WILLS

WILL OF ABRAHAM STAPP

Will dated 20 Oct 1710

Will Probated 8 Apr 1714

Essex County

To son Abraham Stapp, all land on N. side of road of "my now dewlling plantation." To son William all land on S. side of road. To son Jacob Stapp, upper part of land bought of Edward Moseley and to son Joshua Stapp, the lower part bordering on Mr. Robert Brooke.To young sons Joseph Stapp and James Stapp, 25 acres each of lower land. Jacob and joshua to buy them 100 acres each elsewhere. To wife Dorathy, all property during lifetime. To daughter Ruth Stapp, cattle and etc. To two daughters Rebecca and Martha Stapp, a shilling each.

Signed: Abraham Stapp

Witness: Robert Moss, Peter Hallon,

Will Harte his mark.

LAST WILL & TESTIMENT of BENJAMIN STAPP

Now in the presence of Almighty God I Benjamin Stapp do declare this to be my last will and testament.

Item 1st I bequeath my soul to God who gave it

Item 2nd That all my just debts be paid

Item 3rd That if I die before my beloved wife Martha Stapp that she have the use of all my property for her maintenance except so much of the same as may be necessary for the payment of my just debts and at her death if she outlives me, all the balance of the said property, my slave Emphrius excepted, to be sold according to law and the proceeds of the same to be equally divided amongst my children, my daughter Celia and my son Darius excepted to each of whom I give a bed with the necessary bedding and bedstead which is all that they are to have of my estate, after my death the proceeds of said sale to be equally divided with the rest of my children according to my own estament of what I have given to each one heretofore which is as follows - To my two sons John Stapp and William Stapp and to my daughter Mary Compton, formerly Mary Stapp, the sum of fifteen dollars each more than the other children as the others have each received the said sum of fifteen dollars each more than them and my son Joseph Stapp having received the sum of ten dollars more than any of the other children I wish him to pay in the said sum of ten dollars to be added to the process of the sale of my property to be divided as before mentioned.

Item 4th That to Rhoda Odell a girl that we have raised from a child and which still lives with us as one of my family I wish her to have the saddle and bridle that I have heretofore given her and also a cow that I gave her when it was a calf together with the increase of said cow and I also want her to have and keep her bed with the necessary bedding and the bedstead which she now claims and if I should not have the opportunity in my lifetime to give her a horse I wish her to have a horse worth fifty dollars or the sum of fifty dollars in money which I wish her to have before the division before mentioned is made the balance to be added as before mentioned.

Item 5th That my salve Emphrius be hired out by my executor on the most advantageous jobs, calling into consideration the treatment that he the said slave is to receive. I wish my executor to hire said slave publicly or privately as he may choose until the hire amounts to the sum of four hundred dollars then he the said Emphrius is to be free.

Item 6th I wish my executor to use his own discretion about dividing the proceeds of the here of said slave, that is he may divide it yearly as it comes to hand or he may retain it in his own hands until he receives the whole amount of the said sum of four hundred dollars provided said Emphrius lives to earn that amount of four hundred dollars and then divide the whole amount equally amongst all my heirs my daughter Celia Stapp and my son Darius Stapp excepted.

Item 7th I hereby appoint my son Joseph Stapp the County of Bates and State of Missouri to by my executor. In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the 16th day of December A.D. 1854.

WILL OF PATRICK HOURIGAN

In the name of God amen, I, Patrick Hourigan, of Washington County, State of Kentucky, being of sound body and mind and memory, deed calling to mind the frailties of human nature and that it is appointed for all men to die, do make constitute and appoint this my last will and testament revoking all wills and memories of willis heretofore made by me and declaring this and only this to be my will and testament in manner and form hereafter mentioned.

Recommend my soul to the hand of the almighty God who gave it hoping through the merits of His blessed Son, Jesus Christ, unto a joyful resurrection of the last day. My body decently buried at the direction of my executor hereafore mentioned and paying my just debts, what temporal estate it hath pleased God to bless me with I desire to be disposed of as follows:

Item: To my beloved wife, Winnie Hourigan, I give one third part of my estate both real and personal during her lifetime or widowhood and at her death or marriage, it is my will and desire, that my land wherever it may be, be sold for the best price that can be procured by my executor hereafore mentioned.

Item: The balance of my estate not hereafore bequeathed, I desire may be equally divided between my children: Polly Hundley, Nancy Hourigan, Grace Hourigan, Peggy Hourigan, David Hourigan, James Hourigan, deducting out of my daughter, Polly's part twenty pounds less than her equal portion of my estate over concerning that she has had that much of my estate over and above equal division.

Item: It is my will and desire that my daughter, Polly's part be given to her by executors hereafter in real property to be entailed to her and her heirs and no other person or persons forever except five dollars of her part i give to the use of her and her husband, Jesse Hundley, to his part and on more of my estate. Lastly, I do constitute and appoint Winnie Hourigan, John Lancaster and Andrew Cunningham, executors of this my last will and testament.

In witness were I do hereunto set my and cause my seal this last day of March 1814, signed and sealed, proved and delivered, to be the will and testament of P.H. Heskish White, Edward Bresco, Common Crowders, John Crowders, Patrick Hourigan.

LAST WILL & TESTAMENT of BENJAMIN MOYER

Know all men by these presents that I Benjamin Moyer of Beaver Township Clarion County and State of Pennsylvania Farmer being feeble in body but of sound mind and memory do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament voking all former wills by me at anytime hertofore made. And as to my worldly estate and all the property in sue personal as mixed which I shall die Seized and possessed or to which I shall be entitled at the time of my decease I devise bequeath and dispose thereof in the manner following to wit.

First my will is that all my just debts and funeral expenses shall by my executors herein after named paid out of my estate as soon after my decease as shall by them be found convenient. Then I give devise to my beloved wife Susannah all my household furniture and two of my cows. Also my farm where I now reside for to raise and support my family and I also to give to my beloved Susannah one third of all the oil produced on my farm at my decease and the two thirds of the oil produced on my is to be divided among my children in equal shares namely John Moyer, Peter Moyer, Hester Kugler, Joel Moyer, Charles Moyer, Jacob Moyer, Benjamin Moyer, Susannah Barres (Burris ?), Noah Moyer, Adam Moyer. It is also my will that all the money on hand at my death is to be divided equally among my children above named. It is my will and desire that after the death of my beloved wife Susannah all my property real and personal shall be sold and the money divided equally among my children above named. And lastly I do nominate and appoint my said sons John Moyer and Joel Moyer Executors of this my Last Will and Testament. April 22nd 1882.

Benjamin Moyer

Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of us attest

G.A. Knight J.C.Gilbert

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the Said testator Benjamin Moyer as for his Last Will and Testament in the presents of us who in his presence and at his request have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.

Clarion County

Before me W.H. Hockman Register for the Probate of wills and granting letters of Administration in and for the County of Clarion personally name J.C. Gilbert & G.A. Knight the subscribing Witnesses to the foregoing will who being duly sworn according to law do say that they were present and saw and heard Benjamin deceased the testator therein named sign and seal publish pronounce and declare the foregoing instrument of writing as and for his Last Will and Testament and at the time of so doing he was of sound mind and memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief. J.C. Gilbert G.A. knight

Sworn and subscribed before me this 9 & 10th day of May AD 1889.

W.H. Hockman Register

and Delivered in the presence of us attest

THE LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF M. H. RENFROE

State of Mississippi County of Tate

I Marcus H. Renfroe of the state and County aforesaid being sound in mind and memory but remembering the uncertainty of life do make declare and publish this my last will and testament. I give devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Helen Renfroe the east half of the North East quarter of Section thirty, Township four (4), Range eight (8) West in the state of Mississippi and County of Tate to her and her heirs in fee simple forever subject only to the limitations, that is to say in case the said Helen Renfroe should die without disposing by will properly attested and proven of the land herein above described and bequeathed to her then it is my will that the said tract of land shall descend to all of my children in equal part, the children of any deceased child taking the share of the deceased parent.

I hereby appoint my beloved wife, Helen Renfroe executrix of this my last will, and I will and direct that she be allowed to qualify without giving bond and I also release her from accounting to any court for her management of the Estate devised and bequeathed under this will.

In testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand and seal the 20 day of October 1880 A.D.

Marcus H. Renfroe signed

The above written instrument was subscribed by the said Marcus H. Renfroe in our presence and acknowledged by him to each of us and he at the same time declaring above instrument so subscribed and sealed to be his Last will and testament and was at his request have signed our names as witnesses thereto, in his presence and in the presence of each other on the day and date above written.

G. D. Shands, Eugene Johnson, J. M. Walker

CODICIL TO THE ABOVE WILL

In addition to my former will I hereby bequeath to my wife Helen Renfroe all of my personal property of whatever kind that I may have when I die. My reason for giving all to my wife is first--She helped me to make all that we have-- If everything that I had, had been sold when I married my wife it would not have paid what I was bound for and had to pay-- We have worked hard and paid out-none of my children aided me in the least nor seemed to care. I therefore give what little I have to my wife Helen Renfroe to have and to dispose of as she may see fit. Given under my hand and seal this September the 4th 1882.

M. H. Renfroe

Witnesses G. Y. Gillespie J. W. Thompson

State of Mississippi In Chancery Court of said county Tate County in special term before the Chancellor on Monday June 25, 1883

In the matter of a certain instrument of writing purporting to be the last Will PROOF OF WILL and testament of Marcus H. Renfroe dec'd. Be it remembered that at a special term of the Chancery Court of the county of Tate in the state of Mississippi, began and held in the courthouse in and for said county on Monday 25 June 1883 personally appeared in open court G. D. Shands, Eugene Johnson, J. M. Walker subscribing witnesses to a certain instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of M. H. Renfroe and also appeared G. Y. Gillispie subscribing witness to a codicil to the fore said will of the said Marcus H. Renfroe deceased late of said county the said will being dated the 20th day of Oct. 1880 and the said codicil bearing date the 4th day Sept. 1882, who having first being duly sworn the said item first named disposed and said that the said Marcus H. Renfroe signed, sealed and published and declared said instrument as his last will and testament in the presence of these deponents on the day of the date thereof that said testator was then of sound disposing mind and memory and more that 21 years of age and that these deponents subscribed said instrument as witnesses thereto at the insistence and request and in the presence of each other on the day and year then stated, and the said G. Y. Gillispie disposed and said that the said Marcus H. Renfroe signed, sealed, and published the codicil to said will and declared said instrument and codicil as his last will and testament in the presence of deponents and J. W. Thompson whose name is subscribed thereto as a witness on the day of the date of said codicil that said testator was then on sound disposing mind and memory and more that 21 years of age and that deponents said J. W. Thompson subscribed said instrument as witness thereto at the insistence and request in the presence of said testator and also in the presence of each other on the day and year then stated.

Sworn to and subscribed in open court on the 25 day June 1883

D. G. Shands, J. M. Walker, Eugene Johnson, G. Y. Gillespie

D. C. Holland clerk

In the name of God Amen, I John Stapp of the County of Adair and State of Kentucky, being aged and infirm in body but of Sound mind and disposing memory (for which I thank God) and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life; and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly Estate as it has pleased God to bless me with I do hereby make my last Will and Testament in form and manner following; that is to say first I desire that all my just Debts be paid out of my perishable property: 2ndly after the payment of my debts and funeral expenses, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Patience Stapp the tract of land where I now live together with its appurtinence and all the farming utensils and waggon with all its fixings all my household furniture all my stock of every description and all my money that I have now or that is now Owing me is to be applied by executors to the necessary use of my wife and present family and other expenses that may occur if it is not necessary to apply all of said money in the aforesaid purposes then to be disposed of as hereafter mentioned my Two Negro men Benjamin and Lewis to be disposed of as follows said Benjamin be left to my wife, and said Lewis I also give to my said wife for the purpose of raising my present family and her support until he the said Lewis is forty years old then the aforesaid Negro man Lewis to be Set free during life, he the said Lewis is now about Twenty years old and at the death of my said wife all of her estate that remains of every description to be sold to the highest bidder Eighteen months credit and then the amount thereof with any remaining money to be equally divided between all my Lawful heirs, all the remainder of my Estate at my death including all my lands, (except the tract herein before mentioned which I give to my Said wife) with all their appurtinances and all my Estate ofevery description to be sold to the highest bidder for cash at eighteen months credit, then the proceeds of Said Sale to be applied as follows that all of my Younger Children namely, Sally, Polly, Patty, Aseneth, Caty and Patience, as they severally become of age shall receive each of them the sum of One hundred Dollars also Sixty Two Dollars Sixty eight Cents in household furniture or other necessaries or Cash, any property or furniture that my Said wife Can spare of her part or thinks proper to dispose to said Children as they become of age the Value thereof Shall be estimated and included in and make part of the aforesaid Sixty Two Dollars Sixty eight Cents, I give to my Son Elijah Stapp in part one hundred Acres of land where he now lives adjoining John Stapp Jr. and William Triplett the Open lines to be closed under the direction of my executors in suitable form around the farm of Said tract of land, and my Said Son Elijah is to pay in part of Said land to my Estate the Sum of One hundred Dollars in good trade equal to a good Common Second rate Cow & Calf at ten Dollars. The above will made in presents us on the eight day of October One Thousand eight hundred and fourteen ------

In the Name of God Amen. I Joshua Stapp of the County of Orange living in perfect health and sound sense of memory & mindfull of the uncertanty of this life do make & ordain this my last will & testament in manner and form following--

First I give my soul to Almighty God who gave it to me trusting in Jesus Christ for the remiession of my sins and as for what worldly goods it hath pleased God to bestow me I give in manner & form following. Vizt.--

Then my will and desire is that my Negro man & Negro woman Beth be both free & at their own disposal and if there should be any charges required by the Court towards their being legally set free from bondage then my will is that such charge be paid out of my estate --

Then my will is that my grandson Achilles Stapp have my Negro woman Cate --

Then I give the residue of my estate not already mentioned to be divided between the persons whose names I hereafter mention (Vizt.) my Grandson Achilles Stapp my Grand Daughter Lucy Willheit my Grand Daughter Sarah Creel & my Grand Daughter Martha Hubbard to them & their heirs forever --

Then my will is that my estate be not sold but be appraised and divided according to appraisment

Lastly I constitute & appoint my Grandson Achilles Stapp executor to this my Last Will & Testament disolving all former wills by me made acknowledging this to be my Last Will & Testament.

In witness whereof I herewith set my hand & seal this 19th day of December one thousand seven hundred & eighty two

Signed Sealed & Published In presence of -

At a Court held for Orange County on thursday 27th March 1783 this Last Will and Testament of Joshua Stapp Esc. being presented into court by Achilles Stapp executor therein named and approved by the oaths of John Wait and William Wait two of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of the said executor who made oath according to law certificate is granted him for obtaining probate thereof in due form whereupon he with Robert Miller his secretary entered into bond for the same in the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds ---

James Taylor

INDEX TO WILLS 1800-1900 MISSISSIPPI

WILL OF MARTHA STAPP HOWARD COUNTY, MISSOURI

In the name of God amen

I Martha Stapp of the County of Howard and State of Missouri being of sound mind and memory considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life do therefore make, ordain, publish and declare this to by my last will and testament. That is to say first after all my lawful debts are paid and discharged the remainder of my estate real and personal I give, bequest and dispose of as follows equally between my six children. Sarah E. Pickring, Martha Taylor, John G. Stapp, Rebecka King, Fannie Lindwill & Benjamin F. Stapp and to ----- heirs Matison Stapp, Milton Stapp, Mary Ann Birdsong, Joseph Stapp I will the sum of one dollar each. Likewise I make, constitute and appoint H. Dures to be executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made in witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my named and affix my seal this 4th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy seven.

Martha Stapp (Seal)

AFFIDAVIT STATE OF MISSOURI

County of Howard Benj. M. McC--- Administrator of the Estate of Darius Stapp deceased, being duly sworn, say that the said Darius Stapp dide intestate, and without leaving any will, at Howard County, MO January 14, A.D. 1877, leaving as his heirs, Polly Compton, Sister of Bates Co., MO. Heirs of Jas L. Stapp, decd. (Brother), Heirs of John Stapp, decd. (Brother). Heirs of William Stapp, decd. (Brother). Heirs of Elijah Stapp, decd. (Brother). Heirs of Elisabeth Lakey, decd. (Sister). Heirs of Margaret Lakey, decd. (Sister). And Heirs of Joseph Stapp, decd (Brother). And that he will make a perfect inventory of, and faithfully admisister all the Estate of the said Darius Stapp and pay the debts as far as the assets will extend and the law direct, and account for and pay all assets which shall come to his possession or knowledge.

PETITION FOR DOWER by ESTHER STAPP

State of Missouri In the Probate Court County of Vernon October Term 1868

Esther Stapp vs R.W. McNeil Pub Admr PETITION FOR DOWER in charge, and Heirs of Joseph Stapp deceased.

To the Hon. Albert Badger sole Judge of the Probate Court in and for the County aforesaid. Your petitioner Esther Stapp, would respectfully represent to your honor that she was lawfully married to Joseph Stapp about the year 1838. That she lived and co-habited with him from that time until his death which occurred about the year 1862.

That Joseph Stapp died seized of the following Real Estate to wit: NW. SE. & Lot No 1 NE 1/4 Sec 4 Town 35 R 30 & NW. SE 1/4 of Sec 9. Town 35 Range 30 containing in all one hundred sixty acres in which she is entitled to Dower.

That Dower is not been assigned to her within twelve month after the death of her husband nor at any time since.

That Joseph Stapp left as his heirs as follwos to wit: Esther Stapp, Widow who is entitled to one equal third part of said Real Estate, during her natural life. Margaret Ann Stapp 27 yrs age. Benjamin S. Stapp twenty five yrs age, resides in Kansas. Edgar W. Stapp 18 years of age. Mary E. Stapp 16 yrs of age. Joseph L. Stapp 12 yrs of age, Sarah F. Stapp 10 yrs of age and Laura E. Stapp 8 yrs who reside in Vernon County Mo.

That R. W. McNeil Public Admr. for Vernon County is in charge of the Est. of Joseph Stapp decd. Your petitioner therefore prays your honor that the parties defendant may be notified to appear and that her Dower may be administered and assigned to her according to the Statute made and provided in such case, and that Judgment may render for her costs in this behalf.

Esther Stapp by A.R. Patterson

PROBATE OF JOSEPH STAPP ESTATE

State of Missouri In the matter of County of Vernon Joseph Stapp's Estate

R.W. McNeil Public administrator for the County aforsaid says that to the best of his knowledge and belief the names of the heirs of Joseph Stapp deceased and the places of their residence are respectively as follows, Esther Stapp widow of the deceased, Margaret Ann Stapp, Benjamin S. Stapp, Edgar W. Stapp, Mary E. Stapp, Joseph L. Stapp, Sarah F. Stapp, and Laura E. Stapp, all of whom reside in the county of Vernon and State of Missouri, that the said Joseph Stapp died without a will that he will make a perfect inventory of and faithfully administrate all the estate of the deceased, pay the debts as far as the assets will extend and the law direct, account for and pay all assets which shall come to his possession or knowledge.

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 6th Public Adms day of March 1866, R.W. McNeil

J.L. Wilsoln Clk By S.C. Nall D.C.