The will and last testament of Ebenezer Adams, dated April 18, 1873
The following is transcribed verbatim with notes added by Marlin Adams.
"In the name of God amen
I Ebenezar Adams of the Township of California County of Branch and State of Michigan farmer aged 81 years being of Sound and disposing Mind and memory and fully Competant to do with mine own as I will, do make and publish this as my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all other Wills and Testaments by me at any time heretofore made. Especially rvoking my Will made October 5th 1869.
I nominate and appoint my Son Charles Adams and my friend David Paul of California Branch County State of Michigan Executors of this my last will and Testament It is my wish and will that my debts and funeral expences be promptly paid by my executors directly after my decease I give devise and bequeath to my Son Charles Adams all that certain piece or parcle of land Situate in the Township of Camden in the Counyty of Hillsdale and State of Michigan Known as the West half of the East half of the SouthWest fractional quarter of Section Seven (7) 8S4W. Containing forty acres of land more or less I also give and bequeath to my Son Charles Adams three hundred and fifty dolars. Payable one half in one year and one half in two years after my death, without interst
I give and devise and bequeath to my Son Ira Adams the undivided half of the following piece or parcle of land Situate in the Township of Camden County of Hillsdale and State of Michigan namely the North West quarter of the North west Quarter of Section Number Eighteen (18) in Said Township 8.S. Range 4 W. also the Entire East Half of the East Half of the Said Soouth West fractional quarter of Section Number Seven (7) Conataining forty acres of land more or less " E ½ of E ½ SW ¼ Sec 7 and undivided ½ NW ¼ of NW ¼ Sec 18 Town 8. S. R4w.
I also give and bequeath to my daughter Caroline Adams One Thousand dollars payable one half in one year and one half in two years after my death without interest. I also give and bequeath to each of my grandsons Edwin Patee and Alvin Patee and to my grand daughter Frances Richardson children of my deceased daughters Harriet and Maria, the Sum of two hundred and fifty dollars, payable one half in one year and one half in two years after my death without interest.
I give and bequeath to Nelson Hutchins of Steuben County Indiana in trust for his Son, my grandson Admiral Nelson Hutchins the Sum of Fifteen Hundred dollars. Payable one half in one year and one half in two years after my death. To be by the Said Nelson Hutchins paid over or accounted for to Said Son Admiral Nelson within five years after my decease. In case of the death of Said Admiral before Said trust is fullfilled, the Said fifteen hundred dollars or so much thereof as may remain in the hands of the Said Nelson Hutchins is hereby bequeathed to the heirs of Said Admiral N. Hutchins.
I give devise and bequeath to my two Sons Cahrles Adams and Ira A Adams, the following pieces or parcles of land Situate in the Township of California County of Branch and State of Michigan namely: the South East Quarter of Section Twelve (12) and one acre of the land in the North east corner of the East half of the North East Quarter of Section thirteen (13) I also give devise and bequeath to my Said two Sons Charles and Ira all the rest and residue of my Estates real and personal or mixed wheresoever Situate or to which I may be entitled at the time of my decease
The foregoing devises and bequeats of my homesteads of Eighty one acres of land and of my personal property and residency Estate to my sons Caharles and Ira are made subject to the payment by my executors or by said Charles and Ira of the above mentiones declared legacies I do declare that any gifts that I may make hereafter top any or either of the above named devisees or legaties shall in no wise affect the disposition herein made of my Estate
In testimony whereof I the said Ebenezer Adams have to this my last will and Testament contained on one sheet of paper subscribed my name and affeixed my seal this Eighteenth day of April AD one thousand eight-hundred and seventy three (1873) – at the township of California County of Branch and State of Michigan
Ebenezer Adams LS
Signed sealed published and declared by said Ebenezer Adams as and for his last will and Testament in presence of us who at his request and in his presences and in the presence of each other have Subscribed our names as witnesses thereto
Hiram Thompson California Branch Co. Michigan
William Baker " " " "
William R Montgomery City of Hillsdale Mich"
Filed in Probate Court Branch County Michigan 11th December 1875.