In the name of the Benevolent Father of all: I, John Major of the County of Belmont and State of Ohio, do make and publish this my last will and testament:

Item first. I give and devise to my beloved wife, in lieu of her dower, the entire use & proceeds of the farm on which we now live, situate in said County of Belmont, until our youngest child shall arrive at the age of twenty-one years; and all the personal property that is now on our said home farm to be kept for the use of my beloved wife, and children now at home with me. And when my youngest child shall have arrived at the age of twenty-one years, then it is my will that all my real estate, and all the personal property that then may be unconsumed and not expended, and the proceeds thereof, shall be appraised, and sold & the proceeds equally divided among my children and their heirs, reserving, however, to my beloved wife the one third of the said home farm on which we now reside, including the dwelling house, and out buildings for her own use during her natural life; and one cow, bed stead and bedding, one stand of bureaus and such other house hold goods as may be useful to afford her a comfortable living.

Item 2nd. I give and bequeath to each of my children a good horse, as they mey respectively become of legal age, with the exception of my son William who has already been furnished with a horse by me.

Item 3rd. It is my will and desire that my three younger children viz David, Samuel, and James Alexander be sent to school by my executors whom I shall hereafter nominate as soon as they shall find it convenient until each one shall be taught to be a good english schollar and that said schooling shall be paid out of the proceeds of my personal property.

Item 4. I do hereby appoint my beloved wife, Sarah, guardian of all my children now not of age until each one arrives at the age of twenty-one years or intermarries. And in case my beloved wife should marry before my children arrive at the age of twenty-one, then the guardianship of her shall seace and determin: and I then appoint my friend to the guardianship of all my children that may in that event be minors.

Item 5. I do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife Sarah and my son William executors of this my last will and testament, hereby authorizing and empowering them or either of them to pay all my just debts out of the proceeds of my personal property; and to collect all debts and claims due me; I authorize my executors also to sell as much of my personal property as may be necessary to pay all my debts at private sale. I do also authorize and empower them if it shall become necessary in order to pay my debts to sell by private sale or in such manner, upon such terms of credit, or otherwise as they may think proper, any part of my real estate, and deeds to purchasers to execute, acknowledge and deliver in fee simple.

Item 6. It is also my will and wish that my son Nicholas receive a good english education by my executors in the same manner as my other children as heretofore directed in this my last will.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 8th day of January AD 1853.

Signed and acknowledged by said John Major as his will and testament in out presents and signed in his presents.

Wm. Woods Richard B. Reynolds John Major (Seal) Probate. The State of Ohio Belmont County ss. Probate Court April 12th 1853.

The last will and testament of John Major late of the County of Belmont State of Ohio, deceased, was this date brought into the Probate Court, and presented for probate, and it appearing by the testimony of Richard B. Reynolds & William Woods the subscribing witnesses to said will, taken in open court reduced to writing and filed that said will was duly attested and executed that the testator at the time of executing the same was of sound mind and memory of full age, and not under any restraint. Whereupon the Court approved said will and ordered the same to be recorded with the proof now taken, on motion the Court grant letters testamentory on said estate to Sarah Majors and William Majors the executors named in said will, upon their giving bond with security in the sum of $1000.00 conditioned according to law & Richard B. Reynolds & Joseph Groves being offered are accepted as such security. The Court appoints James Price, Richard B. Reynolds and William Woods appraisers of the estate and effects of said deceased.

Evidence The State of Ohio Belmont County ss
On the 12th day of April AD 1853 appeared before the Judge of the Probate Court of said County Richard B. Reynolds and William Woods the subscribing witnesses to a paper writing this day presented to said Court for probate, purporting to be the last will and testament of John Major deceased late of said county, came into Court, and each being solemnly sworn or affirmed in open court.

The said Richard B. Reynolds for himself upon his solemn affirmation saith, that he saw the testator sign the said paper writing as and for his last will and testament, that he subscribed this same as a witness thereunto in the presence of the testator and at his request; that the testator at the time of signing was of sound mind and memory, twenty-one years of age and not under any restraint.
Richard B. Reynolds
And the said Wm. Woods for himself upon his solemn oath saith, that he saw the testator sign said will, that he subscribed the same as a witness thereto in the presence of the testator, and at his request; that the said testator at the time of signing said will was of sound mind and memory, twenty-one years of age and not under any restraint.
W. Woods

Taken, reduced to writing, and subscribed in open Court, at my office in St. Clairsville this 12th day of April AD 1853.
Attest David Harris
Probate Judge

I, David Harris, Judge of the Probate Court of said County do certify the foregoing to be a complete record of the will of John Major dec'd together with the entry of the probate thereof, and the testimony of witnesses to prove the same.
David Harris Probate Judge

Belmont County Wills, pp.310-312