Last Will and Testament of John Anderson

In the name of the Benevolent Father of all, I, John Anderson of the Township 
of Rutland, County of Meigs and State of Ohio, being of sound and disposing 
mind and memory do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner 
following.  And first it is my will and my wish that after my decease that my 
body be interred in a decent and Christian like manner, and that the expenses 
of my last sickness funeral be together with all my just debts due and owing 
at the time of my decease be fully and honestly paid in the manner that I here 
after direct.

Item 1st 

I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Nancy all and singular the goods and 
chattels of all and very description whatever, such as cattle, horse, hogs, 
sheep and all and every species of domestic live stock which may belong to me 
at my decease, and that farming utensils or tools of every description to me 
belonging at my decease as aforesaid also all the money which I may have on 
hand likewise all debts due me at the time of my decease.

Item 2nd

Also I give and devise unto my said wife Nancy the full free absolute right 
of possessing and enjoying the privilege of using occupying all the lands 
belonging to the time of my decease.  That is to say I give to my said wife 
the privilege of using all my real estate, houses, lands to that she may 
receive the rents and profits of the same, to assist her in the support, 
education of my children.  Until my youngest child (viz) my daughter Nancy  
arrives at the age of eighteen years, and as soon as my youngest child 
arrives to lawful age, then the right of my said wife to occupy the whole of 
my real estate to cease, and she take then her right of dower in the same and 
then my real estate or the proceeds there of be equally divided between my 
sons and daughters James E. Anderson, William T. Anderson, John Anderson, 
Asahel Anderson, Francis M. Anderson and American Andersen, Julia Ann 
Anderson, Margaret Anderson and Nancy Anderson provided however that if my 
said wife should intermarry then and in that case her right to the use and 
rents of said lands as above given shall cease over all of said lands except 
her right of dower in the same and then the said real estate or the proceeds 
there of subject to the right of dower of my said wife to be equally divided 
among my said children.  But should my said wife remain my widow them the use 
and occupancy of said real estate houses I give to her exclusively until my 
said youngest child shall become of age as aforesaid.

Item 3rd

After the decease of as wife, or should she again marry ten at the time of 
her marriage, or should she remain my widow until my youngest child becomes 
of lawful age then at the occurrence of either of said events I give and 
bequeath to my said sons and daughters my real and personal property to be 
equally divided among them that is to say, each of my said sons and daughters 
to have and share alike.

Item 4th

I do hereby appoint David Entsminger my esteemed friend Executor of this last 
Will and Testament authorizing him to settle all my debts and to collect all 
claims due me at the time of my decease.

Item 5th

And lastly I do hereby declare make and publish the forgoing my last Will and 
Testament

I Testimony when of I here unto set my hand and seal this fifth day of 
November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six.  AD 1846

Signed and acknowledge by John Anderson and declared by him in our presence 
to be his last Will and Testament and signed by us in his presence as 
witnesses.           John C. Hysell
                            William E. Hysell

The State of Ohio Meigs County

Be it known that on the 18th day of March AD 1847 personally appeared John C. 
Hysell and William E. Hysell the subscribed witnesses to an instrument 
…………….   (that is all that is on the copy that I have)

[Transcribed by Connie Schumaker]