Outer page:

Will of William Martin
Filed June 25th 1888
F. G. Welton, clk.
(this section is in the handwriting of Mr. Welton)

Book D-90 (unknown who wrote this)

The notice instrument held to be duly proven as the last will and
Testament of William Martin, deceased.
Admitted to probate and ----- (illegible word) recorded March 1st, 1889
Jno. P. Hand (surname difficult to read), Judge

2nd Page:

Signed sealed published and declared by the said William Martin as and
for his last will and testament who signed the same in our presence and
in his presence  and in the presence of each other at his request have
submitted our names as witnesses here.  The signature of said testator
was made by Charles K. Ladd directing the hand of said William Martin at
his request-said Martin being unable to write his name thereto. 
Charles K. Ladd of Kewanee, Ill (signature)
Joseph Wright of Kewanee, Ill (signature)

PROOF OF WILL:
STATE OF ILLINOIS}
County of Henry} s.s.
                                               We, Chas.  K. Ladd and
Joseph Wright and each of us do solemnly swear that we were well
acquainted with William Martin during his lifetime; that he was above
the age of 21 years, and a resident of Henry County and the State of
Illinois; that the instrument to which this is attached was on the day
and date thereof duly signed, sealed, published and declared by the
Testator therein named, as his Last Will and Testament; that we believe
the said Testator was at that time of sound mind and memory and that we
then and there, at his request, and in his presence, and in the presence
of each other, did sign our names thereto as witnesses to the execution
thereof.

Subscribed and sworn on this 29th day of June A.D. 1888 
in open Court before me.
                            F. G. Welton (signature)
                            Clerk
                                                                                                      
Chas K. Ladd (signature)
                                                                                                      
Joseph Wright (signature)


The Will: (handwritten, not on a legal form)

I William Martin of Kewanee Henry County Illinois do hereby make publish
and disclose this my last will and testament in manner and form
following towit (sic):

First:  It is my will that all my just debts and funeral expenses be
fully paid.

Second:  After the payment of my said debts and funereal expenses I give
devise and bequeath all of my property real, personal or mixed, to my
wife Martha to have  hold and enjoy the rents issues and profits thereof
so long as she may live or remain my widow and no longer and at her
death or marriage I give devise and bequeath all of the principal of my
said estate to my children Henry J., John, Martha James (*could be Jones
or James); William; George; Thomas; Rose A; and Elizabeth to be held and
enjoyed by them absolutely share and share alike except that my son
Henry J. is to be charged with one hundred and sixty dollars and my son
John is to be charged with three hundred dollars which I have already
paid to them and which I wish to be considered  as advancements to
them.  

The provision herein to my wife is upon the express conditions that she
support and take care of all of my minor children until they become of
age educating and supporting them to the best of her ability and means.

Lastly; I do hereby nominate and appoint Nathaniel Tucker to be my
executor confirming this and no other to be my last will and
testament--revoking all former wills by me made.

I hereby empower my executor to use and handle my profit to the best
advantage giving the rents issues and profits as herein directed and he
may mine coal now owned by me the same as I have been doing but he shall
not lease or rent any of said coal land or coal to be mined by anyone
outside of my children and the measure thereof to be paid to my wife as
herein directed.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty
second day of November AD 1887.

          William Martin     (circle drawn with word seal written
inside)

Signed sealed published and declared by the said William Martin as and
for his last will and testament who signed the same in our presence and
we in his presence and in the presence of each other and at his request
have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.  The signature of said
testator was made by Charles K. Ladd directing the hand of said Martin
being unable to write his name thereto.

Charles K. Ladd of Kewanee, Ill., (signature)
Joseph Wright of Kewanee, Ill, (signature)
           
**
Transcriber's notes:
Nathaniel Tucker, the executor of the will, was the brother of William's
wife, Martha.  William's daughter Martha married Nathaniel's son James
Tucker.  It is unclear why the daughter Martha is listed as Martha James
(or Jones-this name difficult to read) unless Mr. Ladd, who was writing
the words for Mr. Martin meant to put Martha AND James (her husband) or
her middle name was James or Jones.  The daughter listed as Rose A. went
by Rose, but most other official records show her name to be Rosannah
(one word), a name which appears in several Martin related lines.

Transcribed from a copy of the original document by
Susie Martin-Rott
rootbound@geocities.com


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