Wills of Stoddard Co. MO - - Book B pg. 232-233 Hester, John ***************************************************************** File contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Compiled and submitted by ©1999,2000, Connie Perkins ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *************************************************************************** Record Book of Wills in the County of Stoddard, Missouri Book B, p. 232-233 In the Name of God - Amen. I John Hester of Stoddard County Missouri being of Sound and disposing mind, but being old and in feeble health, and realizing the certainty of death and the uncertainty of life, do make and publish this my last will and testament. First - I Will that all my just debts be paid including my funeral expenses out of my personal Estate. Second - I will and bequeath to my other sons by my former marriage, Lewis Hester, Willis Hester and Eli Hester, one dollar each to be paid out of my personal estate, within one year after my death, by my executor, hereinafter named. Third - I will and bequeath to my beloved wife, Mary Hester, during her life time to dispose of as she may deem best, all the rest, residue and remainder of my property both land and personal property, and at her death, to be equally divided between my beloved children, by said Mary Hester, as follows: Almeta intermarried with Geo. W. Miller Mary Isabella, intermarried with Thomas Gilbert, Laura Ann, intermarried with Ax Mossman, Cora May intermarried with Thomas Mossman and my beloved son William Henry Hester. Fourth, I constitute and appoint my beloved wife Mary Hester to be the Executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I have hereto subscribed my name this 4th day of April 1893. John Hester - his mark The foregoing instrument was at the date thereof signed and declared by the said John Hester to be his last will and testament, in the presence of us, who at his request and in his presence, and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto. M.S. Phelan W.C. Herrington Filed {words covered} 1897 R.W. Thompson Judge of Probate pg. 233 Proof of Will State of Missouri, County of Stoddard In the Probate Court Be it Remembered that on this the 27th day of January A.D. 1897 before me D. Wilcox Clerk of the probate Court held in and for the county and State aforesaid, personally appeared M.S. Phelan and W.C. Herrington, who are the subscribing witnesses to the annexed will of John Hester deceased, and being by me first duly sworn depose and say That the said John Hester the Testator, subscribed the same in their presence, and published and declared said will or Instrument of writing to be his last will and testament and that at the time of signing, the said testator was of sound and disposing mind, and more than twenty-one years of age, and that said deponents attested said will as witnesses thereto, by subscribing our names to the same in the presence of the Testator and of each other and at the request of the said testator. M.S. Phelan W.C. Herrington Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 27th day of November A.D. 1897. D. Wilcox Clerk of Probate Filed 27th day of November A.D. 1897 D. Wilcox Clerk of Probate The fore going Will and proof thereof were duly recorded this 21st day of June A.D. 1899. R.L. Allen, Clerk of Probate