I Jonathan Meek of the County of Clay in the State of Illinois do make & publish this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form as following that is to say first, it is my desire will that all my funeral expenses and all my just debts be fully paid.
Second I direct that the ??????? on which that I now reside on, situated in the County of Clay and the state aforesaid being the Northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section eighteen in township four North of range five East & the Northwest quarter of the Southwest quarter of section Twenty in the township of above named in said county it being that portion of my real estate that I have set apart to my youngest son Jonathan S. Meek and the Southeast quarter of the Northeast quarter of section eighteen in township 4 North range five East in the county and state aforesaid and the Northeast quarter of Southeast quarter of section 24 in township 4 North Range 4 east Marion County and state above name being that portion that I have set apart for my son William Thomas Meek and give and bequeath unto my wife Catharine Meek in trust for the use and benefit of herself during her life and widowhood and the use and benefit of my of my two sons above named ???? that my daughter Luvina Meek have out of my personal property one cow and of my household one bed having set apart to her all ????? the amount above named and that all of the ??? ???? balance of the personal property that is left be for the use and benefit of my three sons vis John Simpson Meek & William T. Meek & Jonathan S. Meek & the benefit of my daughter Luvina Meek that all of said property Namely horses cattle hogs and sheep and wagon harness farming utensils be kept on the farm for the use of my three sons and that the work oxen be kept for the use and benefit of my son John S. Meek for the purpose of improving and breaking the land and the use of Squire Meek my son and my daughter Mary Young and after John S. Meek my son in from his land then they all may be sold but one yoke to be kept for the use of the family and widow and ??? that there be money appropriated out of my property for the purpose of schooling and educating my three sons viz John S. Meek & William T. Meek and Jonathan S. Meek and should any of the personal property remain at the death of my wife Catherine Meek it must be divided equally between my three sons viz John S. Meek & William T. Meek and Jonathan S. Meek.
& 5 That I have heretofore given and granted to my son Squier Meek that portion of personal property & real estate and also my daughter Mary Young & Lucinda Burgess the amount being equally divided between my four sons and three daughters and that my son Squier Meek & my daughter Mary Young & my daughter Luvina Meek & my daughter Lucinda Brugess shall not have any claim nor rights nor ????? to any of my personal Property nor real estate except the portion they have heretofore received.
Lastly, I hereby constitute and appoint my said son Squier Meek to be the Executor of this my last will and Testament revoking and annulling all former wills by me made and ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament my son Squier Meek to have reasonable percentage from his serving as Executor.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 25th day of November A. D. 1853.
Signed published and declared by the ) his
above named Jonathan Meek as and ) Jonathan Meek seal
for his Last Will and Testament in ) mark
presence of us who at his request )
have signed as witnesses to the same. )
)
unreadable )
his )
Jacob Meek )
mark )
)
I, Squire Meek do solemnly swear that this writing contains the true Last Will and Testament of the within Jonathan Meek deceased so far as I know or believing and that I will will & truly Execute the same by paying, first the debts and then the legacies mentioned herein as far as his goods & chattel, will these ??? ???, and the law ??? me and that I will make a true and perfect inventory
Return to Document Menu
Return to Clearinghouse page