THE WILL OF EDWARD MORGAN, 1798-1872

Submitted by Linda Kent.

70 

December 4th 1871

In the name of God, Amen, I Edward Morgan of Richland Township, County 
of Ohio, and State of West Virginia being in good bodily health, and of 
sound and disposing mind and memory calling to mind the graitey and 
uncertainty of human life and being desirous of settling my worldly 
affairs and directing how the estates with which it has pleased God to 
bless me. Shall be disposed of after my deceased while I have strength 
and capacity so to do. Do make and publish this my last will and 
testament, hereby revoking and making null and void, all other last 
wills and testaments by me heretofore me. And first I commend my 
immortal being to him who gave it, and my body to the earth. And as to 
my worldly estate, and all the property real and personal, is mixed, if 
which I shall die seized and possessed, or to which I shall be entitled 
at the time of my deceased. I device bequeath and dispose thereof in 
the manner following – to wit- my will is that all my just debts and 
funeral charges shall by my executor hereinafter named, be paid out of 
my estate, as soon after my decease as shall by him be found 
convenient.

My will is that after my decease, the farm in which I now reside, 
containing one hundred and seventy seven acres together with all my 
personal is mixed property, excepting such as is hereinafter otherwise 
devised shall by my executor be sold and the proceeds of such fate is 
sales shall be disbursed to my children as follows – to wit:

1st I give devise and bequeath to my youngest son Abram McC Morgan (son 
of my wife Margaret) Fifteen hundred Dollars ($1500) being the amount 
inherited by his mother from her fathers estate. Also six beds and 
beding together with bed clothes and the same number of bedstands.
All the rest and residue of the proceeds of the sale of my property 
Real Personal or mixed shall be divided equally between my children 
share and share alike.

2nd I give to my oldest son Samuel H. Morgan one share subject to a 
deduction of four hundred and seventy-two dollars ($472) being the 
amount he has already received.

3rd I give will or bequeath to my oldest daughter Rebecca Jane Barnes, 
wife of Wm Barnes one equal share subject to a deduction of one hundred 
($100) it being the amount she has already received.

4th I will devise or bequeath to my second daughter Emily Ruth 
Courtwright (wife of Edward Courtwright) one share.

5th I will devise or bequeath to my third son Jacob Hamalin Morgan one 
equal share subject to a deduction of three hundred and fifteen dollars 
($315) which he has already received.

6th I will devise or bequeath to my daughter Susannah Tipton, wife of 
Nelson F. Tipton, one equal share.

Lastly, I do nominate and appoint my said son Abram McC Morgan to be 
the executor of this my last will and testament.

In testimony which I the said Edward Morgan have this my last and 
testament contained on one sheet of paper, subscribed, my name and 
affixed my seal this fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one 
thousand eight hundred and seventy one (1871)

Edward Morgan  (Seal)

The above instrument consisting of one sheet of paper was at the date 
thereof declared to us by the Testator Edward Morgan to be his last 
will and testament. Signed in our presence and we at his request sign 
our names hereto as attesting witnesses

Witnesses:  Wm H. Caldwell-Short Creek, Ohio Co.
Jos W. Morgan- Short Creek, Ohio Co.

West Virginia, Ohio County
Recording Office July 29, 1872

A paper writing bearing date the 4th day of Dec 1871 (the above) 
pertaining to be the last will and testament of Edward Morgan dec'd 
late of said county was this date presented to the Recorder of said 
Ohio County in his office for probate. And it appearing by the oaths of 
William H. Caldwell and Joseph W. Morgan the subscribing witnesses to 
said paper writing that the said Edward Morgan signed and acknowledged 
said writing as and for his last will and testament in the presence of 
them the said witnesses, present at the same time and that the said 
witnesses at the request of the said Edward Morgan and in his presence 
subscribed the said writing as attesting witnesses thereto. And further 
that then saw Edward Morgan when he signed and acknowledges the said 
writing was in sound mind and under no constraint. And it further 
appearing that the said Joseph W. Morgan and W.H. Caldwell are 
competent witnesses. Said paper writing was thereupon admitted to 
probate and ordered to be recorded as and for the last will and 
testament of Edward Morgan, dec'd

Rob't B. Woods  Recorder