JOSEPH MITCHELL SR. WILL ATHENS COUNTY, OHIO, 1824

In the name of God Amen!!! I JOSEPH MITCHEL SENIOR of the State of Ohio and County of Athens, being weak in body, but sound and perfect memory mind and considering the uncertainty of this mortal life do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit.
First I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife MARGARET one third of the real estate so long as she livith, also one cow.

I do also give and bequeath to my eldest son JOSEPH MITCHEL JNR. the West half of the farm I now live on in Rome Township in the aforesaid County and State, laid off according to quantity and quality with a line as near North and South, as the situation of the said farm will admit of with conveyance. After the death of my beloved wife, to hold as an inheritance in fee simple forever. Also I give and bequeath to my son WILIAM MITCHELL who is now living in the Miami County after the death of his mother all the East half of the aforesaid farm, to hold with the same right as is engaged on the part of my son JOSEPH.

And as respects the real estate or land purchased of DANIEL STEWART Esquire. I do will and bequeath to my aforesaid son JOSEPH a choice of one hundred acres provided it does not interfere with a lot of land that I shall bequeath to my daughter SALLY WHAN in the latter part of my will. I also give and bequeath to my aforesaid son WILLIAM one other hundred acres of said tract of land. I do also give and bequeath to my daughter MARGARET sixty acres of the same tract laid off in the most conventional manner as the premises will admit unto my daughter SALLY WHAN sixty acres of the same tract laid off adjoining the farm of JOHN WHAN her husband if the tract does not hold out by that division each must be reduced in proportion. Now if my aforesaid son WILLIAM, do not sic. Cause to come and live on and inherit the premises given to him by this my last will and testament, he shall hereby be bound from selling said premises, but the right of said sale be vested in his legal heirs. I do hereby substitute and appoint my aforesaid JOSEPH MITCHEL JUNIOR sole Executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made in witness whereof. I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of September one thousand eight hundred and twenty four. Signed, Sealed, published and declause in presence of us witnesses in person of the testator.
JOSEPH MITCHEL

Witnesses:
JOHN THOMPSON
JOSHUA SELBY

SOURCE: Athens County, Ohio, Will Book, 20-Sept-1824.