Hancock County Wills

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Transcribed by Penny Papenfus. 

email:  [email protected]                                                  updated: 1-2-07

Source: probate records Hancock County Court

No corrections of misspellings or grammar were done by me.

 

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ABRAHAM L BALLS

 

“The estate of ABRAHAM L BALLS was appraised at $57,618.36 by F S ROBINSON, E H ROSENBERGER, & B B BRUNLEY. The total consisted chiefly of real estate and securities.”

Weekly Jeffersonian 4-8-1920

 

 

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CARRIE BELL

 

The Last Will and Testament Carrie H. Bell. Deceased

In the name of the Benevolent Father of all I CARRIE H. BELL of the County of Hancock and State of Ohio of lawful age and of sound mind and memory do make and publish this my last Will and testament in manner and form following that is to say.

Item 1st It is my will that all my just debts and funeral expenses  be paid.

Item 2nd I give devise and bequeath to my husband MARION BELL to have and to hold during his natural life all my estate real and personal or in expectancy and all real and personal estate of every kind and description that may come to me as heir of my Grandfather JACOB TAYLOR deceased or as heir of my Grandmother HANNAH TAYLOR deceased or as heir of my Mother LUCRETIA ANN GEORGE deceased or as heir of my Father MORDICAH GEORGE.

Item 3rd At the death of my said husband MARION BELL I give and devise all of my real and personal estated of every kind and description to my children in fee to have and to hold the same to them and their heirs forever.

Item 4th I hereby nominate and appoint my husband MARION BELL Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made and adopting this and no other in and for my last Will and testament..

In witness whereof I hereto set my hand and seal this 4th day of April AD 1889

CARRIE H. BELL                SEAL

Signed sealed and acknowledged by said CARRIE H. BELL as and for her last will and testament in our presence and signed by us at her request as witnesses in her presence and in the presence of each other

JAMES SEED

ROBERT MORRIS

 

Probate of Will

State of Ohio, Hancock County SS.

Testimony taken in the Probate Court in and for said County in proof of the last Will and Testament of CARRIE H. BELL late of said County deceased.

On this 20th day of May AD 1889 personally appeared in open Court JAMES SEED and ROBERT MORRIS the subscribing witnesses to the last Will and Testament of said CARRIE H. BELL deceased bearing date on the 4th day of April AD 1889 and being duly sworn depose and say that they were present at the execution of said last Will and Testament of CARRIE H. BELL here to attach that they saw the said testatrix subscribe said will and __?__ her acknowledge her signature and that the said testatrix at the time of executing the same was of full age and of sound mind and memory and not under any restraint; And that they signed the same as witnesses at her request and in her presence and in the presence of each other

JAMES SEED

ROBERT MORRIS

 

Which said testimony was reduced to writing , subscribed and sworn to by said witnesses in open Court the day and year first above written   GEO. W. MYERS Probate Judge

 

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MORDECAI HAMMOND

 

Due to the length of his will and codicils 1 & 2, I will abstract the names here:

 

Last Will and Testament 24th day of September, 1852

 

Zillah Hammond, beloved wife

George O. Hammond, son

John T. Hammond, son

Henry Micimore, grand son

Mary Jane Micimore, grand daughter

Zilla Micimore, grand daughter

Henry C. Hammond, son, California

2 children of Henry C Hammond

Mary C. George, daughter

Hannah R. Choemaker, daughter

Margaret B. Hammond, daughter

Thomas J. Hammond, son

My other daughters who have left home and received their portion

 

Executors:                                                                                Witnesses:

Zillah Hammond, wife                                                                           Thomas Hammond  [was this his brother?]

Aquilla Gilbert, brother in law                                                                George Hoy

 

1st  Codicil     16th day of January, 1854

 

No additional names mentioned

 

Witnesses:

A.M. Lake

George Hoy

 

Recorded March 10th 1855 by N A Childs, Probate Judge

 

2nd Codicil        7th day of March 1854

 

No additional names mentioned

 

Witnesses:

  1. M Lake
  2. Samuel  Patterson

 

Proven 5th day of March 1855

Thomas Hammond

George Hoy

Samuel Patterson

 

Executors:

Aquilla Gilbert

Zillah Hammond

 

$4000.00 bonds, Suretors Thomas Hammond , George Hoy

 

N A Childs Probate Judge

 

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ASA LAKE

 

“Last Will of Asa Lake late of Hancock C., dec’d

 

Be it remembered that at a court of Common Pleas began and held in the town of Findlay on the 19th day of October A.D. 1843, the last will and testament of ASA LAKE was admitted to probate and this will and proof there of ordered to record.

Copy of Will.

In the name of the beloved Father of All, I ASA LAKE of Hancock County, State of Ohio do make and publish this my last will and testament. First I give and devise to my beloved wife Chloe Lake in lieu of her dower the following tract or parcel of land with the appertainances known and distinguished in lots No Twenty-five, Twenty-six, Twenty-seven, Twenty-eight, twenty nine in the town of Mount Blanchard in the county of Hancock and State of Ohio as laid down on the Plat of said town as it now stands on record and also all that tract or parcel of land it being twenty acres of land more or less off of the East half of the North East quarter of section two in township two South of range eleven. It being on the West side of the Blanchard Fork of the Auglaize and also a tract bounded & described as follows, a part of the West half of the North East quarter of section No 2, township No 2 South in range eleven and lays on the South West side of the Blanchard fork it being in the South West corner of the above described tract and also a certain piece or parcel of land bounded as follows to wit: Commencing at the foot of the high bank three rods west of a certain white oak on the bank of the creek thence to run North East course to the corner of  S. K. THOMPSON’S tract on the East line of the above mentioned tract to be a strip four rods wide containing two hundred square rods. The whole containing thirty-one acres more or less with the buildings thereon during her natural life. And all the stock, household goods, furniture and provisions. And other goods and chattels which may be thereon at the time of my decease during her natural life as aforesaid; She however selling so much thereof as may be sufficient to pay my just debts. At the death of my said wife the Real Estate aforesaid and such part of the personal property or the proceeds thereof as may then remain unconsumed and unexpended, I give and devise to my daughter RACHAEL GILLISPEY and to her heirs and assigns for ever. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 8th day of July in the year 1843.

                                                                                                                        Asa Lake            Seal

Signed and acknowledged by said ASA LAKE as his last will and testament in our presence and signed by us in his presence. ABIJAH SMITH, JOHN LAFFERTY, HENRY TAYLOR

 

The State of Ohio, Hancock County SS.

Personally appeared in open court ABIJAH SMITH, JOHN LAFFERTY and HENRY TAYLOR who being first duly sworn according to law deposed and say that the above will was duly attested and executed in their presence and that the testator at the time of executing the same was of full age and of sound mind and memory and under no restraint and that he declared the same to be his last will and testament and requested them to sign the same as witnesses                                                                              ABIJAH SMITH

Sworn and subscribed in open court this 19th day of October AD 1843                                                             JOHN LAFFERTY

            WM. L. HENDERSON, Clerk

 

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GEORGE LITZENBERGER

 

4-29-1834 Hancock County

 

Witness:

FREDERICK BENNER

 

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SARAH METZGER

 

SARAH METZGER’S Will

 

I, SARAH METZGER of the County of Hancock in the State of Ohio, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following  that is to say, first, it is my will that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be fully paid.  Second – I give , devise and bequeath to my Son in Law JACOB FRIDGLER all my property , real, personal, and money effects in laws.  And lastly I hereby substitute and appoint my Son in Law JACOB FRIDGLER  to be the Executor of this my last will and testament revoking all former wills by me made and ratifying and confirming this and no other, to be my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand Seal, this 23rd day of Feby AD 1845

                                                                                                                                                            SARAH METZGER

Signed, published and declared by the above named SARAH METZGER as and for her last will and testament in presence of us, who at her request have signed as witnesses to the same

 

Witnesses                     WM. ROLLER

                                    JOHN ZIMMERMAN

 

Proof of Will

 

The State of Ohio, Hancock County

I JOHN ZIMMERMANN being duly sworn in open court, this 15th day of April AD 1857, depose and say that I was present at the execution of the last will and testament of SARAH METZGER, hereto attached; that I saw said testator subscribe said will and heard her publish and deliver the same to be her last will and testament and that the said testator at the time of executing the same was of full age, and of sound mind and memory and not under any restraint; and I signed the same as witnesses at his request and in her presence and in the presence of William Roller the other subscribing witness to the said will who is now deceased

                                    JOHN ZIMMERMAN

 

Also MOSES MCANELLY [? Mc Snelly} being duly sworn in open court, this 15th day of April AD 1857 deposes and says that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of WILLIAM ROLLER who subscribed the last will and testament hereto ane??ed that said signature purporting to be his is genuine. That WILLIAM ROLLER has died since signing said last will and testament as a witness.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    MOSES MCANELLY [?]

And afterwards at the April term of the court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Hancock and State of Ohio, to wit on the 15th day of April AD 1857. Present Hon – P G GOODE , President Judge, JOHN COOPER, G C BAMA [?]  and ELI SAMPSON Associate Judges, within and for said county said will was further proven to wit.

The matter of SARAH METZGER’S Will- The last will and testament of SARAH METZGER late of Hancock County , deceased, was this day produced in open court by MSSRS O’NEAL & WHITELY, counsil, and was proved by the oaths of JOHN ZIMMERMAN and MOSES MCANELLY , which said testimony was reduced to writing, and by them respectfully subscribed and filed with the said will, and it appearing to the court by said testimony that said will was duly attested, and executed, and that the said testator at the time of executing the same was of full age and of sound mind and memory and not under any restraint. It is ordered by said court that said will and testimony be recorded.

 

 

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MARGARET C MOORE

 

4-8-1920 Weekly Jeffersonian

“M W BRIGHT was named administrator of the estate of MARGARET C MOORE, _ _ ing bond in the sum of $1000.00”

 

 

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ELIZABETH PIFER

 

4-8-1920 Weekly Jeffersonian

“Inventory and appraisement was filed in the matter of the estate of ELIZABETH PIFER yesterday showing total assets of $11,174.00  This consisted mostly of real estate and securities. Appraisers were: S H BIGGER, FRED B OUTWELL, & J W MONTGOMERY.”

 

 

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MARTHA PORE

“The last will and testament of MRS MARTHA PORE late of Van Buren township was admitted for proof and record in the Probate Court Thursday” 

Weekly Jeffersonian Thursday 2-3-1893

 

 

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ELI SARGENT

 

Last Will and Testament

 

In the name of God Amen, I ELI SARGENT of the Township of Findlay, county of Hancock and State of Ohio, Being weak in bodily strength but of sound mind and memory (thanks be to God for the same) calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die, do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner following; Towit. Principally and first of all I resign my soul to God who gave it, and my body to the dust believing I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And whereas it hath pleased God to give me some earthly goods I give and dispose of them in manner following:

 

Item first:          I give and bequeath to my well beloved mother NANCY SARGENT all my free hold estate during her natural life and likewise all my moveable effects to do and dispose of at her pleasure;

I likewise appoint the sd NANCY my sole Executive to settle all accts and manage all concerns at her pleasure Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and Testament.  In testimony I set my hand and Seal this seventh day of March 1830.                                                               ELI    [his X mark] SARGENT

 

Attest

J.C. WICKHAM

BASS RAWSON

 

The State of Ohio                                 Court of Common Pleas of said Hancock County at the term of April A.D. 1830

Hancock County

 

Personally appeared in open court JOHN C WICKHAM  and BASS RAWSON the subscribing witnesses to a paper writing purporting to be the last will and Testament of ELI SARGENT deceased late of said County of Hancock who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that they severally subscribe their names as witnesses to said last will and Testament in the presence of the said ELI SARGENT, and at his special request that the said Eli Sargent subscribed said last will and Testament in the presence of said witnesses thereto, that the said ELI SARGENT at the same time of his subscribing said last will and Testament as aforesaid declared and published the same as suck, and that the said ELI SARGENT at the time of his executing said last will was of full and lawfull age and was of sound mind and memory and not under any restraint and further these deponents say not: J C WICKHAM,

                                                                                                BASS RAWSON

Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 30th day of April A.D. 1830                                    WILSON VANCE Clk.

Recorded and compared by me this 29th day of May AD 1830Wilson Vance Clk CHC

 

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ANDREW RABB

 

Last Will and Testament of ANDREW RABB

 

In the name of God Amen. I ANDREW RABB of Hancock County Ohio, being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory and understanding, Praised be God for it, and considering the certainity of death and the uncertainity of the time thereof and to the end I may be the better prepared to leave this world whenever it may please God to call me hence do therefore make and declare this my last Will and Testament in the manner following (that is to say.) first and principally I commend my soul in to the hands of Almighty God my creator hoping for free pardon and remission of all my sins and to enjoy everlasting happiness in the heavenly kingdom through Jesus Christ my saviour.

First I will and Bequeath to my dearly beloved wife MARGARET, all my personal property of whatsoever nature for her only use.  Likewise the use and benefits of my Real Estates during her life and after her death to my son JOHN (providing there shall be any or any child born after my death. My will is they shall share and share equally alike. My dear wife MARGARET is to raise my son and if any should be born after my death She is to raise them under her own care and protection.

In witness whereof, I the sd ANDREW RABB to this my last will and Testament Set my hand and Seal this 9th day of September in the year of our Lord 1830 in the presence of us,

 

HENRY REEL                                                                                                                                     ANDREW RABB

AQUILLA GILBERT                         

 

State of Ohio                Special Term Common Pleas

Hancock Co                 October 2nd AD 1830

 

            Personally appeared in open court AQUILLA GILBERT and HENRY REEL Subscribing witnesses to the Last Will and Testament of ANDREW RABB deceased late of said Hancock County who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that they each of them subscribed their names as witnesses to said will in the presence of Said ANDREW RABB and at his the said Andrew Rabb’s special request and that the said Andrew Rabb at the time of executing said Will was of full age of sound mind and memory was not under any restraint and that the said will was in all respects duly executed by the said ANDREW RABB and the said ANDREW RABB signed and acknowledged said will within their presence. Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 2nd day of October 1830

 

HENRY REEL

AQUILLA GILBERT

 

Attest

WILSON VANCE Clk.

 

This will was received for record the 2nd day of October 1830 and Recorded and Compared by me the 27th day of October 1830

WILSON VANCE Clk Ptm.

 

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MARTHA STO_GH

 

“R M BROOKS, L A BAUGHMAN and SILAS POWELL found the estate of MARTHA STO_GH worth $3127.91.  Of this amount $2000 was in real estate”

Weekly Jeffersonian 4-8-1920

 

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CHLOE STOCKTON

 

“The estate of CHLOE STOCKTON was found to be worth $11,592.40 by SAMUEL MARSHALL, JOSEPH HARTMAN & J P BROWNELLER. Of this amount $8055 was in real estate”

Weekly Jeffersonian 4-8-1920

 

 

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JOHN WOLFORD

 

“JOHN WOLFORD’S Last Will and Testament

 

In the name of God, amen, I JOHN WOLFORD of Hancock County, State of Ohio, Being sick and weak in body, but of sound mind, memory and understanding,(Praised be God for it) and considering the certainity of death and the uncertainity of the time thereof and to the end I may be better prepared to leave this world whenever it may please God to call me hence, do therefore make and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following, (that is to say) first and principally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my creator hoping for free pardon and remission of all my sins. And to enjoy everlasting happiness in the heavenly Kingdom through Jesus Christ my savior, my body I commit to the earth at the discretion of Executor herinafter named.

Firstly   I will and Bequeath to my dearly beloved wife MARY S. WOLFORD, her two cows and calves and likewise her bed and bedding. Likewise twenty dollars in cash to be obtained in manner and form herinafter named.

The residance of my personal property my sons GEORGE W WOLFORD and ANDREW WOLFORD shall have. Out of which they are to pay the following debts and legacies. To my son JEREMIAH WOLFORD I will and bequeath the sum of five dollars to be paid by the ___?____ Sd GEORGE W WOLFORD and ANDREW WOLFORD as these executors. To my daughter ELIZABETH ELEN, I will and bequeath the sum of five dollars to be paid by the Sd GEORGE W WOLFORD and ANDREW WOLFORD as these executors.

To my son JOHN WOLFORD I will and bequeath the sum of five dollars to be paid by the sd GEORGE W WOLFORD  and ANDREW WOLFORD as these executors.

To my Grandson JOHN W ELDER, son of my daughter MARY ANN ELDER I will and bequeath the sum of Fifty dollars to be paid by the sd GEORGE W WOLFORD and ANDREW WOLFORD as these executors when sd JOHN W ELDER comes of age.

To my grandson JOHN W ELDER, Son of SARAH ELDER, my daughter I will and bequeath the sum of fifty dollars to be paid by the sd GEORGE W WOLFORD and ANDREW WOLFORD or these executors when sd JOHN W ELDER comes of age.

To my son ABSOLOM I will and bequeath the sum of five dollars to be paid by the Sd GEORGE W WOLFORD and ANDREW WOLFORD or these executors.

To my son ABRAHAM WOLFORD  I will and bequeath the sum of fifty dollars to be paid by the sd GEORGE W WOLFORD and ANDREW WOLFORD or these executors, when sd ABRAHAM WOLFORD comes of age.

Likewise the sd GEORGE W WOLFORD and ANDREW WOLFORD to pay all debts. To pay the twenty dollars to my beloved wife as before mentioned.

Likewise Sixty-five dollars and forty nine cents to the sd ABSOLOM W WOLFORD, All Funeral expenses etc.

I do ordain and appoint ABSOLOM W WOLFORD Executor of this my last Will and Testament

Signed and Sealed in the presence of                                                                                         JOHN WOLFORD                 SEAL

MORDECAI HAMMOND                                                                                                     This 26th day of June AD 1829

JOHN ROSE

 

The State of Ohio Hancock Co. SS

Hancock Common Pleas

April Term AD 1830

Personally apeared in open Court MORDECAI HAMMOND and JOHN ROSE subscribing witnesses to the last will and Testament of JOHN WOLFORD, deceased late of said Hancock County who being duly sworn deposeth and saith they each of them enscribed their names as witnesses to said will and Testament in the presence of said JOHN WOLFORD and at his the said JOHN WOLFORD’S special request and that the said JOHN WOLFORD at the time of executing said will was of full age of sound mind and memory was not under any restraint and that the said will was in all respects duly executed by said HON WOLFORD and that the said JOHN WORLFOR signed and acknowledged said will within their presence. Sworn and subscribed in open Court. April 30th 1830

                                                                                                                                                MORDECAI HAMMOND

                                                                                                                                                JOHN ROSE

WILSON VANCE, Clk. C.C.P.

Recorded and compared by me the 28th day of May AD 1830                          Wilson Vance Clk  H.C.P.

 

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