Margaret Lett's Will 1873
Margaret Lett's Will (Wife of James Lett
Posted by: James (Jimmy) E. Lett Date: April 12, 1999

In the matter of the Estate of Margaret Lett, deceased
PROBATE OF WILL JANUARY 8TH , 1873

This day the last will and testament of Margaret Lett, deceased late of Muskingum County was produced in writing in open court and duly proved by the oaths of James Eakin and Joseph Tate, the two attesting and subscribing witnessed thereto, whose testimony was reduced to writing and filed and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that the said testator Margaret Lett, was, at the time of executing her said last will and testament of full age, of sound mind and memory, and not under any restraint.

It was ordered by the Court the said last will and testament be and the same is hereby admitted to probate and that the same together with the said testimony so reduced to writing and filed as aforesaid be recorded.

Will
In the name of the Benevolent Father of all, I Margaret Lett do make this my last will and testament.

Item first)
I devise and bequeath to my two sons John and Samuel Lett for the purpose of raising and schooling my three minor children, to wit; Judson Leander and Elmer Lett until they come to the age of twenty-one years all the personal property that I may be in possession of at the time of my decease, to wit; three head of horses being one Bay Mare one Brown Mare and one three year old brown horse colt horse, milk cows two yearling heifers- two spring calves- seventy five head of sheep- seven head of hogs- two wagons one carriage two ploughs two harnesses and one cane mill and one horse rake six sets of old farm harness the undivided half of one hay fork and gearing for the same and all other farming utensils that may be on the farm at the time of my decease also three hundred and fifty bushels of corn and one hundred bushels of oats and all the household and kitchen furniture that I may be in possession of at the time of my decease.

Item second)
I devise and bequeath that my son Judson Lett shall have the Brown three-year-old colt with a new saddle and bridle (named in item first) with the addition of one fine suit of clothes and a new Bible when he is twenty-one years of age.

Item 3rd)
I devise and bequeath that my two youngest sons Leander and Elmer Lett shall each have a colt saddle and bridle when they reach the age of twenty-one years and that each of them shall have a fine suit of clothes and a new Bible at the same time.

Item 4th)
I devise and bequeath that my five children, to wit; John, Samuel, Judson, Leander and Elmer Lett shall each have a bed and bedding and one new Bible except such that has been bequeath a Bible in the foregoing items.

Item 5th)
I devise and bequeath to my daughter, Lenora Lett, my sidesaddle and bridle with a colt worth fifty dollars or the equivalent.

Item 6th)
And further it is my wish and desire that my minor children, to wit; Judson, Leander and Elmer Lett of whom I am the guardian by will and by nature, maintained on this farm in harmony with the provisions of the will of my late husband James Lett, deceased, and that John and Samuel Lett, two of my sons, be appointed guardian for that purpose.

Item 7th)
I further devise that if there should be any of my property left after fulfilling the foregoing bequeaths at the time my youngest son Elmer Lett becomes of age it shall be sold and equally divided between the above named six heirs and my George W. Lett, and my daughter Malind Mary Brown. I devise that an appraisement under the sale of my personal property be made and that the Court of Probate direct the execution of the same, in pursuance of the Statute. I do hereby revoke all former wills by me made. In testimony hereof I have herewith set my hand and seal this twenty-fifth day of December in the year 1871.

Margaret Lett (seal)

Signed and acknowledged by said Margaret Lett as her last will and testament in our presence and signed by us in her presence.

James Eakin
Joseph Tate