Transcription of the Will of James M Morrison 7 May 1874

In the name of the Benevolent Father of all I James M Morrison of Worthington Township Richland County Ohio do make and publish this my last will and testament

Item 1^st          I devise and bequeath to my Son Benjamin M Morrison five hundred dollars out of my Personal property the five hundred Dollars to include a note of hand I hold against him calling for two hundred dollars payable one day after date and dated Sept Second AD 1853 no Interest to be computed on this note

Item 2^d         I give and bequeath to my Daughter Martha A. Barrett five hundred Dollars out of my personal Property:   This five hundred dollars to be canseled with a note of hand I hold on her of five hundred dollars and signed by Alonzo Barrett and Martha A Barrett due one day after date and dated June 8^th AD 1869 no Interest to be computed on this note

Item 3^d         I give and bequeath to ^^my Daughter Albina Wohlfort five hundred dollars out of my personal property this five hundred dollars to be censaled with three promisory Notes ^^{of hand} calling for two hundred and five dollars as far as the Same will apply Said notes bares Date and amounts as follows: One calling for one hundred and five dollars due at Sight and dated November 12^th AD 1860: And two notes of fifty dollars each dated January 2^d 1871 one due nine months after date and the other one due one day after date no Interest to be computed on either of the notes mentioned

Item 4^th          I give and bequeath to George Wohlfort my Soninlaw one Small chest

Item 5^th        I give and bequeath to my daughter Amanda A Loney five hundred dollars out of my personal property

Item 6^th        I give and bequeath to my daughter Albina Wohlfort and her children my House and lot No 9 in Independence Richland County Ohio Should She Survive me if not then to her children

Item 7^th        After each Heir shall have received their five hundred dollars out of my personal property as set forth in this will the balance of my personal property after paying my just debts ^^{and burial expenses} I wish divided in two equal parts my Daughter Albina Wohlfort getting one half and the other half divided between my two daughters Martha A Barrett and Amanda A Loney equally

Item 8^th        If I Should give to any of my Children money or any thing of property Kind for which I would hold their note or notes or book account betwixt the signing of this Instrument and my Decease I want the same amount taken Out of their five Hundred dollars and in no case Shall any Interest be computed against any of my Children after my Decease and there is none to be before

Item 9^th        I do hereby nominate and appoint John Ramsey and Robert M^cLaughlin executors of this my last will and testament hereby authorizing and empowering them to compromise adjust release and discharge in such manner as they may deem proper the debts and claims due me I do also authorize And empower them if it shall become necessary in order to pay [something unclear or rubbed out here] my debts to Sell by private Sale or in such manner upon such terms of credit or otherwise as they may think proper all or any part of my real estate and deeds to purchasors to execute acknowledge and deliver in fee simple

I desire that no appraisement and no Sale of my personal property be made and that the court of probate direct the omission of the Same in pursuance of the Statute

I do hereby revoke all former wills by me made I wish AC Kile to read this will in public to my Children after my decease

In testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 7^th day of May AD 1874

James M Morrison (signature and a squiggle surrounding the word “Seal”)

Signed and acknowledged by said James M Morrison as his last will and testament in our presence and Signed by us in his presence

A.C. Kile (signed)

Isobel Kile (signed)

Notes:  This handwritten will is not in James M Morrison’s hand, nor does it appear to be in the hand of either of the witnesses.  James M. Morrison died 4 August 1874.  This will was entered into probate 21 August 1874.  James’ son Benjamin reputedly died 3 January 1873, and so was dead at the time this will was written.

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