John A

John A. Keepers (Group 4) Will

dated April 27, 1867

In the name of God, Amen. I, John A. Keepers, of Taylor Township, County of Fulton, State of Pennsylvania, being of sound mind and memory but being weak in body praise God for the same, and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs whilst I have strength and capacity so to do make and publish this my last will and testament, revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made, and first and principally, I commit my soul to the Hand of my Creator who gave it, and my body to the Earth to be decently entered, and as to such worldly goods and estate wherewith it had pleased God to bless me with, I dispose of the same as follows. To wit: I will that all my just debts, as shall by me be owing at my death, together with funeral expenses and all charges touching the proving of or otherwise concerning this my will, shall in the first place out of my personal estate and effects, be fully paid and satisfied. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Louisa Jane, one cow and one bed and bedding, her choice, and one table and one set of chairs and two shoats and one cupboard and a set of dishes and the cooking stove and all that belongs to it, and all the present growing crop excepting the rye and the corn that is to be planted. I also bequeath unto my wife, Louisa Jane, the farm that I now have, to have and to hold during her natural life and all income thereof, and if my wife and children shall deem it best to sell the property so that my wife can enjoy herself most comfortably, they may do so. But, the money must be invested for her support. I bequeath to my daughter, Alice C. Keepers, two beds and bedding and one cow and one cupboard and the dishes it contains and one table and two shoats, and after the death of my wife and the estate settled up, the balance of the estate to be divided equally among my six children, namely: Eliza Jane, Sarah Ann, Alice C., Stephen F., William F., Louisa Emily, to share and share alike. Likewise, I make, constitute and appoint my son, Stephen F. Keepers, and James Harris, Esq., to be Executors of this my last will and testament, and when is sold, I authorize them to make the deed for the same. Witness my hand and seal this twenty-seventh day of April, A.D. 1867.

Witnesses: James Fields, Thomas Kirk

Signed: John A. Keepers

The above written instrument was subscribed by the said John A. Keepers in our presence and acknowledged by him to each of us, and he at the same time declared the above instrument so subscribed, to be his last will and testament, and we, at the Testator’s request, and in his presence, have assigned our names thereto as witnesses. James Fields, Thomas Kirk

Pennsylvania, Fulton County, Register’s Office, August 3^rd, 1867.

This day personally appeared before me, James Fields and Thomas Kirk, the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of writing, being duly qualified according to law, did say that they were present and did see and hear John A. Keepers, late of Taylor Township, deceased, the testator therein named, seal, publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament, and that at the time of so doing, he was of sound disposing mind, memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief.

Signed: Jas. Fields, Thomas Kirk

Sworn and subscribed before me, the day and year aforesaid, Jno. A. Robinson, Register

Be it remembered that on the 3^rd day of August, A.D. 1867, before me was duly proven the last will and testament of John A. Keepers, deceased, and letters testamentary thereon were granted to Stephen F. Keepers, one of the executors named in will, he having been first duly sworn – Jas. A. Harris, the other executor having removed his right to administer – Stamp on probate, $1.00.

Tax: .50, Stamp 1.00, Reg’r.: $4.05 of $5.55 paid.

Jno. A. Robinson, Register