Joseph Keepers (group 5) Will
dated November 20, 1842
In the name of the benevolent father of all. I, Joseph Keepers, of the County of Guernsey, and State of Ohio, do make and publish this my last will and testament.
Item 1st: I give and devise to my beloved wife Hannah in lieu of her dower until my youngest child shall come of age, the use jointly with my son William of the farm in Jefferson Township, said farm where I now live, which I wish them to rent out and receive rent for the express purpose of raising my family. I also devise to my beloved wife and son William the sum of Eleven Hundred dollars for the express purpose of purchasing Eighty acres of land for my heirs which we now have ???? to buy and to move my family to said land, thereon to live until my youngest child shall arrive at lawful age. I also order that my beloved wife & my son William shall have the use of my rents, goods, chattels, interest and moneys until my youngest child becomes of lawful age for the express purpose of supporting themselves and for the support & education of the balance of my children until the youngest shall become of age.
Item 2nd: I give and devise to each one of my children, viz., my daughter Phebe Ann, William H. Keepers, Sarah Jane Keepers, Israel J. Keepers, Joseph Keepers, Mary Elizabeth Keepers, Hannah Maria, Henrietta Keepers, and Phelinda Keepers the sum of one hundred dollars, either in property or money to be paid on the day of their marriages by my executors out of my effects.
Item 3rd: I devise to my beloved wife and son William the sum of Four hundred dollars for the express purpose of building and improving the farm that they are to purchase as above described.
Item 4th: I devise to my beloved wife, at the time my youngest child shall arrive at lawful age, her lawful share during her lifetime & the balance of my estate after paying each child One hundred dollars as above mentioned. N.B., each child shall receive their hundred dollars whether they marry or not when the youngest child becomes of age to be equally divided amongst my children or their heirs.
Item 5th: I devise that the balance of my moneys say(?) One thousand dollars shall be let at interest by my executors to some safe person, the same to be secured by mortgage in good freehold estate, to remain so until the youngest child shall become of age if not required by the executors devised(?) to pay to my children as above devised.
Item 6th: I do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife, Hannah, and my son William, executors of this my last will and testament. I do hereby revoke all former wills by me made. In Testimony whereof I have herein set my hand and seal this twentieth day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty second. N.B. The interlinings between the seventeenth and eighteenth lines from the top were done before the signings at the request of the devisor. N.B., the interlining between the fifth and six lines was done before signing and at the request of the devisor.
Signed and acknowledged by said Joseph Keepers as his last will and testament in our presence & signed by us in his presence. John Keepers, George W. Keepers.
[George W. Keepers was Joseph’s nephew, and John could be Joseph’s brother or George’s brother. JKK]
On April 17, 1843, John Keepers and George W. Keepers
appeared in court and attested to the “sound mind and memory” of Joseph at the
time the will was written. The court
ordered the will to be recorded.
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