Will of William Freeman

NOTE: There are two separate wills in this file, from two separate William Freeman’s and different: scroll down to see the next one.

Book 1, Page 5– Wills-Lawrence County, Ohio-1846-1860

In the name of God, Amen.

I, William Freeman, of the County of Lawrence, State of Ohio, do make and publish this my last will and testament.

1. I give and devise to my beloved wife in lieu of dower, all of my estate, both real and personal, which may beat my decease. With the following limitations viz, she is to pay all of my just debts, and as my son, W.D. Freeman, now lives on the part of my farm, he may continue to occupy the same as long as may be agreeable to my wife, my son, M.A. and my daughter, Elizabeth Freeman and it is my wish that my said son, M.A., and daughter, Elizabeth, should continue to live with my said wife and assist her in the management of said property while they continue unmarried, as long as may be agreeable to them or to her, my said wife. And I further give and devise to my grandson, William Edward Tatum, the colt which I now possess.

2. At the decease of my said wife, I devise and bequeath unto my daughter, Elizabeth, fifty dollars, and to my son, Moses A., the like sum to be raised from the proceeds of my estate and remainder of my estate and property, if any, to be divided equally among all my children (or their heirs) viz Polly Adkins-David P.-Elizabeth-George-William D.-Moses A. Freeman and Sarah Ferguson together with my grandchildren, W.E. & Virginia Tatum. Share and share alike, giving to my two grandchildren as aforesaid only one equal share.

3. I hereby nominate and appoint my wife, Sarah Freeman, my son, Moses A., and daughter, Elizabeth Freeman, executors of this my Last Will and Testament to carry in effect the foregoing provisions, and I do further appoint Moses A. and Elizabeth Freeman as trustees to manage the property which may be coming to my two grandchildren, W.E. and Virginia Tatum during their minority.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 21st—day of October in the year 1846.

Signed and acknowledged by said, William William Freeman

Freeman as his Last Will and Testament (his mark)X

In the presence and signed by us to his presence.

B. Johnston

John Johnston

State of Ohio, Lawrence County, S.S. -On this 23rd. day of October AD 1849, personally appeared in open court Benjamin Johnston and John Johnston, the subscribing witnesses to the Last Will and Testament of William Freeman, deceased, and being duly sworn according to the law, depose and say that they were present and saw the deceased sign his name to said will, that the contents were made known to him, that he was under no restraint at the time, that he was over twenty-one years of age at the time of said signing, that he was of sound mind and memory, that the said defendants signed the same in his presence and at his request, and he signed the same as his Last Will and Testament.

Ben Johnston
John Johnston

Sworn to in Open Court, Oct. 23, 1849

Lewis Anderson (?) Clerk

P. J. Necamp (?) Deputy

(names not readable)

The Last Will and Testament of William Freeman, late of Lawrence County, deceased, was this day produced in open court. Benjamin and John Johnston, in the subscribing in open court, testify to the due execution of said will, which testimony was reduced to writing and by them respectively subscribed and filed with said will and in appearing to the court by said testimony that said will be duly attested and executed, and that the said testator at the time of executing the same was of full age, of sound mind and memory and not under any restraint. It is ordered that this will and testimony be recorded.

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Last Will and Testament of William Freeman
Submitted by Kay Brown

Lawrence county, Ohio Will Book 12 pages 274-276
WILL of W. F. FREEMAN, deceased

The following instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of W. F. Freeman, late of the Village of South Point in this county deceased, was produced in open court and offered for probate on the 27th day of January 1931 as follows:

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of William F. Freeman

In the Name of the Benevolent Father of All:

I, the said William F. Freeman, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, considering the uncertainty of continuance in life, and desiring to make such disposition of my worldly estate as I deem best, do make, publish and declare, this to be my last will and testament; hereby revoking and annulling any and all former will or wills whatsoever by me made.

First: I desire all my just debts and funeral expenses to be paid as soon as possible after my demise.

Second: I give and bequeath and devise all my property, both real and personal, of whatsoever kind and nature, and whosoever situated, to my two sons, Harry Freeman, and Kyle Freeman, and my five daughters, Lou Legg, Rebecca Pierce, Ada Milem, Sallie Blakeman and Blanche Gibson, share and share alike, absolutely and in fee simple.

I nominate and appoint Clayton Freeman of North Kenova, Ohio, to be the executor of this will.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifth day of February in the year one thousand nine hundred and twenty-nine (1929). William F. Freeman (Seal) X His Mark Signed, sealed, and acknowledged by William F. Freeman as and for his last will and testament, in our presence, and subscribed and attested by us, as witnesses, in his presence, and at his request.

Reatha J. Stone
Lizzie C. Milem

Application for Probate of Will was filed on January 27, 1931, at Probate Court, Lawrence County, Ohio.

To the Probate Court of said County:
Your petitioner respectfully represents that W. F. Freeman, late a resident of the Village of South Point in said County, died on or about 19 January A.D. 1931, leaving an instrument in writing, herewith produced, purporting to be his last Will and Testament, That the said W. F. Freeman died leaving the following named persons his only next of kin, to wit:

Your petitioner offers said Will for Probate and prays that a time may be fixed for one proving of the same and that said above-named person resident in this State might be notified according to the law of the pungency of said proceedings.

The State of Ohio, Lawrence County.
The above-named, being first duly sworn, says that the facts stated and allegations in the foregoing application contained are true as she verily believes.

Sallie Blakeman
Sworn to before me and signed in my presence, this 27 day of January 1931.
Helen P. Clarke Probate Judge
By Mattie E. Miller, Deputy Clerk

Entry was made upon the Journal as follows: Probate Court, Lawrence County, Ohio, February 25, 1931. This day an instrument of writing purporting to be the Last will and testament of W. F. Freeman, late of South Point, in this county, deceased, was produced in open court and offered for probate and application made to admit the same to probate.

It is now ordered that due notice of the filing of said will and of the application to admit the same to probate and record be given to all the next of kin of said testator or resident of the State of Ohio.