Will of James Crawford

Preble County, Ohio
Wills V.1, B-C 1808-1854
FS Film 564860 DGS 5868427


Image 555
page 389

James Crawford Will
The State of Ohio Preble County
In the Matter of James Crawfords Will
Be it remembered that heretofore to with before
the Probate Court within and for the County of Preble
and State of Ohio, held at the Court House in Eaton the
28th day of July Eighteen hundred and fifty four, by
John V. Campbell Judge of said Court the last will
and testament of James Crawford late of Gasper Township
in the County deceased was this day brought before
the Court and was proved by the oaths of Isaac Stephens
and Edward Laning two of the witnesses thereto whose
examinations were reduced to writing, and it
appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that the said
James Crawford at the time of executing said will
was of full age of sound mind and memory
and not under any restraint. It is ordered that
said will and the proof so reduced to writing be
recorded. And thereupon our motion of Nelson G. Crawford
the Executor in said will named. It is ordered that Letters
Testamentary be granted to the said Nelson G. Crawford
who thereupon gave in Undertaking with William
Duggins senr. and Nathaniel R Lockwood security
to the acceptance of the Court in the penalty of
Eight hundred Dollars conditioned according
to law whereupon it is ordered by the Court that
Joseph L. Campbell, John Halderman jr and
Thomas Stephens appraise the personal property
of said estate said will is in the words & figures
following to wit. I James Crawford, of Preble
County Ohio, do make and publish this my last
will and testament in the manner following
and first. It is my will that all my just debts
and funeral expenses be fully paid out of my estate
and secondly, I give devise and bequeth

Page 390

to my wife Sally Crawford the full use privilege and
benefit of all my estate both real and personal to be held
used, occupied and enjoyed by her during her natural life
for the purposes of affording her a comfortable and competent
support and maintainance during her said natural life and
for no other use or purpose. I give and bequeth to my
grand daughter Mary Ann Wikle fifty dollars to
be paid to her out of my estate within a reasonable
time after the death of my said wife. I give and
bequeth to my grand daughter Martha Jane Stoner
fifty Dollars to be paid to her out of my estate at the
time last above mentioned. And lastly, I give, devise
and bequeth to my son Nelson G Crawford all the residue and
remainder of my estate both real and personal of every kind
and description whatever to be held used occupied and
enjoyed by him and his heirs and assigns forever as an
absolute estate of inheritance subject however to the
incumbrance of the life estate herein created in favor
of my said wife and the two legacies herein before mentioned
to my said grand daughters. I wish it distinctly understood
that at the decease of my said wife and on payment of the
two legacies above mentioned my said son Nelson is to
have all of my estate and property, real and personal
of every kind and description whatever as I have said
before and I do hereby appoint my said son Nelson
G. Crawford Executor of this my last will and
testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal this 25th day of October 1851
James Crawford (seal)
Signed and sealed in the presence of us: I Stephens E Laning
said testimony is in the word and figures following to wit
The State of Ohio Preble County Probate Court of Preble
County July 28th AD 1854. Personally appeared in open Court
Isaac Stephens & Edward Laning of lawful age, who being duly
sworn depose and say that the paper writing now exhibited in Court
is the last will and testament of James Crawford late of Preble County deceased
That they saw him sign and heard him acknowledge the same; that they
signed the same as witnesses in his presence and at his request and that at the time
of executing the same, he was of full age, of sound mind and memory, and not
under any restraint. I, Stephen E Laning, Sworn & subscribed
in open Court the 28th day of July AD 1854, John W. Campbell, Probate Judge
And afterward to wit: before the Probate Court aforesaid, to wit
on the 3rd day of October AD 1854 Sally Crawford widow
of James Crawford late of this county deceased this day
appeared in open court and made her election to take
the provisions of her deceased husbands will in lien
of her dower.