LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF GEORGE DOWNS

I, George Downs of the County of Knox and State of Ohio, do make and publish this, my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say:

First, it is my will that my funeral expenses and all of my just debts be fully paid.

Secondly, I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Rebecca Downs the farm on which I now reside, situate in Monroe Township, Knox County and State aforesaid, containing two hundred acres, also the tract in the Township and County aforesaid adjoining part of the above described farm containing one hundred and two acres and one fourth of an acre during her natural life, and all the live stock, horses, cows, sheep, hogs by me now owned and kept thereon, also all household furniture and other items not particularly named and otherwise disposed of this will, during her natural life as aforesaid; and that at the death of my said wife I bequeath to my son, William Downs, the above described two hundred acres of land, together with fifty acres of the above described tract containing one hundred and two acres and one fourth of an acre. Also, one young horse colt, a bay three year old next spring, said colt to be accounted his property at the sealing of this will; and at the death of my said wife, as aforesaid, it is my will that the personal property aforesaid which may remain shall be sold and the money accruing from said sale to be equally divided between my five daughters, to wit: Elizabeth Davis, Margaret Webster, Hannah White, Nancy Popham and Eliza Downs. It is my will also that my said daughter, Eliza Downs, shall receive two hundred daughters in addition to the above when she becomes of age out of any monies or debts due to me at this time; and I will that the sum of four hundred dollars of monies due to me be left at [unreadable] and said interest to be drawn by my wife to be applied as she may think fit.

I give and bequeath to my three grandchildren, to wit: William Downs, the sum of fifty dollars; to Elizabeth Downs, the sum of seventy five dollars; and to Rebecca Downs, the sum of seventy five dollars when they shall respectively arrive of age. I give and bequeath to my son Benjamin Downs the sum of five dollars. In one year after my decease and the residue of my monies which may be owing or due to me, to be equally distributed between my five children, to wit: Elizabeth Davis, Margaret Webster, Hannah White, Nancy Popham and Eliza Downs, two years after my decease.

Lastly, I hereby constitute and appoint my wife and Jacob Davis, my son in law, to be the executors 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.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-seventh day of October, eighteen hundred and forty.

George Downs (signed and sealed)

Published and declared by the above named George Downs in presence of us, who at his request, have signed as witnesses to the same.

Witnesses:
Timothy Colopy
William Capel



Transcribed and submitted by Sheryl McClure

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