What Price Confederacy?

In the name of God, Amen, I, John A Trigg of Cooper County, Missouri, being of sound mind and memory but admonished by my failing health, that I am liable at almost anytime to die suddenly and at most can live but a few years, do therefore make this last will and testament.

And in the first place I desire the payment of all my just debts.

Secondly, I give my wife Amanda J Trigg after my debts are paid one third of my real and personal estate absolutely.

Third, I give to my son Abram Trigg, $500.

Fourthly, to my daughter Mary R Wallace, I give the sum of $400, but her husband has been a rebel against this government, I desire that this small amount shall be invested and so managed that my said daughter shall alone receive the benefit of it during their joint lives, and in no event to be subject to the payment of his debts.

Fifthly, I give to my daughter in law Mary Frances the wife of my son William the sum of $200, this sum is to be subject to her own control and management.

Sixthly, as all the children of my first wife inherited from their grandfather Wyatt Bingham a right pretty estate, and which like all other fools they have done all in their power to destroy by the acts of treason and disloyalty to their Government (the best ever established among men) and for the further reason that my three oldest sons, William, Bingham and John have been willfully disobedient and unmindful of my best counsel and advice and have sought and followed the advice and counsel of evil, wicked and traitorously affected persons and they thereby destroyed more than half of my estate, I do therefore and for these reasons, give to said sons William and John each the sum of $1.00 and to Bingham the sum of 10 cents, which is all I intend for them to have of my estate.

Seventhly, I give to my daughter Dotia Ann and my son Abner each one third of the remainder of my estate with my blessings and prayers, that they may increase it honestly and use it wisely and that they may never in their bosoms give shelter to a single thought at war with the union of the states.

Eighthly, I have one request to make to those who may have the disposition of my body, after death, I have long observed with pain and regret the pride and pomp displayed on funeral occasions, sometimes almost to the impoverishment of the living, I want none of it, but direct that my body be interred in the cheapest, plainest and quietest way, let a plain block of native marble, limestone mark the spot with my name out on it and the words “He loved his whole Country” and lastly I have hereby constituted by wife Amanda H Trigg executrix of my last will and testament.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed my seal this 25th day of Sept. 1865.

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