WILL: James Stevens; Harmony, Chautauqua co., NY
surname: Stevens

submitted by Martin Juul (mjuul @ aol.com)
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http://www.usgwarchives.net/ny/nyfiles.htm
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Transcribed from SAMPUBCO photocopy by Martin Juul
Chautauqua co NY Will Book Vol. 9 page 583

In the name of God, Amen:

        I James Stevens of the Town of Harmony, Chautauqua County, N.Y.
being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainties of this
frail and transitory life, do therefore make, ordain, publish and declare
this to be my last Will and Testament; that is to say:

        First, After all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, I give and
bequeath to my wife Susan one half of all of my real and personal property
including only one half of the household goods and furniture and this
bequest is to be in lieu of Dower.  The remaining half of all my real and
personal property I give and bequeath to my son Benjamin Stevens.  I hereby
authorize my Executors to sell all of my real estate within one year from my
decease and divide the mortgages between my wife Susan and my son Benjamin
and this will is to the effect that the share that is bequeathed to my son
Benjamin shall be held by the Executors (and invested as soon as possible)
in good Bonds and Mortgages or Mortgages and the interest paid yearly unto
my son Benjamin.  If said Executors shall be satisfied that it shall at any
time be necessary that the said Benjamin Stevens is in need of more that the
interest they are authorized to pay what amount they think best to him.

        Likewise, I make constitute and appoint George M. Robbins and Robert
Thumbleber to be Executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby
revoking all former Wills by me made.

        In Witness, Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed
by seal the 3rd day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighty.

James Stevens, L.S.

The above written instrument was subscribed by the said James in our
presence , and acknowledged by him to each of us, and he at the same time
declared the above instrument so subscribed to be his last Will and
Testament, and we at his request, have signed our names as witnesses hereto,
in his presence and in the presence of each other and written opposite our
names our respective places of residence.

A. Wellman, Harmony, Chaut Co, New York
Sardius Steward, "    "     "  "     "

Recorded the foregoing last Will and Testament of James Stevens, deceased
and compared the same with the original Will, this 6th day of January 1890.

David Sherman, Surrogate