Will of Michael Harness
submitted by Rick Brown
January 20, 2001

The following is the will of Michael Harness written Jan. 5, 1825 and probated in Hamilton County, Ohio on May 4, 1827 and recorded in WB 9, page 452 (Case No. A3140).  The will book that this will was originally transcribed into was burned in a court house fire on March 29, 1884, but that the original will and endorsements were preserved and ordered to be re-recorded in the official records.

Will of Michael Harness
In the name of God Amen, I Michael Harness of Anderson Township and County of Hamilton and State of Ohio considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound and perfect mind and memory Blessed be almighty God for the same.  Do make this my last will and testament and do publish the same hereby That is to say.  First) I do give and bequeath unto my loving wife Margaret for her use and the support of her and my seven children as long as she remains my widow all the rents issues and profits of my farm lying and being in Anderson Township and County aforesaid and State of Ohio.  Secondly) I do give and bequeath unto my seven children (by my wife Margaret) to my son Michael, my son Solloman, my son George, my daughter Elizabeth, my daughter Sarah, my daughter Meetildy, my daughter Harriett all the farm aforesaid and all my other property both real and personal (after all my just debts are paid) and other were herby disposed of to be equally divided between them the said Michael, Solloman, George, Elizabeth, Sarah, Metilda, Harriett as they shall severally become of lawful age, but in case either of the said above named children should die before they shall arrive of age then it is wish that the survivors be considered the lawful heirs of the same and it is my wish and will that in addition to the amount I have given unto my four children viz. my son John, my son Job, my daughter Catharine and Mary.  I do give and bequeath to them the sum of Ten dollars each as their full shares of my estate.  Thirdly) I do hereby appoint and ordain and constitute my trusted friend Isaac Marriott and Stacy Marriott my executors to this my last will and testament her by revoking all former wills by me made in witness my hand and seal this fifth day of January one thousand eight hundred and twenty five.

                                                                                                         Michael Harness SEAL
 Signed, sealed, published and declared
By the above named Michael Harness to
Be his last will and Testament in the presence
of us who have hereunto set our hands as
witnesses in the presence of the Testator
Isaac Marriott
David Jones
John Debolt
Therefore on the same day David Jones and John Debolt two of the subscribing witnesses to the last will and testament of Michael Harness deceased personally appeared in open court and were duly sworn and examined according to law [unreadable] [unreadable] endorsement of said will as appears from [unreadable] to on said will:  Proven by David Jones and John Debolt subscribing witness.  Will admitted to record May 4th 1827.  [unreadable] [unreadable] clerk.  Now here to wit on the same day an said court [unreadable] order in as follows.  In the matter of the last will and testament of Michael Harness deceased.  The last Will and testament of Michael Harness late of the county deceased was this day duly presented to the court for Probate and record.  Whereupon David Jones and John Debolt two of the subscribing witness to said will personally appeared in open court and were duly sworn and examined according to law as appears from the endorsement on said will.   The court being [unreadable] from the testimony so taken that said will was duly executed and attested and that the testator at the time of executing the will was of full age sound mind and memory and was under any [unreadable] the court now admits said will to probate and orders the same together with testimony to be recorded according to the statute in end made and provided. It is further ordered by the court that the said [unreadable] and the probate thereof he re-recorded and the same is now done and said record have the same force and effect as said original record.