More About Astorians 359 P. Hunt; having in cultivation one hundred acres of it when he died. Jones died in June, 1835, from cholera, leaving his widow, Margaret, who died in May, 1837, and five child- ren : Elvira, Melinda, Ramsey Crooks, Wilson Hunt and William Arbuckle Jones. The three boys were minors and their father's intimate friend, Wilson Price Hunt, was appointed their guardian. The inventory of Jones' estate shows that he left a considerable fortune for that day, including fourteen slaves, a library of fifty-four books, a pleasure carriage and two well matched roan horses, live stock, farming implements and considerable real estate. He requested that the slaves bequeathed to his children should never be sold by them or their heirs "under any pretence what- ever." Jones made provision in his will for the education of his children. 30 30 In the name of God — Amen. I Benjamin Jones, of the county of St. Louis in the State of Missouri, being in feeble health of Body, but of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make, declare and publish, this to be my Last will and Testament, hereby revoking and declaring null and void, all former wills by me made. First — I give and bequeath, to my well beloved wife, Margaret Jones, all my Estate, real, personal and mixed, during her natural life, — excepting therefrom the Legacies to Rowena Robinson and Jane Kirker, hereinafter mentioned, and my Lot of ground in the Town of Carondelet, State aforesaid, which I give and be- queath to my wife, & to her Heirs and assigns forever. And it is especially my will and desire, that my wife shall take possession of all my estate, upon my decease, with as little delay and formality as possible, — and that she shall continue to reside upon my Home place, & conduct the farming, and other business, in which I am now engaged, with as little change as possible. Secondly — At the death of my wife, it is my will that the follow- ing distribution, or appointment, of my Estate shall be made — to wit: — To my sons Ramsey Crooks Jones and Wilson Hunt Jones, and to their heirs and assigns, I give and bequeath forever, my pre-emption right to a half quarter section of Land, which I bought of James Hutchinson & which is situate upon the matice, — also my half quarter section of Land near Wolf's, and my fractional quarter section of Land adjoining the Home tract, all of which Lands are in the county of St. Louis aforesaid, and shall be equally divided between my said two sons — To my son William Arbuckle Jones, & to his Heirs and assigns, I give and bequeath forever, my Home Tract, being one quarter section — Lastly — All my slaves and their future increase, (except a negro girl, for the use of Rowena, & the Boy Jerry), shall be equally divided amongst my surviving children, or the Heirs of their bodies, — provided nevertheless, that my Daughters shall be entitled to one slave each, more than my sons. — Thirdly — It is my will and pleasure that my step-daughter Rowena Robinson, shall have the use and benefit of one negro girl, during her life, and that the said
