Here is the Will of Isaac Henderson setting his enslaved people free in 1855.
In the Name of God Amen I Isaac Henderson of the County of Christian and State of Kentucky being of sound mind and disposing memory ordain and publish this as my last will and testament hereby revoking all others
Item1st I desire my Executor to settle up my estate pay all just debts and ledgers
Item 2d I give and bequeath the children and heirs of Westley Henderson fifty dollars
Item 3d I give and bequeath the children and heirs of James Henderson fifty dollars
Item 4th I give and bequeath to my daughter Tilly West and her heirs forever one hundred acres of land adjoining Mr. Seth West and include the particle I now live on
Item 5th It was my intention to set all my Negroes free it is still my will they be free and as I am not privileged to Emancipate them in Kentucky at this time I will that in case they all or any of them agree to go to any of the free states that my Executor take them there at the expence of my estate where they shall be free provided that my Negro Penny works or is hired out to pay my Doctors Bill not exceeding fifty Dollars and in case Joseph & Hannah do not agree to go to a free state I will that they have set apart for them by my Executor about 30 acres of land together with the use of my wagon & horses for their use and that of my daughter Tilly West or they may live with Tilly if they desire it and she has no objection it is my object in giving them the wagon & horses to prevent them from becoming charged to the County and Hannah and Joseph are in that case to remain under the entire control of my Executor when my Executor shall take any or all the Negroes to a free state it is my will that he then gives them their freedom and in case Penny shall have children that they too be free
Item 6th The balance of my estate both real and personal not l---before divided (?) I will and bequeath to my sons John Henderson and Ensley Henderson and my daughters Lucinda Pyle, and Mary Rogers to be equally divided between them and their heirs but that part or portion which falls to my daughter Mary Rogers I give in trust to my Executor for her use and that of her children until the death of John Rogers to be given them as they may need by my Executor I paid about forty seven dollars for Ensley Henderson which my Executor will deduct from his part.
And lastly I appoint my friend George Hurd Executor of this my last will with full power to division of and conveyance of any portion of my land devised herein
In witness where if I Isaac Henderson have hereunto set My hand Seal the 25th day of May 1855
his
Signed Sealed Isaac X Henderson
Mark
And acknowledged
Before us at his bequest
Charles White
Wm A Oliver
State of Kentucky
Christian County Sec I John S Boyan Clerk of Court

Copied from original transcript 0n December 3, 2012 by Terri Ali, daughter of Jesse Gibson, great great grandson of Hannah. Henderson/Gibson Family