In the name of God Amen. I, Isaac
F. Johnson, being of advanced age, but of sound and disposing mind and
memory, knowing that life is uncertain, deem it right and proper both as
respects to my family and myself that I should make a disposition of the
property with which a kind Providence has blessed me, I do therefore make
this my last will and testament, hereby
revoking and annulling all others heretofore
made by me.
ITEM 1.
I desire and direct that my body be buried
in a decent and Christian-like manner, suitable to my circumstances and
conditions in life, my soul I trust shall return to God, who gave it, and
I hope for eternal salvation through the merits and atonement of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ, whose religion I hope to have to enjoyed for
many years.
ITEM 2.
I desire that my just debts be paid without
delay by my Executor hereinafter named.
ITEM 3.
I give and bequeath to my dear wife, Catherine,
during her natural life, my home place whereon
I now reside, containing 45 acres, more
or less, together with all the houses, appurtenances thereto belonging,
except one acre with the house thereon on the NE corner thereof, adjoining
the public road and James Barlow place. I also bequeath to
her absolutely, one cow and calf, and desire that she shall have 12 months
support and sufficiency of household and kitchen furniture for herself
and my daughter, Emma, the same to be set apart now provided by law.
ITEM 4.
At the death of my dear wife, Catherine,
I desire and direct that all my property bequeathed to her in Item 3 of
this my last will, go to and vest in my daughter, Emma, and her heirs forever.
I also give and bequeath to said daughter,
Emma, one cow and calf; one bedstead and sufficiency of bed clothing thereof.
ITEM 5.
I bequeath unto my son, Isaac F., 75 acres,
more or less, of Lot No. 188, being whereon the mill and gin is situated;
the land extending to the ditch on the North side of the creek together
with one acre of land, house thereon excepted, from the house place
bequeathed to my dear wife in Article 3 of this my last will and testament.
I also give and bequeath to my son, my mule, Rhody.
ITEM 6.
I hereby divide the remainder of my lands
and parcels as follows: first, the half lot of No. 177, lying next to Amanda
Johnson. Second, 90 acres, more or less, of the same lot No. 177, adjoining
the millpond. Third 50 acres, more or less, of lot No.
183 and 188, lying between the ditch and Gordon road, adjoining the land
of Solomon Ward and John L. Johnson. Fourth 50 acres, more or less,
between the Gordon road and branch and being whole of the lands known as
the dower of Mrs. Delphia Johnson, and about 8 acres additional which I
desire and direct shall be appraised by five disinterested appraisers and
drawn for my four children, to wit: Frances M. Stinson, Sarah J.
Sanders, Pensy M. Player, and William A. Johnson, each advancing to the
other whatever may be necessary to equal the shares as herein by this ITEM.
And I desire and direct that shares that shall be drawn by said daughters, shall vest in and become the property of my said daughters and their children, now being and hereafter born and in even to become not subject to the debts or contracts of their present, or any future husbands.
ITEM 7.
The remainder of my property, both real
and personal, I direct shall be sold by my executors hereinafter named
and the proceeds after paying my just debts, divided between my beloved
wife and children, share and share alike.
ITEM 8.
I hereby constitute and appoint my beloved
sons, William A. and Isaac F. Johnson the Executors of this my last will
and testament, 15 Mar 1887.
Signed Isaac F. Johnson
He added a codicil one week later regarding the indebtedness to him by son-in-laws.
Recorded in Will Book A, page 62 and 63; no date of probation.