Trumbull and Mahoning Counties, Ohio

Will of David Vestal, 1784

I David Vestal of the Township of Youngstown, County of Mahoning, and State of Ohio, do hereby make and publish this my last will and testament. First,
I give and divise unto my wife, ellen Vestal, eo enjoy and use during her lifetime, the house and farm upon which I now reside. I also give to her the right to use and occupy all my household goods, and the use and profits of all my chattels and personal property remaining after the payment of my debots as hereingafter provided during her lifetime.
SECOND,
On the decease of my wife and one the termination of her life-estate in said house and farm and in said personal property, it is my wish that said property be divided between my tow sons, Henry and John in the following manner and proportions to wit: if they shall choose to sell the said farm and personalty, then the proceeds arising from such sale are to be divided between them so that Johnshall have one thousand dollars ($1000) more than Henry. But if my sons or either one of them should prefer to retain said house and farm and other property rather than suffer the same to be sold, then after having divided the personal property (if any there be) equally between them, they shall divide the said farm into two separate tracts in such manner and proportions that one tract shall at the time of dividing, be worth one thousand dollars more than the other one and the tract so set off as being worth one thousand dollars more than the other one is to belong to John and the other tract to Henry.
I hereby appoint as the Executor of this my last Will and testament christopher Kincaid, conferring upon him full power and authority to perform all acts necessary and proper for the full and complete settlement of my estate: to sell either at private or public sale whatever personal property belonging to the estate it may be by him deemed necessary to sell inorder tpay all the debts of the estate and all costs and expenses incurred in the course of the administration and settlement of my affairs and in case the proceeds arising from such sale or sales for the purpose aforesaid shall be insufficient, then I authorize and empower him my said Executor without apraisement and at private or public sale, and upon such terms and consitions as may seem best to him, to sell such a portion and quantity of the real estate mentionedaforesaid, as shall in his opinion be necessary to discharge the balance of said debts and expenses and to execute and deliver as Executor deeds of conveyance of the lands so sold to the purchaser or purchasers thereof.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this 23rd day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy four.
David Vestal (X) his mark
Signed in presence of Charles R. Trusdale
Cecil D. HIne