Jay County, Indiana, Vol 1, pp 20-21
I, William G. Hopkins of sound mind and disposing memory in view of the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death do make and constitute this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
Item 1st
It is my will that out of my Estate all my just debts be paid and all funeral expenses.
Item 2nd
After the payment of said debts and funeral expenses I do give and Bequeath to my beloved wife Caroline Hopkins all my Estate of whatever kind or description both real and personal for the support of herself and my Minor children namely Mary, Walter G. and Emma C. Hopkins during their Minority or until Emma shall reach her eighteenth year after which time if my said wife shall be still living and remains my Widow the whole shall be hers during her natural life or widowhood. But at her death or Marriage the whole remaining Estate Shall be equally divided between all my children namely Benjamin C., Barclay B., Mary, Walter G., and Emma C. Hopkins equally Share and Share alike except that Mary, Walter and Emma who are now minors having as yet received nothing shall have each the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars in Money or property as they may choose at the time of their Severally coming of age. When the girls arrive at the age of eighteen and Walter twenty one years and if for any reason the Estate Should be divided before said minors arrive at the aforesaid age, the Said one hundred and fifty dollars Shall be added to their Share each. But if Mary She being the oldest of my Minor children should still remain unmarried after She arrives at the age of eighteen years She Shall still be entitled to her maintenance in common with my other children who are now Minors until the final division of the Estate.
Item 3rd
And it is my wish and desire that my business be carried on nearly as I have done if my wife and said Minor children can manage it. If not the whole or a part of my Effects May be sold and the proceeds invested in a Safe and comfortable manner for the use and purposes above named.
Item 4th
I do hereby appoint as My Executor my beloved wife Caroline Hopkins and my Brother Hezekiah H. Hopkins who shall also be the guardian of my Minor children in testamony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed my seal this 8th day of May, A. D. 1867.
William G. Hopkins (Seal)
Attest: J. M. Henry
W. W. Hartley
State of Indiana
Jay County SS
We the undersigned do hereby certify the foregoing will of William G. Hopkins was signed and sealed in our presence and that we signed the same as witnesses in his presence and in the presence of each other the 8th day of May, 1867.
J. M. Henry
W. W. Hartley
State of Indiana, Jay County SS
Be it remembered that on the 30th day of January 1869 came William W. Hartley one of the enscribing witnesses to the within and foregoing last will and testament of William G. Hopkins late of said county deceased formally appeared before D. C. Baker Clerk of the court of Common Pleas of Jay County in the State of Indiana and being duly sworn by the Clerk of the said Court upon his oath declared and testified as follows that is to say that on the 8th day of May 1867 he saw the said William G. Hopkins sign his name to said instrument in writing as and for his last will and testament and that this deponent at the same time heard the said William G. Hopkins declare the said instrument in writing to be his last will and testament and that the said instrument in writing was as the same time at the request of the said William G. Hopkins and with his consent attested and subscribed by the said William W. Hartley in the presence of the said testator as subscribing witness thereto and that the said William G. Hopkins was at the time of the signing and subscribing of the said instrument in writing as aforesaid of full age (that is more than twenty one years of age) and of sound and disposing mind and memory and not under any coercion or restraint as the said deponent verily believes and further deponent says not.
W. W. Hartley
Sworn to and subscribed by the said W. W. Hartley before me D. C. Baker Clerk of said court at Portland the 30th day of January 1869.
In attestation whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said
(Seal) D. C. Baker, Clerk
This file was last updated on 7/15/2004.
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