament revoking and annulling all former wills by me made and ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of September 1851. Signed by John G. (difficult to read) Laboyteaux (in very feeble script) Witnesses: David Wampler and William Wiatt Proven on October 17, 1853