Will of George Simpson
McLean County Court House
Probate Records
Will Book L pg. 448
Filed January 2, 1869. Proved Oct 9, 1869
Transcribed by Dawn Owings November 10, 2004
(I have kept the original spelling)
pg. 280
"Will of George Simpson Dec'd
I George Simpson of the County of McLean and State of Illinois being weak in body but of sound mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament in manners and from as ??????? (2 words illegible) that is to say ????????? (several -- about 6 words -- illegible) it.
It is my will that my beloved wife Ruth Simpson to have all my Real Estate as well as personal property to use and enjoy the same during her natural life. And I demise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Ruth Simpson all of my Real Estate as follows to wit. The West half of the South West quarter of section No. one (1) in Township twenty three North of Range one west of the third Principal Meridian. Also ten acres off of the west side of lot number twelve (12) in No. sixteen in Township twenty four (24) North of Range one west of the third principal meridian. Also all my personal effects of all kinds now in my possession that she may enjoy the same and use the same as I myself would if living and furtheron at the death of my beloved wife Ruth Simpson, I make provisions,
pg. 281
Second -- I demise and bequeath unto Ruth Minerva Simpson three hundred dollars as a compensation for services rendered the family over and above an equal childs portion in my estate.
3rd Third -- I demise and bequeath unto Juliann Simpson two hundred and fifty dollars as a compensation for services rendered the family over and above an equal childs portion in my estate.
4th Fourth -- I demise and bequeath to each of my children the remainder of my estate after all my just debts are paid togather with the funeral expenses of myself and my beloved wife Ruth Simpson to be equally divided between all my children as follows, Ruth Minerva Simpson, Juliann Simpson, Henry Simpson, William Simpson, Hannah Simpson, Lydia Simpson, Elizabeth Simpson, Mary Simpson, Sarah Catherine Simpson and George W. Simpson each to share equally after paying Ruth Minerva Simpson the sum of three hundred dollars and Juliann Simpson to have the above stated two hundred and fifty dollars. This I wish expressly understood is for services rendered us as parents after the girls named above had a right to work for themselves but continued with me.
And lastly I hereby constitute my beloved wife Ruth Simpson to be Executrix of this my last will and testament without security as required by law annulling others. In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this 2nd day of January in the year of our Lorde Eighteen hundred and Sixty nine.
George Simpson (seal)
Signed Published and Delivered by the above named George Simpson in the presence of us who at his request have signed the same as witnesses
Henry I. Deal
T. T. Cochran"
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pg. 282
"Will of George Simpson deceased
State of Illinois
McLean County
Henry I. Deal and Townsend T. Cochran being duly sworn in open Court do depose and say that they were present at the execution of the Last will and testament hereto attached of George Simpson Late of said County deceased that they saw the said George Simpson subscribe said will and heard him publish and declare the same to be his last will and testament that they believed and still do believe that said testator at the time of executing the same was of full age of sound mind and memory and under no restraint. That they signed said will as witnesses thereto in the presence and at the request of the said testator and in the presence of each other.
Henry I. Deal
Townsend T. Cochran
Published and sworn to before me in open court this 22nd day of March 1869
R. S. Wolnlgur(?), Clerk"
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"In the matter of the Estate of George Simpson decesed.
And now at this day comes Henry I. Deal and produces in court an insturment of writing purporting to be the last will and testiment of George Simpson, deceased. Henry I. Deal and Townsend T. Cochran the subscribing witness also appear and in open court upon oath testify to the due execution of said will which testimony being reduced to writing and by said witness respectively subscribed is attached to said will and it appearing to the Court from said testimony that said will was duly executed and attested and that the said testator at the time of executing the was of full age of sound mind and memory and under no restraint. It is therefore ordered that said will & testimony be filed and recorded.
Ordered that court adjourn to Wednesday morning 9 October (1869)"