Here is a rather complicated will from the Jennings County Web site of a
Sarah Leming.
Sarah Leming-will written July 12, 1847-I Sarah Leming of the State of
Illinois, County of Iriguois do make and publish my last will and testament
hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time made and
first I direct that my body be decently interred in Thomas burying ground
and that my funeral be conducted according to the rites and ceremonies of the
Methodist Church and as to such worldly estate as God has entrusted me
with; I dispose of the same as follows, first I direct that my debts and
funeral expenses be paid as soon after my decease as possible out of the first
money that shall come to the hand of my Executors, family portion of my
Estate, I direct that all my real estate of which I shall be possessed of shall
be sold at some valuation for currency money-Further I direct that my son
James Leming have Six dollars: I direct that my daughter Jane Leming one
dollar. I direct that the heirs of my daughter Oley Leming late Oley Cox
shall have three dollars each share alike. I direct that my Grand daughter
Sarah Jane Hunt one bed and bedding; I direct that my daughter Mary Leming
late Mary Bennett Shall have one bed and bedding; I direct that my son John
Leming have my clock and stand and four chairs and one horse, I direct that
the heirs of daughter Sarah Leming late Sarah Lambert the sum of three
dollars each share and share alike; Further I direct that Nancy Leming late
Nancy Thomas have one dollar. I direct my real estate be sold and the
proceeds thereof be equally divided between my daughter Actes? Mary Leming; Actes?
Mary Leming; Actes? Mary Flowers and Mary Leming; and Mary Leming late
Mary Bennington and my daughter Elizabeth Leming, late Elizabeth Hunt, and
my daughter Ruth E. Leming, late Ruth Bennington and John E. Leming and my
daughter Hulda Leming late Hulda Hunt. I direct that the note that I hold
on George Hunt when collected be equally divided amongst Acte? Mary Flowers
and Mary Bennington and Elizabeth Leming late Elizabeth Hunt and my
daughter Ruth Bennington and John C. Leming and Hulda Hunt. I do hereby make and
ordain Seth Flowers to be Executor of this my last will and testament in
witness thereof I Sarah Leming the testatrix have this day written and set
my hand and seal this 12th day of July in the year of our Lord 1847.
Witnesses
Adam Ranes?
John M. Flowers
State of Illinois
Iriquois County December ? AD 1847
The above will of Sarah Leming dec. in the Court of Probate of said County
was sworn to by the above named witnesses before me A.Falkenbury Probate
Justice in an for the County of Iriquois, Illinois. The court after hearing
all proofs in said will that the law directs by the statute of said state
considered the same the true and last will of Sarah Leming, Testatrix and as
such it is hereby established by me A. Falkenbury Probate Justice in and
for said County this December 6, 1847 A. Falkenburg P.J.P.
State of Illinois
Iriquois County I Alonzo Falkenbury Probate Justice of the Peace in and for
the County of Iriquois and State of Illinois do hereby certify the
foregoing is a true copy of the record of the Last Will and Testament of Sarah
Leming dec. late of said county and state and also the copy of the probate
thereon as shown and set forth on said record Book A page two hundred fifty
six, seven and eight whereupon letters executorship issued by the court
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the Probate
Court done at Middleport in the County and State above named, this 24th day of
August AD 1849 A. Falkenbury P.J.P.
State of Illinois
Counry of Iriquois I John H. Wagner, Clerk of the County Commissioners
Court for said County do hereby Certify that A. Falkenbury Eaqr. before whom
the annexed will was proven and admitted to Probate was at the time of the
takiing of Such Proof and Still is an acting Probate Justice of the Peace in
and for said County duly elected commissioned and sworn and that the taking
of the same was done agreeably to the laws of the State.
In witness thereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court
at Middleport this 24th day of August AD 1849 John F. Wagner Clerk
State of Illinois
County of Iriquois
I Hugh Henderson presiding Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Curcuit for the
State of Illinois does hereby certify that Alonzo Falkenbury was acting
Probate Justice of the Peace in and for said County on the sixth day of
December 1847 duly commissioned and qualified according to law.
Given under my hand this 13th day of May AD 1850
Hugh Henderson
Judge of the 11th Judicial
Curcuit in the State of Illinois