In the name of God Amen, I Ezra Grover of Meigs County and State of Ohio Farmer being weak in body but sound and perfect memory and mind thanks to Almighty God for the Same, but calling to mind the uncertainty of this mortal life that it is appointed to all men once to die to make this my last will and testament hereby revoking all others.
First I recommend my soul to God and my body to the earth to be buried in a christian like manner at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named in full hope of a joyful resurrection and salvation through the merits of my Savior Jesus Christ.
In as touching such wordly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with I give and dispose of the same in the following manner.
I Will, that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my estate. I do hereby give unto my beloved wife Hannah Grover the one half of all my estate real and personal with the following exceptions that is, to wit, one acre of land on the half lot owned by me in Range eleven Town three sections seven and thirteen - I give to the Methodist Episcopal Church forever to be occupied by them whereon to build a meeting house or place of worship to bury their dead to be selected as the sight by the preacher in charge of Chester circuit on the rising ground from the river where he may judge most suitable for the purpose.
Also, one lot one hundred acres in Town two range eleven sections twelve and eighteen N [deg] 160. I give unto Ezra G. Lauck thereon M. Lauck his brother to be equally divided between the according to quality after the death of my natural mother Mary GROVER previous to which time of her death the premises may be occupied by them at an annual rent of twenty four dollars to be paid to my executor for the use and benefit of my said natural mother.
The remainder of the before named half of my estate after the before named deductions is to be the entire property of my beloved wife to be disposed of and used by her at her own will and discretion.
The half lot numbered as the one from which the bequest was made from to the Church I give and bequeath to Isaac A. Lauck under the consideration that should my mother need aid and support he shall in view of the above bequest assist her as he may have ability.
{note from transcriber here--the spelling for Lauck changes in every sentence]
The other half of my real and personal estate I loan to Ruth Lauk, widow of Philip Lak deceased during her natural life, after which whatever may remain I give and bequeath unto Mary A. Lauck, Hannah Lauk, and Elizabeth Lauk to be equally divided and shared among them these above named daughters of Ruth Lauk and in case any of the before named girls should die without lawful issue then the portion of the said deceased shall be given without default to the Treasurer of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States of America for the use and benefit of the Missionary Society and said Church. I do hereby request and desire all who may be concerned in sharing my estate that they do the same in peace, love and good will without any suit at law or the like.
And lastly, I do hereby appoint and nominate Isaac A. Lauk Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and declaring all others null and void whatever by me heretofore made declaring this and only this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty second day of December, one thousand eight hundred and thirty four.
signed, sealed, published and pronounced and declared by the testate Ezra Grover as and for his last Will and Testament in our presence who in his presence subscribed the as witnesses
Saml P. Shaw
Elias W. Browning
Isaac Kelterman
The State of Ohio, Meigs County
I do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the last Will and Testament of Ezra Grover dec as presented in Open Court at the March Term thereof ASE 1835 and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court by the oaths of Samuel P. Shaw and Elias W. Browning two of the subscribing witnesses thereto that the said Ezra Grover at the time of executing said Will was of full age of sound mind and memory that under restraint that they saw the testator sign the same and that they subscribed their names to said Will as Witnesses in the presence of the said testator. It was ordered that said will with the proof thereof be recorded.
Probate of Will
Be it remembered that on the 19th day of June A.D. 1893, an instrument of writing purporting to be the last Will of James Nesbitt late of Lee Township, in this County, deceased, was produced in open Court for Probate, and it is now ordered that the said Will be filed, and that due notice thereof an of the application to admit the same to Probate and record be given, in writing there being no widow to all the next of kin of the testator, resident of the State of Ohio, five days prior thereto, that said application will be for hearing before this Court, on the 14 day of July A.D. 1893, at 10 o’clock am.
Hearing
And Afterward to wit: on the 14th day of July AD 1893, it now appearing to the Court, that due notice of the filing of said Will and of the application to admit the same to Probate and record has been given to the widow and all the next of kin of the testator, resident of this State, pursuant to the former order of this Court. Thereupon came John Morrow one of the subscribing witnesses, the other witness A. R. Bridgeman being deceased, to said Will, who was duly sworn and examined according to law, and his testimony being received to writing, was subscribed by him and filed.
In the name of the Benevolent Father of all I James Nesbitt of the County of Monroe and State of Ohio being of a Sound and disposing mind and memory do make execute and publish and declare this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me heretofore made:
Item First
It is my will that all of my just debts may be fully paid out of my estate.
Item Second
Being desirous that my children who now reside with me shall have a house while they live and occupy the Homestead. It is therefore my will that my said children to wit, Susan M. Nesbitt, James D. Nesbitt, Eva M. Nesbitt, Dora A. Nesbitt, Margaret S. Nesbitt, shall have the full use and the benefit and profits of all my real estate with all the Buildings and appurtenances thereunto belonging during all the time that they my said children shall use and occupy the same as a Homestead, and if at any time after my decease any one or more of my said children above named shall either die or remove therefrom and cease to occupy the same as[illegible word] to the others remaining thereon and occupying the same shall still have the full use of the aforesaid Real Estate and Homestead during the time they or any of them may chose so to do: “Except so much of my home farm as I give and devise to my son James D.”
Item Third
I give and devise to my beloved son James D. Nesbitt that part of my home farm bounded and described as follows to wit
Beginning at the corner of section no 33 thence south 144 rods on the section line Thence about 4 rods to the public road Thence with the public road in an easterly course to a stone in the [illegible word] Thence then 2 ½ [illegible word] rods to a stone in the section line Thence west with the section line 64 rods to the beginning supposed to contain 55 acres more or less, to have and to hold the same in fee simple forever.
Item Fourth
It is my will that after my children aforesaid shall no longer occupy and use the aforesaid Real estate and the appurtenance as a Homestead, and as such Homestead shall be abandoned by each and all of them; then it is my will that the said real estate may be sold and the proceeds of such sale equally divided between my [illegible word] children to wit: Mattie Wells, Elizabeth Richardson, Susan M. Nesbitt, Margaret S. Nesbitt, [illegible name] Theis, James D. Nesbitt, Eva A. Nesbitt, Jonathan P. Nesbitt, Dora A. Nesbitt share and share alike;
Item Fifth
It is my will that all the household and kitchen furniture, farming implements, cattle, horses, sheep and hogs not necessary to be sold to pay my just debts shall be and remain on my farm aforesaid in the case and custody and for the use of my said children Susan M. , James D., Eva A., Dora A. and Margaret S. Such at any time it may be used best my children aforesaid may sell the same or any part thereof and have the proceeds thereof.
Item Sixth
I hereby nominate and appoint my beloved son James D. Nesbitt and my beloved daughter Susan M. Nesbitt executors of this my last will and testament and hereby direct that they shall not be requested to give bond, as such, nor shall appraisement be made of my personal estate.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirtieth day of August AD 1890.
Jas Nesbitt
The Above and foregoing instrument was at the date thereof signed sealed published and declared by the said James Nesbitt as and for his last will and testament in presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have signed and subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
John Morrow Sardis, O
A. R. Bridge man Sardis, O
Testimony of Witness
The State of Ohio
Monroe County
In the matter of proving the instrument of writing, purporting to be the last will and testament of James Nesbitt late of Lee township, Monroe County, Ohio deceased.
Personally appeared in open Court, John Morrow one of the subscribing witnesses to said instrument and being by me first duly sworn, according to law, in answer to the following minterrog.....purported...to him by the Court, and doth depose and say a follows:
Question 1
Did you sign that instrument, and if so is that your signature? Having to the witness the paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of James Nesbitt deceased, and earing date the 20 day of August AD 1890,
Answer
It is, Yes Sir.
Question 2
Were you present at the execution of the instrument now shown to you?
Answer
Yes Sir.
Question 3
Did you see the said James Nesbitt now deceased sign said instrument
Answer
Yes Sir
Question 5
Did you hear James Nesbitt now deceased, acknowledge this instrument to be his last Will and Testament?
Answer
Yes Sir
Question 6
Who requested you to sign your name as a witness?
Answer
James Nesbitt the testrtix.
Question 7
Did you sign the same in the presence of the said James Nesbitt now deceased.
Answer
Yes Sir
Question 8
Was the decedent, at the time of his signing this instrument, upwards of twenty-one years of age.
Answer
Yes Sir
Question 9
Was the decedent, in your opinion, at the time of his signing said instrument, of sound an disposing mind and memory?
Answer
He was.
Question 10
Was the said deceased, at the time of his so executing this instrument, under any undue influence or restraint?
Answer
No Sir.
Question 11
Who is the other witness to that instrument?
Answer
A. R. Bridgeman.
Question 12
Is A. R. Bridgeman the other subscribing witness living now.
Answer
No Sir he is dead.
Question 13
Did you see A. R. Bridgeman sign that will as a witness.
Answer
I did.
John Morrow
subscribed and sworn to in open Court this 14 day of July AD 1893.
[illegible name] Hamilton Probate Judge
Probate
And afterward to wit: on the 14th day of July AD 1893 Whereupon the Court finds that the said will was duly executed and attested, and that the said testator, at the time of signing the same, was of lawful age of sound mind and memory, and not under undue restraint, the Court now admits the said will to probate and orders the same together with the testimony so taken, entered of record in accordance with the statute.
The State of Ohio
Monroe County
[illegible name] Hamilton Judge of the Probate Court within and for said County of Monroe hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct record of the last Will and Testament of James Nesbitt deceased. Together with the testimony to prove the same and the entry of the Probate thereof as the same remain on file and on record in this court.
M[illgible name] Hamilton
Probate Judge.
I, James Richards, being of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, do make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament.
My will is first that my funeral charges and Just debts shall be paid by my executors hereinafter named as soon after my decease as amy be convenient.
The residue of my estate and property which shall not be required for the payment of my just debts, funeral charges, and the expenses attending the execution of this my will and the administration of my estate, I give, devise and dispose thereof as follows, to wit:
I give and devise to my dear wife, Mary Richards, for and during the term of her natural life the unidvided one half of lot no. (181) one hundred and eighty one, lying and being situate on John street in East Wheeling in the City of Wheeling, State of Virginia, it being a portion of the same property mentioned and devised in the will of Mary Richards decd. which said will bears date June 21, 1842 and which is of reocrd in the Clerks Office of Ohio County in Will Book no. 3 folio 226. And from and after the decease of my said wife Mary Richards, it is my will that the same go to my children and their heirs forever.
And I give an bequeath unto my dear wife Mary Richards, so long as she continues to be my widow, that certain property lying and being situate on Boggs Run and on which my family reside and which is known as the home property, containing about one acre and three quarters of an acre giving her full power and authority to dispose of the same, should it be necessary in her opinion for the purpose of sustainging and supporting herself, and family but in the event of my said wifes intermarriage then it is my will that the same shall go to my children and to their heirs forever.
And as to all the rest and residue of my personal and real estate and effects, not before herein mentioned, and which shall remain after the payments of my debts and funeral expenses and the expenses attending the execution of this my last will and testament. I give and bequeath the same to my dear wife Mary Richards and her heirs forever.
And I do hereby nominate and appoint my James M. Dillon and William Exley to be the Executors of this my last will and testament. And I do hereby revoke and make void all other former and otherwills by me at any time or times heretofore made. and do hereby declare these presents to be and contain my last will and testament and testament.
In witness whereof I, the said testator James Richards, have to this my said last will, set my hand and seal this 21' day of July A.D. 1857. James Richards
signed, sealed, published and declared, by the testator James Richards as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who, in his presence, at his request, and in the presence of each other, have hereunto signed our names as witnesses.
James M. DillonVirginia, Ohio County Court
September Term, 1857
The last will and testament of James Richards deceased, was this day produced in Court fro probat whereupon the same being proved according to law by the oaths of James M. Dillon and John F. Thompson, the subscribing witnesses thereto, who were duly sworn in open Court, is ordered to be recorded as and for the last will and testament of David Richards, deceased.
In the name of god Amen: I Mary Richards of the City of Wheeling County of Ohio in the State of Virginia, being weak in body but of disposing mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say:
First: I give devise and bequeath to my husband James Richards for and during his natural life and no longer all my real estate consisting of one Lot of ground situate in East Wheeling & numbered ________ ___ as No____ in Square ___ Also I give devise and bequeath to my said husband for and during the period of his natural life aforesaid all the privileges tenements and appurtenances to said Lot belonging or appertaining:
Second: After the decease of my said husband I give devise and bequeath the said Lot and tenements hereditary privileges & appurtenances to the same belonging to my son James Richards and my daughter Mary Richards the wife of David Richards to be held enjoyed & possessed by them jointly: to have and to hold to my said Son and daughter said Lot with its tenements hereditary privileges and appurtenances to them their heirs and assigns to the only proper use and behoof of them and their heirs and assigns forever.
Third: I give and devise to my grandchildren Lucy Hogg Hannah Hogg Elizabeth Hogg Sarah Jane Hogg Adaline Hogg & George Hogg children of George & Sarah Hogg. And George Thatcher Asa Thatcher & Mary Thatcher children of Jonas and Adeline Thatcher each give dollars to be paid out of my personal estate by my Executors herein after named.
Fourth: it is my desire that out of a certain debt coming to me from George Hogg my Medical bill and all my funeral expenses shall be paid and discharged.
Lastly I do hereby nominate Constitute & appoint my son James Richards and my Son in Law David Richards Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking and annulling all former wills by me at any time made and declaring this a none other to be my last will and testament.
In confirmation whereof I hereto set my hand and seal this 21st day of June one thousand eight hundred and forty two.
I, Daisy C. Richardson, of New Martinsville, Wetzel County, West Virginia, do hereby make publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time heretofore made:
ITEM FIRST: -I give, devise and bequeath unto my beloved brother Homer, C. Richardson, absolutely, all my estate and effects, both real and personal, wheresoever situated.
ITEM SECOND: - I nominate, constitute and appoint my said brother, Homer C. Richardson, executor of this my last will and testament, and I further direct that my said executor shall not be required to give any bond or security for the discharge of his duties as such executor.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have to this, my last will and testament, consisting of one typewritten sheet of paper, subscribed my name and affixed by seal, this 12th day of May, A.D., 1925.
Daisy C. Richardson.
Last Will and Testament
In the name of the Benevolent Father of all:
I, Ezra G. Richardson, of the town of New Cumberland, County of Hancock, and State of West Va., do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament
First: My Will is that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my estate as soon after my decease as may be found convenient.
Second: I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife, Maggie Richardson, Executrix of this my last Willa and Testament and direct that no security be required on her executorial bond.
I hereby revoke all other wills by me heretofore made.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name at New Cumberland, this 28th day of January, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Twenty.
Ezra G. Richardson
probated Nov. 14, 1923
Be it remembered that, heretofore, to wit: on
the 31st day of March A.D. 1880 an instrument of writing, purporting to be the last
Will and Testament of Joseph A. Richardson, deceased, was filed in the Probate Court
within and for the County of Monroe and the State of Ohio; and Sarah C. Richardson,
the widow of said decedent, then appeared and made application to have said last
Will and Testament admitted to Probate. The said Will, not having been deposited
in the office of the Judge of said Probate Court, in the lifetime of the decedent,
and it applearing to the Court, from satisfactory evidence, that Sarah C. Richardson
is the widow of said decedent and that Ida B. Suter, nee Richardson, Joseph
M. Richardson, George L.C. Richardson, Abbie Sophia Richardson,
Clyde A. Richardson, James A Richardson, Alice C. Richardson,
Joseph E. Richardson, Eugene W. Richardson and Amy J. Richardson
are the next of kin of said decedent...
The will reads as follows:
"In
the name of the Benevolent Father of all: I Joseph A. Richardson of the County of
Monroe, and State of Ohio, do make and publish my last Will and Testament:
Item First.-I give and devise to my daughter Ida Bell Suter the Piano now
belonging to me--Item Second: I do give and devise to my son Joseph Melvin Richardson,
the sum of Five dollars. -Item third: I do give and devise to my son George
L.C. Richardson the sum of five dollars:-Item fourth: I do give and devise to
my daughter Abbie S. Richardson the sum of five dollars. -Item Fifth: I do
give and devise to my son Clyde Alva Richardson the sum of five dollars. Item
Sixth: I do give and devise to my son James Alonzo Richardson the sum
of five dollars. Item Seventh: I do give and devise to my beloved wife, in lieu of
her dower, all the residue of my property, both Real and personal: she, however,
selling some much thereof as may be sufficient to pay my just debts. I do hereby
revoke all former wills made. In testimony hereof I have here unto set my seal this
third day of April in the year A.D. 1879"
signed and acknowledged by J.A.
Richardson-as his last will and testament in our presence and signed by us in his
presence Wilson Martin, James A. Watson.
Letter to Sarah C. Richardson
Administratrix with the will annexed,
of the estate of Joseph A. Richardson, deceased
You are hereby notified that on the 7th day of September, 1885, I filed my petition in the Probate Court of the County of Monroe, and state of Ohio,praying to be released from future responsibility as one of the sureties upon your bond as Administratrix, with its will annexed of the estate of Joseph A. Richardson, deceased for the reason that Willam M. Haverly, who was one of the sureties on said bond has since its execution, deceased, and his estate has been fully settled and administrator has made distribution of same, and because you have delayed for an unreasonable length of time to make settlement of said estate. Said petition will be for hearing September 23rd 1885, at 10 o'clock, A.M.
Sept. 1885 A. R. Bridgeman
To the Hon, the Judge of the Probate Court, Monroe County, Ohio
Your petitioner, A. R. Bridgeman, respectfully represents that he is one of the sureties of Sarah C. Richardson, in a bond dated May 10 1880, given by said Sarah C. Richardson, as administratrix, with the will annexed of the estate of Joseph A. Richardson, deceased; that William M. Haverly was a surety on said bond and has since died, and adminstration has been had upon his estate and the same fully settled and distributed; that said Sarah C. Richardson has unnecessarily prolonged the settlement of said estate so that the assets are becoming daily of less value, and that your petitioner is desirous of being released from his said surety strife. Your petitioner therefore prays that said Sarah C. Richardson, may be required to enter into a new administration bond according to Law, and that your petitioner may be discharged from future responsibility as surety as aforesaid.
A. R. Bridgeman
by Driggs & Mallory, his attys
On September 29, 1885 Sarah C. Richardson submitted the 2nd and final account of Joseph A. Richardson's estate.
I, Frederick Albert Sherratt, of the Borough of Avalon, County of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania being of sound mind and memory, do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, in manner and form following, hereby revoking any will or wills heretofore made by me.
First. I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be fully paid and satisfied, as soon as conveniently may be, after my decease.
Second. I will and bequeth unto each of my children, to wit: Arthur Baird Sherratt, Roy Edward Sherratt and Edna L. Shaffer, the sum of two hundred ($200.00) Dollars.
Third: I will and beqeath unto my wife, Anna B. Sherratt, all the remainder of my estate, real, personal and mixed.
I do hereby make, constitute and appoint Anna B. Sherratt to be Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament.
made August 14, 1928
I, S. L. Suter, being in good mental health, do hereby bequeath all my property, personal and real, to my wife
Herma Suter.
Witnessed by
H. P. West
Mrs. Albert Cornell
October 21st, 1940
This day came in vacation of said county court, Herma Suter and presented for probate paper writing, bearing date
the 10th day of October, 1940, purporting to be the last will and testament of S. L. Suter, who died on the 13th day
of October, 1940