Submitted By:Melany J. Granville - March 1999
Mastin Wilkerson's Will
In the name of God Amen I Mastin Wilkerson of the Town of Pendleton in the County of Jefferson and State of Illinois being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life do therefor make, ordain, publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, that is to say, First, After all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, of my estate, Real and Personal, I give, bequeath and dispose of as follows towit: to my beloved wife, the land and appurtenances situated thereon known and described as follows, towit: The West-half (1/2) of North East quarter of section No (9) Town (3) Range (4) East of 3rd principal Meridian now possessed by me - during the term of her natural life and after her death to be divided Equally among all of my heirs except Andrew J + Samuel and Felix G. to whom I bequeath five dollars apiece. And also to my wife Two (2) mares, one a black, the other Brown, and one little new wagon, and harness, and sufficient plows to tend the farm - and 3 cows and calves, two sows and ten pigs and fifteen sheep, and household and kitchen furniture and also provisions for the family, and food for stock for twelve months - I give and bequeath and devise all the rest residue and remainder of my Real and Personal Estate to my sons and daughters, towit: James A. and Angeline Mary or her heirs and Caroline and Evaline + Tennessee + Robert + Ellen Lee + Minnie or their heirs, who may be living at the time of my decease, To be divided equally between them share and share alike. Likewise I make, constitute and appoint my loved son, James A. and my wife, Mary E. Wilkerson to be Executors of this my Last will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal the 22nd day of December, in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and seventy. Mastin Wilkerson (seal) Mary E. (my + mark) Wilkerson (seal) The above written instrument was subscribed by the said Mastin Wilkerson in our presence and acknowledged by him to each of us and he at the same time published and 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 signed our names as witnesses hereto, and written opposite our names our respective places of residence. Russell Brown of Town Pendleton (Russell Brown and W. M. Wilkerson appeared at court 4 May 1871 to swear to validity of will of Mastin Wilkerson, now deceased). |
For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer