Family Wills
DANIEL SHAFFER aka JOHN DANIEL SHAFER, Butler County, Ohio, Book 2, page 125 - 126
In the name of God amen. I Daniel SHAFER of Hanover township in the County of Butler in the State of Ohio being weak in body but of sound mind, memory and judgment do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit: First it is my will that my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my estate by my Executor. Second, I give and bequeth unto my beloved wife Magdalene, the farm on which I now live and the proceeds thereof during here natural life and after her decease it is my will that the same be sold and divided among my six sons John SHAFER, Peter SHAFER, Daniel SHAFER, George SHAFER, Michael SHAFER, Joseph SHAFER and my daughter Polly the wife of John ALBRIT share and share alike in both real and personal estate excepting as hereinafter it is divised and bequeathed that is. Third, I give and bequeath unto my daugher Catharine the wife of Alexander FLEMING the one-third of what one of the others gets. Fourth, one third on the same way to be divided among her children share and share alike she being late the wife of Henry GROVER. Fifth, I give and bequeth unto my daughter Hannah formerly the wife of William SMITH the one half of what one of my sons gets and on half more or the same way to be divided among her two children William and Mary share and share alike. Sixth I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Catharina ?one fourth of what one of my sons gets. Seventh, I give and bequeath unto my grandaughter Elizabeth GROVER one third of what one of my sons gets. Eighth I give and bequeath unto James Mcginnes fifty dollars and lastly I do nominate constitute and appoint my friends John MCCLOSKEY Esquire and Ninian BEATY Executors of this my last will and testament, revoking all former wills by me made and acknowledging this and only to be my last will and testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the tenth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two( May 10, 1832)
Daniel (his mark) SHAFER
Will and Testament and that all his request and in his presence the said Mathias COLLINS and Daniel BROSUIS subscribed their names as witnesses thereto and that at the acknowledgement thereof the said Daniel the Testator was of sound and disposing mind, memory and judgement under no restraint and of full age.
Sworn and subscribed in open Court, John RILEY Clerk |
Mathias COLLINS Daniel BROSUIS |
I renounce the probate of the within. James MCCLOSKEY
JAMES FRANCIS HESTER recorded Book 12, pages 302,303, Granville County, NC
I James HESTER of Granville County, State of North Carolina, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, in manner and forms following, to wit: First I leave my beloved wife Tabitha, during her natural life or widowhood, a part of the tract of land I live on to be cutt off, divided, in the following manner, beginning at the old ford on Jonathan Creek and running along the old line (formerly Pinson's line) in a Northerly direction to my back line on Col. ? Smith's land, it being the whole of the land knowned and called the "Pinson Tract" and a part of my original tract of land--also the following named Negroes Mary, George, Will and Nancy and two sorrel mares named Legion and Stocking, the whole of my stock of cattle, hogs and sheep, household and kitchen furniture and plantation tools which may be on hand at my demise. Second, my will and desire is that all my just debts should be paid; for that purpose my executor hereafter named in this my will is directed, impowered and authorized to sell the balance of my land, after the part mentioned in the first clause is laid off for the use of my wife, and also the whole of the balance of my property (if it should be necessary), excepting that part left to my wife - and if that should not be sufficient to pay all my debts, then my executor will proceed to sell so much of the personal and perishable property left to my wife as will be sufficient of such articles as my wife can spare. Third my son William has received from me in advance one corner cupboard, four chairs, one chest, 1 bed and stead and one sow and pigs, valued at the sum of fourteen dollars, which said sum is to be accounted for by him at the division of my estate, which will take place after the death of my wife. Fourth, after the death of my wife, my will and desire is that the whole property left to my wife is to be sold and the money divided equally among my children to wit: William, Reuben, Henry, Paulina, Sally, James and John, to them and their heirs forever. Fifth, I appoint my beloved wife Tabitha HESTER, my sons William and Reuben and my brother Francis HESTER executors to this my last will and testament.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 18th day of October A.D. 1831. Signed sealed and acknowledged in the presence of
Henry N. Daniel James Hester (seal)
Richard H. Richards
Reuben and William Hester qualifying
Be it remembered that I, Jeremiah WILLSON, calling to mind that it is appointed for all men to die and being weak in body but of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this, my last Will and Testament. I do dispose of my worldly estate in the following manner, viz; -
First of all, it is my will that all my just and lawful debts be paid. Second, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, ELIZABETH all my household and kitchen furniture, two cows, one yolk of oxen, one horse and also one sow and six shoats, also thirty acres of the North end of my farm; being 1/2 thereof, together with all ? and buildings thereon during her widowhood, also one small wagon and its harness. All the residue of my personal estate to be sold by my executor to the best advantage. Also, the South end of my farm to be rented annually or for a term of years as may appear most advisable the proceeds of which sale and rent to be put to interest or vested in some available funds well secured until my youngest child becomes of lawful age at which time there may be an equal distribution of this fund amongst the following named children. Namely, ELIZABETH FOSTER, EDITH MILES, HENRY WILLSON, WILLIAM WILLISON, JEREMIAH WILLSON, JOHN WILLSON, AARON WILLSON, REUBEN WILLSON, SAMUEL WILLSON, MILES WILLSON (my eldest son GABRIEL, having received his patrimony or share in eighty acres of land and other property.)
In case my wife should depart from her widowhood, then all the property bequeathe to her, to be sold and the proceeds put to interest as mentioned in a former part of this will. Also, the whole farm may be rented and applied as a foresaid to wit; The real proceeds to be put to interest as aforesaid.
And I wish to have it understood, that the present crop of corn is not to be sold, but left for the benefit of my family.
I hereby appoint and ordain EDWARD MILES and ROBERT HOGGATT executors of this, my last will and Testament ratifying this and no other. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my and and seal this twentieth day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight.
Signed Jeremiah WILLSON
Signed in the presense of Moses HOGGATT and Eliphalet SHATTUCK
JOHN STOVALL Sr., Granville Co, NC, Will Book 1, page 313. LDS Film 4561, Part 3.
In the name of God Amen. I John STOVALL of Granville County, State of North Carolina being of sound and perfect mind and memory. Bless be God. I do this twenty ninth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following. That is to say. First let all my debt be paid. Second, I lend unto my beloved wife during her life in widowhood my land whereon I now live, also four Negroes: viz. Aggy, Anthony, Jacob and Jane, likewise all my household and kitchen furniture, likewise all my stock of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs while she lives a widow. Secondly whenever my wife marries or dies, I give and bequeath my land lent unto her unto my son Drury STOVALL. Thirdly, I give and bequeath to my son Bartholomew STOVALL after my wife's marriage or decrease my Negro Anthony. Fourthly, I give unto my son Josiah STOVAL my negro Aggy, Robin and Hannor of their increase after my wife marries or dies. Fifthly I give and bequeath unto my Son William STOVALL after my wife marries or dies my negro Jacob. Sixthly, I give and bequeath unto my son Drury STOVALL after my wife marries or dies my negro Jane and her increase. Seventhly I give and bequeath unto my three granddaughters, Rebecca STOVALL, Susanna STOVALL, Mary STOVALL, daughters of Thomas STOVALL after my wife marries or dies all of my beds and furniture to be equally divided among them. Eightly, I give and bequeath to my son-in-law Owen GRIFFIN my negro girl named Patt and her increase, my bell mettle, skillet, dutch oven and looking glass. Ninthly, I give and bequeath unto my son Benjamin STOVALL my negro woman Fanny and her increase from this time. Tenthly I give and bequeath unto my grand son John STOVALL son of Thomas STOVALL my negro boy James, likewise my saddle with a horse to be raised out of that part of my estate to be sold. The horse to be worth ten or twelve pounds V. C. to be judged by my executors to be worth that sum in the year one thousand seven hundred seventy four likewise all my wearing apparel. Eleventhly I give and bequeath unto my son in law Aaron PINSON a negro girl named Phillis and her increase from this time. Twelfthly I give and bequeath unto my son in law William POOLE my negro girl name Dilsey and her increase from this time. 13th I give and bequeath unto my son John STOVALL a negro by named Abraham. 14th I give unto my son George STOVALL five shillings Sterling to be raised out of that part of my estate that is to be sold. 15th I give and bequeath unto my son Drury STOVALL my brandy still and the appurtenances. Lastly my will and desire is that after my wife's marriage or death that all the remainder of my estate not already bequeathed to be sold and the money arising from the sale be equally divided between all children except my son George and I hereby constitute and appoint my sons Bartholomew STOVALL, Benjamin STOVALL and Drury STOVALL Executors of this my last will and Testament revoking all other wills by me heretofore made In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my and seal this 29th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one. Signed Sealed and Declared to be the last will and Testament of the Said John STOVALL in presence of us who are in the room with him: Samuel SMITH, William KNIGHT and John YOUNG. Signed John (his mark) STOVALL.
This is the Last Will and Testament of Esq. of John Wilson made this fifteenth day of September, 1871 before xxxxx and William Paddock and W. D. Wier as follows to wit
My wife Mary Wilson to have during her natural life the rents and profits of my real estate and after her death to be divided between my three sons as follows, to wit:
Forty acres off the north side of the north east quarter of section Twenty Township ten, Range ten the same being set apart to my oldest son living Leander Wilson, also
Forty acres of the south side of the same section, township and range as above set apart to James Wilson, my second son.
Also the north half of the south half of the same section, township and range as above set apart to Jeremiah Wilson my third son. Also two acres and a half of the north east corner of the South west quarter of the north west quarter, in section twenty-one, township ten range ten west. Also my request is for my oldest grandchildren to receive from my three sons equally two hundred dollars at their mothers death. There names are as follows Mary XX Wilson, and the second ones name is Edda Alice Wilson daughters of my oldest son Samuel M. Wilson deceased - this money to be paid to the two children when they become twenty-one years of age and to draw six per cent interest after their grandmothers death. And my further request that Leander Wilson and James I Wilson, sell off a sufficient quantity of my personal estate to settle all of my outstanding debts. Further request that they settle the same any expense at court except according to the will, as there is sufficient property to pay all my outstanding debts. Further than I am at this time in my right mind and that my mind is sound and clear this my last will and testament.
Signed in the presence of W. D. Wier, William Paddock & XXXX
/s/ John Wilson.
State of Indiana, Vigo County
Be it remembered that on the 18th day of October, 1871 that XXXX on of the subscribing witnesses of the written and foregoing Last Will and Testament of John Wilson late of the said county deceased personally appeared before the Clerk of the Court of Common Please of Vigo County in the State of Indiana and being duly sworn by the Clerk of said Court upon his Oath declared and testified as follows that is to say that on the fifteenth day of September 1871 he sway the said John Wilson sign his name to said instrument in writing as and for his last will and testament and that this depxxx at the same time heard the said John Wilson declare the said instrument in writing to be his last will and testament and that the said instrument of writing was at the same time at the request of the said John Wilson and with his consent attested and subscribed by the said Franz Fried and William Paddock and W. D. Wier in the presence of the said testator and in the presence of each other as subscribing witnesses xxxxxx and that the said John Wilson was at the time of the signing and subscribing of the said instrument in writing as aforesaid of full age that is more than twenty one years of age and of sound and disposing mind and memory and not under any coercion or restraint as the said deposed duly believes and further deposed says not.
s/s Franz Fried
Sworn and subscribed by the said Franz Fried before the clerk of said court at Terre Haute the 18th day of October 1871. In attestation whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and office of the said court. Martin Hollinger, Clerk
State of Indiana, County of Vigo
The Clerk of the Court of Common Please of Vigo County Indiana do hereby certify that the written and Last Will and Testament of John Wilson has been duly admitted to probate and duly proved by the testimony of Franz Fried one of the subscribing witnesses. Witnesseth that a complete record of said will and the testimony of the said France Fried is proof thereof has been by and duly made and recorded in Book __, pages 77 and 78 of the Record of Wills of said County.
In attestation whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the Court at Terre Haute this 18th day of October 1871.
PETER SHAFFER/SHAFER aka DANIEL O.H.P, & D.O.H.P. - Recorded Will Book A, page 59, Office of the Circuit Clerk, Jefferson County, IL
State of Illinois
Jefferson County
To all, whom this presents come greeting. Should it please the Lord to remove me from this world I wish the following to be my will and Testament, first I bequeath to my wife Clarinda SHAFFER (after all just debts and funeral expenses are paid) one-third of all personal property and also give her the sole control of all my personal and real Estate so long as she remains single or my widow, in case however she wishes to marry again, then I authorize my special executor to proceed and have all the personal property appraised and sold giving my wife Clarinda SHAFFER the option of taking her part in money after the expenses are paid, the remainder to be collected by the executors and loaned at interest for the benefit of my present children (viz.) Martin S. SHAFFER, Peter D. SHAFFER, Stephen A. D. SHAFFER, Charles A. SHAFFER, and John O. SHAFFER and Eliza E. SHAFFER all my lawful heirs and in case either of the above-named heirs die before attaining majority then the surviving heirs to have the share equally divided….I further bequeath the real estate (viz.) NWSW Sec 2, Town. 2S, R1E containing 30 acres more or less also NW 1/4 of NE 1/4 of Sec. 11, T3S, R1E and SE 1/4 SE 1/4 Sec. 3, T3S, R1E and SWSE 1/4 Sec 3, T3S, R1E all in Jefferson County, Illinois. To be retained and kept from sale until my youngest child becomes of lawful age (and the proceeds to go to maintain the family) and then to be sold and the proceeds to be equally divided between the above named heirs. Also it is my wish that my wife Clarinda SHAFFER pay to my former heirs one dollar each (to wit) William SHAFFER, Alice SHAFFER, Perry SHAFFER, Ann MOSS, Jane JOY and Phebe E. JAMES… and now my wife Clarinda SHAFFER is to pay all the necessary charges and debts that my come against the estate and now if my wife Clarinda SHAFFER carries this will into Effect and remains in creature with my name and singles then my Special Executor is not to interfere. Otherwise I empower him to proceed to carry out my instructions in this will. And now I hereby appoint Mr. Thos. B. Lacey my Special Executor and authorize him to act as such and see that the provisions of this will is carried into effect. Done this 28th day of June A.D. 1871.
Attest: William Goodaker, Thomas B. Lacey
Peter X(his mark) Shaffer.
WILLIAM STOVALL Granville County, NC, Will Book 5, Pages 301-302 dated 29 Nov 1802, proved Feb 1803. (Abstract), LDS Film No. 4761
WILLIAM STOVALL wills to wife SARAH for life 3 negroes, 108 acres of land to be divided so as to take in 39 acres of "woodlen" land that lies on the south side of Jonathan Creek then if not enough the balance must be taken from the north side lining the plantation, and 1/3rd of stock. To daughter Elizabeth HESTER, land whereon I now live by estimation 100 acres, feather bed and furniture, sorrel mare, cow and calf and one yearling. Daughter, Mary STOVALL, that part of land lent to my wife during life - she to take possession at death of my wife, bed and furniture, one beast to be bought by money raised our to my estate. Daughter, Tabitha STOVALL, 108 acres of land in body northwards from my home so as to take in the land along the foot of the mountain, down to Aaron PINSON's, one negro, one feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf, one beast to be bought out of money raised out of my estate to value 20 pounds. To son John STOVALL, 101 acres of land to be laid off at the lower part of my tract so as to take in part of the plantation, one feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf, one bay mare that he has in his possession. To daughter Margaret STOVALL, the land that I bought, cotton now lying in Virginia, 187 acres more or less, one beast to be bought out of the money to be raised out of my estate to the value of 20 pounds, on feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf. At death of wife, all of estate except land given to daughter Mary to be equally divided among my five children to wit: Elizabeth, Mary, Tabitha, John, and Margaret Stovall. Signed William Stovall. Witnesses: John GRAVES, Wm. KNIGHT, James BOSWELL.
Will of Margaret (Margit) Isom, Jefferson County, IL 1838
In the name of god amen I MARGIT ISOM of the County of Jefferson and State of Illinois being not well in body but of perfect mind and memory calling to mind that mortality of my body, and knowing it is appointed to all weoman wonce to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in the form and manner following, to wit:
First, I will that all my just debts be paid.
Secnt I give unto my grandson JOHN ISOM the cow called Hart and her increase and the black coalt cauled Nell, and my bed and bed clothes. I give him all the intrist that I have to the improvement that I perched from JOHN ISOM.
Thirdly I give to my granddaughter MARTHA ISOM one cow by the name of Glop and all of her increase and the coalt belonging to the mare that John Isom bought and the corn that is coming EDMON ? FOSTER to JOHN and MARTHA ISOM for their support this year.
Forthley I give to MATTILDA ISOM one cow by the name of Cleary and her increase hearafter to be eaqual devided between her brothers and sisters.
Fifthley, I wish MATTHEW KIRKE to be satisfyd with what he hands.
Sixthly I wish RICHARD ISOM to be satisfyd with what he has in his hands.
Seventhly the note that I hold on GEORGE ROWLAND to be equally divided between EDMON ISOM, WILLIAM ISOM, JOHN ISOM and MARY WILLIAMS after paying the expences of going after the money.
Eightley the gray mare Called diner and all of my house hold and kitchen firniture to be sold and the money arising from said salil to be equalle divided BETWEEN EDMON ISOM, WILLIAM ISOM, JOHN ISOM and MARY WILLIAMS.
Ninthly I give to my daughter JANE POWEL one dollar.
I also constitut and appoint DRURY TOMSON my executor to this last will and testament. I also disannul all other wills heare to fore by me maide in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 3 day of January 1833.
Witness Margit (her mark) Isom (seal)
John Linch
Mildred Linch
Box 2, Jefferson County, IL Probate Records, 1838. Margaret Isom died 27 Oct 1838.
© 2000 Kay S. Diekemper
Updated 12/31/02