This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Gorham, Howland, Myers, Miars, Richardson Classification: Will Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/BiZ.2ACIB/298 Message Board Post: Clinton County, Ohio Probate Court Will Record Book 1, pages 142 and 143. Strattan Gorham, Dec'd Be it remembered that on the 8th day of September, A.D. one thous and eight hundred and fifty five the Last will and testament of Stratton Gorham late of Clinton County deceased was presented to the Clinton Probate Court for admission to Probate in words and figures following to wit: I Stratton Gorham of the County of Clinton and State of Ohio do make and publish this my last will and testament in the 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 beloved wife Lydia Gorham the use and proceeds of the farm on which we now reside so long as she remains my widow situate on Union Township Clinton County and State of Ohio containing seventeen acres and one cow and one calf one year old last spring and one pony mare and all the household furniture. If the above named Lydia Gorham should marry it is my will that she shall have hold and retain in her possession one bed and bedding dishes and other things for keeping house and the above named livestock and further my above said wife shall have one hundred dollars in money or property. Third I give and devise to my daughter Eleanor Myers five dollars. Fourth I give and devise to my eldest son Eleazor Gorham Twenty five dollars. Fifth I give to my second son Cornelius Gorham five dollars. Sixth I give and devise to my son J. L. Gorham twenty five dollars. Seventh At the death or marriage of my within named wife Lydia Gorham, the within described seventeen acres of land shall be sold at public sale and all the above named personal property that I have not otherwise disposed of in this will shall likewise be sold and the value on account obtained from sale shall be equally divided between my three following named boys, Eri, Ira and G.W. Gorham as they shall become twenty one years of age. Further, all my personal property not mentioned in the within shall be sold at my death at public sale and the amount divided equally between the three last named boys as they become twenty one years old and further it is my will that all the proceeds on remainder of my estate if there should be any shall be equally divided between my three last named boys as above directed, and Lastly I hereby constitute and appoint J. B. Howland the Executor of this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal 8th day of July A.D. 1855. Signed, published and declared by the above named Stratton Gorham as is for his last will and testament in presence of at his request have signed as witnesses to the same J. W. Richardson Charity Richardson J. B. Howland [end page 142] ---------------------------------------------- State of Ohio Clinton County Clinton Probate Court Sept Term A.D. 1855 This any personally appeared in open court Jacob W. Richardson and Charity Richardson subscribing witnesses to the Last will and testament of Stratton Gorham who after being duly sworn say that they were present at the Execution of said will and saw the testator sign and heard him acknowledge the same as his last will and testament and that at the time of the Execution thereof the testator was of full age of sound mind and memory and not under any apparent restraint. Sworn to and subscribed Sept 8th 1855 S. McKay, P.J. J. W. Richardson Charity Richardson (This paragraph looks to be in the Judge's own hand rather than the clerk's and it is very difficult handwriting to read.)This day the last will and testament of Stratton Gorham was brought before the court and was duly proven by the oaths of J. W. Richardson and Charity Richardson whose testimony was [illegible] to writing and the court being satisfied that said testes a the time of Executing said will was of Full age and of sound mind and memory and not laboring under any apparent restraint it is [illegible] by the court that such will and the proof so [illegible] to writing be [illegible] and on [illegible] of James B. Howland the Executor in said will [illegible] letters testamentary are issued to him whereupon said Executors gave bond in the penal sum of six hundred dollars with Newten (sic) McMillson and Benjamin Howland his securities to the acceptance of the court. By the [illegible] S McKay P. J.