Will of W. B. Richardson deceased
In the name of the Benevolent Father of all I Wilkes B. Richardson of Bloom Township Morgan County Ohio do make and publish this my last Will and Testament.
Item 1st. I direct my Executor to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses out of my personal estate.
Item 2nd. I give and bequeath to my wife Elizabeth A. Richardson sixty four acres off the East Side of the North East Quarter of Section fourteen in Tp. 11 Range 12. To be held by her during her natural life also all the household & kitchen furniture including beds & bedding to be held by her absolutely. Also one thousand dollar of the amount owed to me by Vincent E. Richardson. Also one horse to be selected by her, also one saddle and bridle also one cow to be selected by her. The foregoing to be taken by her in lieu of her dower years support and other allowances under the law.
Item 3rd. I give and bequeath to Vincent E. Richardson my son the South East Quarter of Section fourteen (14) being the farm on which he now resides.
Item 4th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Anna G. Jackson all that part of the South West Quarter of Section fourteen situate West of the La_hew Road also the house, garden and orchard said Quarter Section east of said road where my said daughter now resides and now in her possession supposed to be about two acres. Also one hundred dollars.
Item 5th. I give and bequeath to Mary J. Richardson my daughter twenty five hundred dollars.
Item 6. I give and bequeath to my daughter Wilkie J. Richardson all that part of the North West (east?) Quarter of Section fourteen (14) west of a line North and south through said quarter & cutting off one hundred and thirty acres east of such line also so much off the east side of the North West Quarter of section fourteen as will make seventy five acres in all of this devise supposed to be thirty acres in the N. E. Quarter and forty five acres in the N. W. Quarter of said section 14. Also five hundred dollars to be paid her by my executor.
Item 7. I give and bequeath to my daughter Birdie E. Richardson all that part of the N. W. Quarter of Section fourteen bounded as follows, to wit beginning at the N. W. corner of the tract herein bequeathed to Wilkie J. Richardson and thense along the north line of the Quarter to the said Layew Road, thense down the center of said road a South course about one hundred rods to a point where the road bends to the east and thense due south to the south line of the quarter. Thense east along the south line of the Quarter to the land herein bequeathed to Wilkie J. Richardson and thense to place of beginning. Supposed to be sixty five acres. Also five hundred dollars to be paid her by my executor.
Item 8. I give and bequeath to my son Cleason B. Richardson the North East Quarter of Section twelve also the east half of the North East Quarter of Section fifteen. Also beginning at the N. W. corner of Sec. 14 and thense East to the center of the Layhew Road; Thense south along the center of the road and along the west line of the land herein bequeathed to Birdie E. Richardson to the south line of the N. W. Quarter of Sec. 14. Thense west to the west line of the said last named Quarter & thense North to the place of beginning supposed be contain fifty acres.
Item 9th. I give and bequeath to my son Maddison M. Richardson the South East Quarter of Section Eleven being the Quarter on which I now reside as a homestead. Also one hundred and thirty acres off the East side of the North East Quarter of Section fourteen subject to the life estate of Elizabeth Richardson in sixty five acres, hereinbefore bequeathed to her in Item 2nd.
Item 10. I give and devise to Mary E. Rhinebarger one hundred dollars and the amount now due me from Peter Rhinebarger.
Item 11. I give and devise to my daughter Karenhappock Brady two hundred dollars in addition to what I have heretofore given her.
Item 12. I give and devise to my daughter Ruth McCune six hundred dollars in addition to what I have heretofore given her.
Item 13. I give and devise to my daughter Frances E. Merser two hundred dollars in addition to what I have heretofore given her.
Item 14. I give and devise to Isoline H. Sevall one hundred dollars in addition to what I have heretofore given her.
Item 14. I give and devise to the Trustees of Mt. Zion Grave Yard fifty dollars to be loaned with good security and the interest used in keeping the grave yard in suitable order and condition.
Item 15. I direct my Executor to expend four hundred dollars in repairs upon my homestead and it is my will that my wife and family shall use and occupy my homestead until my son Maddison arrives at full age.
Item 16. All the rest and residue of my Estate I give and devise to my sons Cleason B. & Maddison M. Richardson share and share alike and I direct that no appraisement or sale of my property shall be had by my Executor.
Item 17. I hereby nominate and appoint James McCune & George W. Wallace Executors of this my last will and testament & request them to charge only such compensation as will remunerate them for the time expended settling my estate not exceeding forty dollars each. All the lands herein bequeathed situate in Township Eleven (11) Range (12) twelve Morgan County Ohio.
In witness of which I have hereto affixed my name and seal this 4th August 1883.
Wilkes B. Richardson
Signed and acknowledged by Wilkes B. Richardson as his last will and testament in our presence signed by us in his presence and at his request.
Joseph Reed
Seth Reed
E. M. Stanberry
Morgan County Ohio Record of Wills, Vol. 4, pp. 62-5.
Transcribed by Barbara Shroyer 30 Jan. 2004 from FHL microfilm 2293875.
Note: Item 14 was used twice in will.