Will of Joseph Dennis, Benton and Hickory Counties, Missouri This was sent to me by a Dennis researcher. I am not related to this family. Benton County, MO Last Will and Testament of Joseph Dennis I, Joseph Dennis of the County of Benton in the State of Missouri, do make and publish this my last will and testament . . . manner and form following that is to say. First it is my will that my funeral expences and all my just debts be fully paid. Secondly - I give devise and bequeath to my wife, Anny Dennis in liew of her dower, Gin the black woman I now own and Ben her child during her natural life and all the livestock horses, cattle and by me now owned, also all the household furniture and other items not particularly named and otherwise disposed of in this will during her natural life as aforesaid. She however first disposing of a sufficiency thereof to pay my just debts and aforesaid and at the death of my said wife Anny Dennis all the property hereby devised and bequeathed as aforesaid or . . . such therof as may then remain unexpended to my four sons, Neely McCan Dennis, Jonathan Dennis, Joseph Dennis and Audley Dennis and also my three daughters, Polly Edde, Anny Dawsey, and Hannah Neal and also my two granddaughters, Martha I McCormack, and Nancy Douglas and to their husbands and assigns forever also I direct that all my property unexpended of as aforesaid be equally divided between my four sons and three daughters above named and also my two granddaughters above named to have one eighth part of all the property or the value thereof. Also I direct that my daughter Rachel Pippin shall have thirty dollars of said property and further I direct that Audley Harrison my son in law shall have five dollars of the said property. And lastly I hereby constitute and appoint my said wife, Anny Dennis and my said Audley Dennis to be the Executor to this my last will and testament revoking and annulling all former wills by me made and certifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 19th day of September 1843. His Joseph Dennis (Seal) Mark Signed published and declared by the above named Joseph Dennis as and for his last will and testament in presence of us who he requests have signed as witness to the same. Septha Culbertson McCormack The State of Missouri County of Hickory In vacation January 19, 1849 This day personally appeared before me Clerk of County Court within and for Hickory County John P. McCormack subscribing witness to the foregoing last will and testament and the husband of Martha I. McCormack mentioned in said will who being duly sworn deposed and said that he has received all his interests in said estate and that he was acquainted with Joseph Dennis the testator that he saw him make his mark and acknowledge it as his last will and testament and that he was of sound mind at the time also that he was acquainted with Septha Culbertson the other subscribing witness to said will and with his handwriting and that his name as he verily believed to be his handwriting and that he saw him sign his name to the same. Cyrus Newberry being sworn deposed and said that he was acquainted with Septha Culbertson whose name is subscribed to the foregoing will as a witness and with his handwriting and to the best of his knowledge his name as witness to said will is in his own propper hand writing. Witness Alfred H. Foster, Clerk of the County Court of Hickory County at the county of Hickory the day and date above written. A. H. Foster, Clerk Note: Hickory County was established in 1845, taken from Benton and Polk Counties. The daughter Polly Edde married William Edde. She is buried at Fisher Cemetery in Hickory County, dates: 21 Oct 1790-18 Nov 1849. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Phyllis Hill ====================================================================