Thwarted in Death

Let’s set the scene: John Pargin, feeling a bit under the weather (and perhaps sensing the Grim Reaper lurking nearby), wrote his Will on March 11, 1821. He didn’t know it, but he was about to become a local celebrity—the first person to have a Will filed in the brand-new County of Lawrence. Not exactly the kind of “first” most people aim for, but hey, history is history.

In his Will, John assured everyone he was still of sound mind, though his body was apparently less enthusiastic. He named his wife, Cossier Pargin, as one of his executors—a bold move in an era when most men thought women’s business expertise ended at pie crusts. But John was practical (and probably knew who really ran the household).

The bequests? Oh, they were classic:

• To his son Peter: a young sorrel mare, a rifle, and a steel trap. Clearly, Peter was set for a life of adventure—or at least well-equipped to chase squirrels and outlaws.

• To his daughter Nancy: the old sorrel mare and a cow. Not quite as glamorous, but hey, a cow is a cow. (Let’s hope Nancy was a fan of dairy.)

• To his three youngest, Polly, John, and Jacob: one hundred dollars’ worth of land each. Because nothing says “I love you” like a patch of dirt.

The rest of the estate? All for Cossier—but only as long as she remained a “widder.” If she remarried, the kids got the leftovers. (A not-so-subtle nudge from beyond the grave: “Don’t rush into anything, dear.”)

After signing with his mark (“x”—the original minimalist signature), John departed this world. Cossier took charge, Peter rode off into the sunset with his new gear, and Nancy presumably tried to look happy with her slightly used horse and her cow.

But the real twist?  Mrs. Pargin? Cossier did not remain in the state of ‘widderhood’ for a great length of time. About a year later, the ‘widder’ Crossier Pargin became Mrs. Casiah Barney on July 3, 1822 and John's desire that she never love another was . . .thwarted. Oh Well.