LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JACOB FRANCE

b.1811 VA d.1881 OH

In the name of the Benevolent Father of all;

I Jacob France of Newton Township Muskingum County Ohio do make and publish this my last will and testament

Item 1st
I give and devise to my beloved wife, Pheobe France, the farm on which I now reside, scituate in the aforesaid Township County and State, and containing ninety seven acres, be the same more os less, during her natural life, or as long as she may desire to reside on said farm; but if she should at any time desire to remove therefrom, then and in that case I desire that said premises be sold by my Executor hereinafter mentioned, and that my beloved wife receive from the proceeds of said sale the amount that she may be entitled to by Statute, the balance remaining, (after paying my said wife her share, and my executor his legal compensation, also his traveling expenses from his place of residence here, and also back to his place of residence,) I give and bequeath one equal fifth part thereof to my granddaughter Amanda A. France, one equal fifth part to my son Henry S. France, one equal fifth part to my son Lorenzo D. France, one equal fifth part to my son George W. France, and one equal fifth part thereof to the heirs of my daughter Mary J. Bash, deceased, said share to be divided equally among said heirs.

Item 2nd I also give and bequeath to my said wife all my personal property of every kind and description, (she however selling enough thereof to pay my just debts, and funeral expenses,)

Item 3rd If at any time by reason of old age or any thing else my said wife should become incompetent to attend to her own affairs; then and in that case, I nominate and appoint my son, Lorenzo D. France, her agent or guardian to attend to the same for her.

Item 4th After the decease of my said wife if the real estate heretofore mentioned has not been sold, as provided for in Item first, then I desire that said real estate be sold as soon as it can conveniently be done, and the proceeds thereof appropriated and divided as directed in said Item first.

Item 5th I do hereby nominate and appoint my son Lorenzo D.
France executor of this my last will and testament, hereby
authorizing and empowering him to sell by private sale or in such manner, upon such terms of credit, or otherwise as he may think proper all my real estate, and deeds to purchasers to execute acknowledge and deliver in fee simple.

I do hereby revoke all former wills by me made. In testimony thereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 6th day of April in the year, AD 1876.
Signed and acknowledged JACOB FRANCE
by said Jacob France as his last will and testament in our
presence and signed by us in his presence

G.W. Baughman

Joseph Boyd

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Application for Letters

The State of Ohio } In Probate Court of said County
Muskingum County, SS

Lorenzo D France of Rankin Vermilion County, Ill hereby makes application to be appointed Executor of the estate of Jacob France late of Muskingum County, Ohio, deceased.

And applicant further states that said Jacob France died on or about the 27 day of August 1881. Said deceased left Phebe France widow and the following next of kin, to wit:

NAME DEGREE OF KINSHIP P.O. ADDRESS

Amanda A France grandoter Daughter Sawyer Plat Co Kan
Henry S France Son Rankin Vermilion Co Ill
Lorenzo France " " " " "
George W France " Newton Muskingum Co Ohio
Oscar Bash Grand son " " " "
William H Bash " " " " " "
John Bash " " " " " "
Laura Bash Grand Daughter " " " "
Sarah Bash " " " " " "
Phebe Bash " " " " " "
Charles France Grand Son Sawyer Plat Co Kan
Henry France " " " " " "
Ambrose France " " " " " "
Elmore France " " " " " "
Emma France married " " " " " "
Eva France " " " " " "
Birdie France " " " " " "

That the following is a a statement, in general terms, of what said estate consists and the probable value thereof, to wit:

Personal property, consisting of

There is no personal property.

Real estate of the probable value of Ninety seven acres of land in Newton Township Muskingum County Ohio total: 3000.00

Said applicant offers a bond in the sum of $ 6000.00 with James Anderson and John W Anderson as sureties . For Appraisers, he suggests the appointment of

STATE OF Ohio, Muskingum County, SS



The above named Lorenzo D France being duly sworn, says the statements of the foregoing application are true as ----- verily believes.

L. D. France

Sworn to before me and subscribed in my presence this 10th day of December A.D. 1887

________________ Probate Judge

Frank M. Ford Deputy Clerk

I am working on the France family and recently found that Jacob France's children came to Vermillion Co.Ill.My Great Great Grandfather George Washington France b.1826 Ohio and his wife Rebecca McIntosh lived there to in the 1870 census.Then they came back to ClayCo.Ind..I had also found that George W.France who was the son of Jacob (but not my George W.France) and his Brother Henry S.Fraance had owned property in Clay Co.Ind.It sounds like they are realted and so far I have not been able to find my George Washington France's Parents.All I have is that he came to Clay Co.Ind.with a Joseph France b.1809-14 Pa.and his wife Fannie Widener and Samuel France b.c.1838.Also a Nancy France b.1800 and Susanna France b.1815.If you know of any other France family that had a son George b.1826 please let me know.I have a lot of information on the France family that left Clay and Vigo Co.for Vermillion Co.Ill.Thanks so much Sue Vanatti