Filed July 12, 1847
Recorded in Book pages 212 to 215
A. Miller P.J.P
Note written on will: William Pearce died July 6, 1847 - age 26 years.
I William Pearce of the county of Adams or Highland in the state of Illinois, 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 expences and all my just debts be fully paid.
Secondly, I give, devise and bequeth to my beloved wife Mary Pearce all my household furniture including also my cooking stove also my cow and calf also four head of my choice young cattle also sufficient provisions and clothing for her and her children for one year I wish my wife to keep as much of the produce of every description of the rents of my land as shall be necessary to support her and my two children yearly so long as she remains my widow. It is my will that if there should be money left after settling up my estate that my wife shall have the interest of the same for the benefit of herself and my children so long as she remains my widow. But in no case to spend any part of the principal unless it be absolutely necessary for the education of my children. It is my wish that my wife shall have the use and benefit of herself and my children the following described pieces or parcels of land (after paying the expences for repairs and taxes) to wit: seventy two acres on the West part of the South East quarter of sections twenty six 2. South to West also my timbered land being the East half of South West quarter Sec. thirty five 2. south 6 West And it is my will that if my wife should marry again that she shall choose some suitable person for guardian for my children and that none of my property shall ever come into the hands of a step-father and if she should marry before my children are fourteen years of age and should neglect to chose them a guardian. It is my will at the age of fourteen that they shall choose or the court appoint them a guardian.
And if my wife should marry again and should choose a guardian for my children as above described then it is my will that she shall relinquish all her interest in my real estate and money at interest. And in case my wife shall not comply with my will It is my will that she shall keep the children until they are fourteen years of age and at that time their share of property shall be set apart for them and the interest on the same shall be added to the principal unless it be necessary to apply some part of the interest to their educaiton.
And it is my will that my wife shall have the control and benefit of all my real and personal property during the time she remains my widow but she shall make no charge for keeping my children neither before they are fourteen years of age nor afterwards, nor any other person and it is my will that in the settling of my estate that as little expence shall be made as possible consistent with the nature of the case and that my debts shall be paid as soon as possible.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this tenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty seven.
William Pearce (signed) SEAL
Signed, published and
declared by the above
named William Pearse
as and for his last will
and testament in presence
of us, who at his request
have signed as witnesses
To the same
E. Chaplin {
Daniel Culp { Witnesses
N G Bartlett {
Jacob Wigle {
Compiled and submitted by Mary Love Berryman.