The transcription of the will follows the images.

In the name of God Amen, I Joseph Campbell of the Township of Center, County of Indiana and State of Pennsylvania being impressed with a Sense of the uncertainty of human life but being of Sound and disposing mind and memory do hereby make this my Last Will and Testament and first all Just debts and funeral expenses being paid I give and bequeath the remainder of my personal estate and effects (except my silver watch) to my wife Rebecca to be at her Sole disposal. my silver watch above excepted I give and bequeath to my Daughter Sarah Ann and further I give and devise in ____ to my wife Rebecca without power to Sell or alieviate my Real estate on Which we now reside with the improvements thereto belonging to be held and managed by her for her Sole use and benefit during her natural life and further I direct that upon the decease of my wife Rebecca my Real estate shall be disposed of and the proceeds distributed as follows. To my Daughter Sarah Ann Two Hundred and fifty Dollars and the remainder of said proceeds of Real Estate shall be divided equally among my three Daughters viz: Sarah ann.  Rebecca Jane and Nancy Ellen and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint William McCrea of Blacklick Township Executor of this my last Will and Testament In Witness Whereof I Joseph Campbell the said Testator have to this my last Will and Testament Set my hand and Seal this 21st day of December AD 1872

Joseph Campbell (Seal)

Signed, Sealed, published and declared by the said Testator Joseph Campbell as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto

John Allison
W H McMullen

Indiana County SS Be it Remembered that on the 29th day of May 1879 before me Register of Wills for Said County was duly proved and approved the foregoing Instrument of writing as and for the Last Will and Testament of Joseph Campbell decd who died on the 16th day of May 1879 at 9 o’clock PM by the _____ of John H Allison and W H McMullen the subscribing Witnesses thereto Wm McCrea the executor named therein being dead + the widow having ____ her right Same day Letters Cum Testemento Annexo issued to John Davis + Sarah A. Campbell they having given bond to the Commonwealth in the Sum of Fifteen Hundred Dollars Conditioned According to law with W. H. McMullen and John H. Allison as Security. Same day administrators Sworn according to law. (See will + probate filed)

D R. Lewis Register

On Christmas Eve, while my kids were busily playing with their new toys (they each opened one present early), I spent a few hours scanning in documents.  Honestly, I barely even made a dent in the pile – but it felt good to at least start sifting through all of it.

Among the documents in this pile was a will for my husband’s 3rd great-grandfather, James H. Leonard (1796-1892).  It’s been sitting there for at least five years. 

Well, now it will see the light of day and be posted for the world to see!!!  I’m only transcribing the actual will, below the images.

Do you have any important documents that haven’t seen the light of day for years?  Share them!!!

The last Will and Testament of James H. Leonard of the Town of Newfane in the County of Niagara + State of New York.

I, James H. Leonard considering the uncertainty of this mortal life + being of sound mind and memory do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner + form following that is to say:

First, I give and bequeath unto my two sons Dewitt C. Leonard + Henry B. Leonard + unto my daughter Eliza Jane Sawyer the sum of two hundred dollars each, to be paid to them from the proceeds of the real or personal estate I should be possessed of at the time of my decease + to be paid to them within a reasonable time after my decease for their use forever.

Second, All the rest and residue of my real + personal estate not herein before given + bequeathed after payment of debts, funeral expenses + e I give unto my five children Dewitt C. Leonard, Henry B. Leonard, Eliza J. Sawyer, Roxanna Spencer, + Maria Peck to be equally divided between them, that they share + share alike for their use forever and I do here by constitute and appoint Augustus B. Kendall of the Town of Newfane, sole executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all other heretofore made wills by me.  Witness my hand + seal the twenty eighth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and eighty.

James H. Leonard (Seal)

The above instrument consisting of one half sheet of paper was now here subscribed by James H. Leonard the testator in the presence of each of us + was at the same time declared by him to be his last Will and Testament + we at his request signed our names there to as attesting witnesses.

Anthony McKee residing in Newfane Niagara County NY
Martha A. McKee residing in Newfane Niagara County NY

I love how clear this document is – nothing is faded, it’s written in large lettering, and it’s so easy to read! If only all of the wills I have could be so simple.

The only thing that disappoints me about this will is that he doesn’t list out his children – he simply wanted an equal division amongst his children.

The transcription follows the images.  I hope there is another Wade researcher out there that will find this useful!

In the Name of God Amen I Jeremiah Wade of Bedford County being verry Sick and Weak in Body but of perfect mind and memory, Thanks be to God for it – and knowing that it is appointed Once for all men to Die do make and Ordain this my Last Will and Testament, first I give and Recomend my Sole into the hands of Almighty God that gave, and my Body to the Earth to be Buried in a Desent Christian manner at the Discretion of my Exetors. and for my Worldly Estate wherewith it hath plesed God to Bless me with in this Life I give and Bequeath as followeth, But first my Will and Desire is that my Just Debts Shall all be Paid and then an Equal Division made among my Children and I doe appoint Richard Ballanger, James Hilton and Natha N. Hilton to be my Exetors. to pay my Debts + Receive what is due to me and this I ordain my Last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I hearunto I have Set my hand Seal this Eight Day of July 1772

Teste
Abraham Ervine
Jesse Hilton
Elizabeth Mitchell}              Jeremiah Wade [seal]

_________________________________________

At a Court held for Bedford County September 28th 1772 This Last Will and Testament of Jeremiah Wade Dec’d was Proved by the oaths of Abraham Ervine and Jesse Hilton and Ordered to be Recorded, and on the Motion of James Hylton one of the Executors therein Named who made Oath thereto Certificate is Granted him for obtaining Probate thereof in Due form, giving Security.  Whereupon he Together with Guy Smith his Security entered into and Acknowledged their Bond in the Penalty of Two Hundred and fifty Pounds for the Said James Hyltons due and faithfull administration of the Said Decedents Estate and Performance of his Will, Liberty being Reserved to the other Exers. named in the said Will to Join in the Probate thereof when they shall think fit.
Teste
Jas Steptoe Cl.: [?]

Philip’s wife was named Johanna, but I believe she was his second wife, as his first wife was Margaret.  His children were James Paul, Michael, Mary, and Edward Charles.  He lived in Alton, Madison County, Illinois and ran a grocery store.

Book 2, July 1829 – April 1848
Wayne County, Indiana
Page 150

Will of Barnaby Boswell

To whom it may concern be it known that I, Barnaby Boswell of the county of Wayne and State of Indiana, being of sound and disposing mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and disanuling all wills by me heretofore made ratifying and confirming this and this alone in manner and form following to wit.

First, that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my estate.

And secondly, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Jane, all my estate real and personal during her natural life or so long as she may continue to be my widow.

And thirdly, I give and bequeath unto my son Levi thirty five acres of land off the east and of the tract of land whereon I now live, it being a part of the SouthEast quarter of Section two, Township fourteen and range one west.

Fourthly, I give and bequeath unto my son, Hiram, all the remainder of the above-described land.

Fifthly, I give and bequeath unto my son William, twenty five dollars.

Sixthly, I give and bequeath unto my grandson Levi Boswell one hundred dollars.

Seventhly, I will that all my property not above disposed of let it consist of what it may, be sold and the proceeds thereof be equally divided between my eight children, namely Levi Boswell, Elizabeth Stafford, William Boswell, Jane White, Delilah White, Selah Barton, Hiram Boswell and Lurana Barton.

And lastly, I appoint my friend Jeremiah Cox executor of my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this ninth day of the third month in this year of Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.

Barnaby Boswell

Signed and Sealed in the presence of us

Isaac Commons

Luzarus ?

I found this will in the Keokuk County Courthouse in Sigourney, Iowa.  It was file No. 1187, in a large bundle of loose papers.  I don’t think that the clerk was very happy that I wanted copies of them all, but oh well- that’s their job, right?

I Frederick Sanches Tereso of the County of Keokuk and State of Iowa do make this my Last will and Testament.
first, I will that all of my just Debts and Funeral Expenses be paid out of my personal property and all of the ballance of my Property both Personal and Real Except that hereafter Excepted I do will and bequeath to my wife Matilda Jane to have and to hold During her Lifetime and at her Death then what is Remaining of my property is to be divided Equally among my children Milton F, Helen Handelman, Nancy, Sheridan, Viola Theodore + George Oscar and if my son Milton Shall Stay on the presmises and assist his mother in managing and caring for the Property untill the Youngest one of my children Shall become of age then it is my will that in addition to having an Equal Share with the other heirs above named he is to have the North East quarter of the North West quarter and the North West quarter of the North East quarter of Section Twenty Five (25) Township Seventy four North of Range No thirteenwest, which he is to have for the Services that he is Required to perform as above and Should he fail to perform Said Services as above Stated then all of my property Remaining at the Death of my wife including the above Described Land to be Equally Dividing among my heirs above named and Should my wife Die before my youngest child becomes of age then it is my will that my Son Milton manage and controll my property Remaining at that time untill the youngest heir becomes of age + I do choose my wife Matilda Jane to act as my Executor with my Son Milton has her assistant with of which shall be Required to give bonds and it is my wish and will that my property be divided by my Heirs mutually among themselves without Having the Same to go into Court Witness my Hand this 24th day of August 1881
Fred Sanchez Tereso
witnessed by
Jos Merryfield
___________

The will was written a few days before he died.  I have scanned it in here and will transcribe it below.

Know all men that I John Robertson of Washington County Iowa being of sound mind and Memory do make and publish this my last will + testament as follows to wit
Item 1st
It is my will that all my Just debts be first paid.
Item 2nd
I give and bequeath to my son Alexander C. Robertson all that part of the North East quarter of section No. thirty four (34) in Township No seventy five (75) North of Range No. (8) Eight west lying East of the railroad also the timber lot commencing at the North West corner of the North East quarter of teh south west quarter of L__ No 18 in Township No 74 north of Range No Eight west thence south 44 rods thence East 40 rods thence North 44 rods thence west 40 rods to the place of beginning
Item 3rd
It is my will that the portion of the North East quarter of section No thirty four (34) in Township No seventy five (75) North of Range No 8 west lying west of the rail road also the timber lot beginning at the south East corner of the North west quarter of the South East quarter of section 29 in Township 74 North of Range No seven (7) West together with my personal property be sold and out of the proceeds there shall first be paid to my daughter Mary Glenn the sum of four hundred dollars + the remainder after paying expenses of executing this will shall be equally divided between my daughter Mary Glenn and the heirs of my deceased daughter Rachel A Lynn
Item 4th
It is my desire that Walter McKinnie act as executor of this my last will + testament
In testamony wherof I have hereto set my hand this 25th day Feb AD 1879
John Robertson [signed]
We the undersigned in the presence of Each other and the above signed testator have at his request signed as wittnesses of the above proper by him declred in our presence to be his last will +testament this 25th day of Febuary 1879

Walter McKinnie [signed]
Joshua Ca__ [signed]

State of Iowa SS
Washington County} J.J. A Cunningham
Clerk of the Circuit
Court in and for said County to hereby certify that on the 16th day of September 1879 before the Circuit Court in and for said county the forgoing instrument of [?] was duly proven and admitted to Probate as the last Will and Testament of John Robertson deceased.
Witness my Signature and Seal of office this 30th day of September 1879.
J A Cunningham Clerk Circuit Court

Nov 23 – 1934

To whom it may concern I wish all of you to know that I wish my two youngest sons George Agee 3511 – 43rd St Sioux City Iowa and John Agee of Delphos Iowa to be the administrators of my estate. My children that have paid money which I have credited on my book or that holds notes that have not been credited on my book shall be paid and after my other debts have been paid and after my property has been sold the money remaining shall be evenly divided between my eight children signed

Ari Agee

At the request of Ari Agee and in the presence of us we hereby subscribe our names as witnesses to the above instrument.

Dated at Mt. Ayr Iowa, this 28th day of November 1934.

W. T T____  Witness

Jorgsen Dolbey Witness

And here also is the Certificate of Proof of Will:

He was born in 1705 in Virginia and died in 1766. He lived in Bedford County, Virginia.
Here is the will of Thomas Moorman, transcribed to the best of my ability.  If you have anything that you think needs to be corrected please let me know.  I am not perfect.

In the name of God Amen I Thomas Moreman of Bedford County Being in perfect Helth + Memory do make Constitute + Ordain This my Last Will + Testament in Manner and form following Item I send unto my Beloved Wife Rachel Moreman During her Life the plantation on where I now Live with the Stocks of all Kinds also all my House Hold of every Sort (Except Such as I Shall hear after Set apart for my Children) also Five Negroes,  ?, Sambo, Two Molls, Dinah ???  Item I give unto my Daughter Mary Johnson one Negro Girl named Sarah to her and her Heirs forever + whatever she processes that ever was mine  Item I give unto my Son Pleasent Moreman + my Son Charles Moreman four Hundred Acres of Land on Permunkey River in Louisa County to them and Their Heirs forever to be Equally Devided betwixt them by men Appointed also Each of them a Feather Bed and Furniture Item I give unto Daughter Aggothy Johnson one Negro boy Named James to her and her Heirs forever  What ever Els She percesses that ever was mine Itam, I give unto my Son Pleasent Moreman + my Son Charles Moreman four Hundred Acres of Land on Permunkey River in Louisa County to them and Their Heirs forever to be Equilly Devided betwixt them by men Appointed also Each of them a Feather Bed and Furniture  Item I give unto Daughter Aggothy Johnson one Negro boy Named James to her and her Heirs forever What ever Els she percesses that ever was mine Item I give unto my Son Clerk [?] Moorman Two Negroes Peter + Glaster to him and his Heirs for ever one Horse and Sadle one Feather Bed + Ferniture Item I give unto my son Cilley Moreman Dick + Fillis to him and his Heirs forever one Horse and Sadle one Bed + Ferniture Item I give unto my Daughter Rachel Moreman one Negro Girl Jude to her and her Heirs forever one Horse and Sadle one Feather Bed + Furniture Item I give unto my son Andrew Moreman Moreman after his mothers Deceas the plantation on where I now Live with Two Hundred Acres of Land to him and his Heirs forever one Horse and Sadle one Feather Bed and furniture and it is my Desire that if any of my Children Die without Heir that their Estate be Equally Devided aMongst the Rest have given my son Zachariah + Micajah Moreman what I Entented at present I shall Say no more of them yet and it is my further Desire that after my Wife’s Decease that my Son Micajah have Twenty pounds and my Daughter Aggothy and my Daughter Rachel Ten pounds apease Raised of my Estate before any Devision and Afterwards the Rest to be Equally Divided amongst them all male + femail and I do Appoint my Wife + Zachriah + Micajah Executors to this my Last Will and Testament given under my hand + Seal this Twenty Second of July 1765

Thomas Moreman, S.S.

Teste

Henry Tate William Anthony

Christopher Anthony

At a Court held for Bedford County November 25th 1766

The within Last Will +Testament of Thomas Moorman Deceased was Exhibited in Court + proved by the Oath of Henry Tate and Christopher Anthony Witness’s Thereto and Ordered to be Recorded and on the Motion of the within Rachal Moorman Zachariah Moorman + Micajah Moorman Executrix + Executors therein Named they having made Oath According to Law and they having first Entred into [apparently I didn't scan the last page of the will so it ends here for now]

There is a handwritten note on the side of the page that states that the word “son” was added on March 4, 1946 by a clerk, but I’m having  a hard time reading why.  I think that it was in the original, but was left out of the copy.  It appears that “son” was added in front of Cilley.

I have such a hard time reading my transcription because of the lack of punctuation and the various spelling  used!

I love that I have this document though.  It blows my mind that his will was written in 1765.  Before the Revolutionary War.  Before we were a country.  That’s a long time ago…  246 years ago. I suppose I can forgive the spelling  mistakes.

Here is his will and probate. I have transcribed it below the scanned images. I appreciated the nice large handwriting.

Will of Thomas J. Ridgway, Deceased.
In the name of the Benevolent Father of all: I Thomas J. Ridgway of Washington Township, Harrison County, Ohio, do make and publish, this my last Will and Testament.
Item 1st I give and bequeath to my son Jonathan S. Ridgaway’s heirs the sum of Two Hundred dollars ($200)
Item 2nd, I give, devise and bequeath to each of my daughters Eliza Ann Kinsey, Hannah Stafford, Mary Spencer, Phebe Smith, Anna Spencer and Alvira Kirk the sum of two hundred dollars severally.
Item 3rd. In consideration of my son Thomas E. Ridgaway keeping me and my wife during our natural lifes furnishing us, so long as we or either of us may live, all of the necessaries and usual comforts of life. I give, devise and bequeath to him my said son Thomas E. Ridgaway the farm on which I now reside situate in the Township of Washington, aforesaid, containing about one hundred and twenty and eight and one half acres, and all the Stock household goods, furniture, provisions and other goods and chattels which may be thereon at the time of my decease and his paying the several Two hundred dollars to each of my other children
Item 4th. I hereby nominate and appoint my son Thomas E. Ridgaway Executor of this my last Will and testament.
In testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Eleventh day of May in the year 1867.
Thomas J. Ridgaway (seal)
Samuel Knox

In the state of Ohio.
Harrison County.
Probate Court.
Personally appeared in open Court Thomas Green and Samuel Knox the subscribing witnesses to the last Will and testament Thomas J. Ridgaway, deceased, who being duly sworn, according to law to speak the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth in relation to the execution of the said Will, depose and say that the paper before them purporting to be the last Will and testament of Thomas J. Ridgaway, now deceased is the will of the deceased, that they were present at the execution of the same at the request of the Testator, subscribed their names to teh same as witnesses, in his presence, and that they saw the said Thomas J. Ridgaway, deceased, sign and seal said Will and heard him acknowledge the same to be his last will and testament; that he said Thomas J. Ridgaway at the time of making, signing and sealing said will, was of legal age, of sound and disporing midn and memory and not under any undue or unlawful restraints whatsoever.
Samuel Knox
Thomas Green

Affirmed to and subscribed in open Court This 11th day of February A.D. 1879 Amou Semmon, Probate Judge.

In the matter of the last will and testament of Thomas J. Ridgaway, Dec.
Probate Court, Harrison County, Ohio, Feby 11th 1879. The last will and testament of Thomas J. Ridgaway, deceased, late of said county was this day produced in open court, And it appearing that all the next of kin of the deceased residing in the state have been notified of the time and place of hearing the application for the Probate thereof would be heard this day which form of notice is approved by the Court. Thereupon came Samuel Knox and Thomas Green the subscribing witnesses To said Willa nd in open Court on oath testified to the due execution of the said Will which testimony was reduced to writing and signed by said witnesses and it appearing by said testimony that said Will was duly executed and attested and that said Thomas J. Ridgaway as the he executed said Will was of legal age of sound mind and memory and not under any restraint. It is thereupon order by the Court that said Will and is now admitted to Probate and Record in this Court. And that said will and testimony be Recorded, Amon Semmon, Probate Judge

Clark County IN Will Book E, pages 43-45
Know all men by these presents that I Alexander D. Neely of the County of Clark and State of Indiana, being in good health, and in my usual state of mind do hereby make this my last will and testament.
First I hereby appoint James Neely my son my Executor. I hereby will to my daughter Elizabeth Snyder, the sum of Two Hundres dollars, in money in be paid to her out of my estate, by my said Executor. I also hereby will to my daughter Lucinda Lewman, Two Hundred dollars in money to be paid by my said Executor out of my estate. I do hereby will my daughter Sarah Stierheim, the sum of Two Hundred dollars, to be paid by said Executor out of my estate. I also will to my daughter Mary Johnson, the sum of Two Hundred dollars to be paid by the said Executor out of my estate. I also will to my son James Neely, the sum of Two Hundred dollars, out of the estate. I do also will my grandson John Williams, the sum of Fifty dollars provided he comes forward and proves his heirship, and it is my will further that my wife Sarah Neely is to be well taken care of and provided for during her natural life and it is my Will that James my Executor, shall see she is provided for properly and in a proper manner.
It is also my will that all my funeral expenses be paid by said Executor and whatever balance of money may be over the amount I have herein specified and willed and order I wish and will that my Executor James Neely to have descresionary power over and to disburse it in a proper manner amongst the members of my family as it would seem right and just,–as withness my hand and seal this 26 day of Octiber 1861.
Alexander D. Neely
Subscribed by the testator in our presence and by us subscribed as withnessed in his presence and at his request Oct. 26, 1861.
C.P. Ferguson
J.D. Rodgers