James D. Pace's Last Will and Testament:

"In the name of God Amen. I James D. Pace, of the County of Jefferson and state of Illinois being of sound mind & memory do make, ordain & establish this to be my last will & testament hereby revoking all other wills by me heretofore executed.

First.

Second.

It is my will & desire that my wife, Mary A. Pace if she shall survive me shall have all my personal property goods and chattels to be her absolute property; and also have the use and occupancy of my homestead & the --- issues and profits arising therefrom during her natural life.

At the death of my said wife, I direct that my homestead shall be sold by my executor hereinafter named either at public or private sale and I hereby authorize and empower my said executor to execute the proper deed or deeds of conveyance of the same either with or without the authority of the court.

Third.

I direct that my executor shall first pay the expenses of the sale of said homestead - and out of the residue be shall pay
to my daughter Doretta Stonewitz one hundred fifty dollars;
to my daughter Mary A. Piper, one hundred fifty dollars;
to my son George H. Pace, four hundred dollars;
to my daughter Celia A. Pace three hundred dollars;
to my daughter Druzilla May Pace,three hundred dollars; &
to my daughter Lillie Pearl Pace, three hundred dollars;
and shall divide the remainder if any equally between the six above named children and Wm. N. Pace, James D. Pace, Martin E. Pace, Sarah A. Breeze and Avery E. Stonewitz my other children.

It is my will that if either Celia A., George H., Druzilla May, or Lille Pearl, or any one or more of them shall die before receiving their legacy the survivor or survivors of the 4 named shall receive the share of such an one. In the event of my wife decease prior to my own it is my will and desire that my executor shall convert all my personal property into money, either at private or public sale as speedily as possible and shall sell the homestead consisting of 42 acres more or less, situated in Shiloh Tp. Jefferson County Illinois (it being the same "homestead" or tract of land heretofore referred to) in the same manner as herein before directed, paying the specific legacies above set forth & distributing the residue as herein above directed.

I hereby nominate and appoint Norman H. Moss, my executor to carry out the provisions of this will. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 17th day of Nov. 1896.

[Signature of James D. Pace Seal]

The above instrument consisting of one sheet, was at the date thereof signed, sealed, published and declared by the said James Downing Pace, as and for, his last will and testament, in presence of us who, at his request, & in his presence have subscribed our names, as witnesses thereto, believing the said James Downing Pace to be at the time of so subscribing our names as witnesses as aforesaid of sound mind and memory.

[Signatures of Frank E. Patton Seal and --- B. Fly Seal]"

Jefferson Co., IL. Circuit Clerk - Probate Records, Box 89