Was It Just a Signature—Or a Family Clue?
Have you ever paused to wonder why one of your relatives witnessed a specific will? Was it simply a neighborly duty—or something more? That’s the question I asked myself while researching my ancestor William S. Nafus.
In the process, I came across an 1829 will from Seneca County, Ohio, witnessed by both Wm. S. Nafus and Cornelius Nafus. While the will itself—belonging to David Culver—didn’t reveal any direct ties to the Nafus family, it may hold a clue to another branch of my tree: the family of William’s wife, Salome Carpenter.
The will names David Culver’s three sons—Chester, David, and Carpenter—and a daughter, Diana. Although I haven’t been able to find this exact family unit on the FamilySearch tree, several Ancestry trees list Frances Carpenter as the wife of David Culver. That surname immediately caught my attention.
Could Frances Carpenter be related to my Salome Carpenter? Could William S. Nafus have been present at the signing of this will because David Culver was his brother-in-law?
It’s still just a theory—but an intriguing one. I’ve reached out to the owners of those Ancestry trees in hopes that someone might have additional documentation to confirm or refute the connection.
Below is a full transcription of the 1829 will of David Culver of Seneca County, Ohio. Maybe you’ll spot something I missed.
“Seneca, Ohio, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89QK-X96S?view=explore : May 26, 2025), image 184 of 696; Ohio. County Court (Seneca County). Image Group Number: 005865712
Vol. 1 1828-1849 (starts on image 152)
page 3
The Last Will and Testament of David Culver deceased produce
ed at a Court of Common Pleas begun and hold at the Court house
in Tiffen in and for the County of Seneca and State of Ohio on the
third day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and twenty – nine and proven by the testimony
of William S. Nafus and Cornelius Nafus the subscribing wit
nesses to the same – approved by the Court and ordered to
be Recorded
In the name of God , Amen : – I , David Culver of Seneca County
and State of Ohio , being weak in body but of a sound perfect mind and
memory , considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and
being of sound and perfect mind and memory , blessed be al
mighty God for the same , do make and publish this my
last will and testament in manner and form following ( that
is to say ) First : I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Fran
ces Culver all my farming utensils and all my household fur
niture and one third of all my real estate that is to say , all my
lands and truements , ( that is ) First all my legal debts and
charges to be paid out of my estate – I do also give and bequeath
to my Eldest son Chester Culver , his heirs and assigns all my
messuage lands and truements , situate , lying and being in the
County of Seneca and State of Ohio , in township one in Range four
teen in section thirty – four being the South – west quarter of said
Section , containing one hundred and twelve acres , north of the Base
Line – provided that the said Son Chester Culver shall demean and
conduct himself well towards his Mother , and shall continue with
her and occupy the aforesaid farm in order to raise and maintain the family
say his mother , Brother and Sister , and when my youngest
son Carpenter Culver arrives to the age of twenty one years , all
the aforesaid , shall be appraised with all its appurtenances there
to belonging , and if my two sons , David Culver and Carpenter
Culver continues with my Eldest Son Chester Culver and
helps the said Chester Culver to occupy and labour on said farm co
equal then my sons , David Culver and Carpenter Culver I will
they shall have each one a third of the aforesaid appraisal to be
paid by my Eldest son Chester Culver in two years after the afore
said appraisement is done – and if the aforesaid son Chester Culver
declines to comply with the aforesaid conditions then in that case
the said Chester Culver shall submit to one of his brothers to ac
cept of said proposals either of them that enclines so to do , But
if my sons David Culver and Carpenter Culver shall be dis
obedient and not complying with my request , as to stating
together as a family and laboring mutually to gether then
in that case they shall be cut short of the foregoing proposals andpage 4
receive one hundred dollars , only – or if either of them is dis
obedient and not complying with my request , that one shall be cut
short of his equal share and receive only one hundred dollars to
be paid in two years after the appraisement of the aforesaid farm
and the other to receive his equal share according to the first proposals ,
or if my Eldest son Chester Culver should be disobedient and not at
tend to the occupying of the aforesaid farm , to help keep the family togeth
er he shall forfeit his right to the first proposals and receive but one
hundred dollars at the expiration of two years from the aforesaid ap
praisement of said farm , or any or all of them complying with above
requisitions shall have their apportionment as first above stated –
I do also give and bequeath to my only daughter Diana one comand
bed and bedding with such things as is reasonable for the beginning
of Housekeeping – And lastly as to all the rest , residue and remain
der of my personal estate , goods and chattles of what kind and
nature soever I give and bequeath the same to my said beloved wife
Frances Culver whom I appoint my Executrix and John Tingler my
Executor of this my last Will and testament , hereby revoking all for
mer Wills by me made .
In Witness whereof , I have hereunto set my hand and seal the ninth
day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and twenty – nine
David Culver ℗
Signed sealed published and declared
by the above David Culver to be his last Will and
testament , in the presence of us who have hereunto
subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence
of the testator David Culver
Wm B. Nafus
Cornelius Nafus
N. B. all raseing and interlining was done before signing .
And the proof of the foregoing Will , as taken by said Court , on the
date last aforesaid , reads in words and figures following to – wit :
Last Will and testament of David Culver deceased – Personally
came into open Court William S. Nafus and Cornelius Nafus .
the subscribing witnesses to a paper purporting to be the last Will
and testament of David Culver deceased and now here pre
sented to them and being duly sworn in open Court respectively
say that they are the signing witnesses thereto , and that they
and each of them signed said paper at the request of the said
David Culver as witnesses in his presence and that he the said
Culver signed said will in their presence and declared it to
be his last will and testament , that at the time of such signing
the said David Culver was of full age of sound mind and mem
ory and under no restraint whatever .
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court
this 3 ” day of November AD 1829 ⎬
Cornelius Naus
Wm S. Nafus
Joseph Howard Clerk Pro Tem
Recorded this Will to – gether with the proof thereof , January 4 AD ┃
1830 Attest . Joseph Howard Clerk 5 Caption