In the name of God, amen, I, William Mackey, of the said State and County being of advanced age, but of sound and disposing mind and memory, knowing that I must shortly depart this life, deem it right and proper, both as respects to my family and myself, that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind Providence has blessed me. I do therefore make this my last will and testament hereby revoking and annulling all others by me heretofore made.
Item 1. I devise and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian-like manner, suitable to my circumstances and conditions in life; my soul I trust shall return to rest with God, who gave it, as I hope for eternal salvation through the merits and atonement of the blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Item 2 I devise and direct that all my just debts be paid without delay by my Executor hereinafter named and appointed.
Item 3 I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Sinia, for and during her natural life only, all my property, both real and personal, whatever and wherever it might be, to be used by her, to said Sinia, as a support. After the estate ? is over, the residue of my property, whatever and wherever it may be, to be distributed among the legal heirs or legatees of my said estate as follows:
Item 4
First: I devise and desire that my grandson, Miles R. Mackey
have
$200. and a heifer yearling, such as he may choose from my
stock of cattle and then become an equal heir to the
residue of my property.
Second: I devise and direct that my daughter, Stevens, to be an equal heir of said estate with the exception I have given her thirty dollars of which shall be deducted from her interest.
Third: I desire and direct that my granddaughter, Sarah J. Boone, to be an equal heir with no deductions.
Fourth: I desire and direct that John M. Shepherd, Sr., CarolineJ., Laura W., Malissa and Frances R. Shepherd, daughters of Rebecca Shepherd deceased, draw one share of my estate, to be equally divided between them.
Fifth: I desire and direct that my daughter, Epsey J. Kinney , draw one share of my said estate.
Sixth: I desire and direct that my daughter, Louisa Ward draw one share of said estate, minus forty dollars.
Seventh: I desire and direct, that my son Jesse Mackey having already received property to the amount of six hundred dollars, have no further interest in my estate.
Eighth: Having given to my son, John C. Mackey property to wit: the land whereon the said John C. Mackey now lives, and a good horse, to the amount of some six-hundred dollars, I desire and direct that he have no further interest in my estate.
Ninth: I hereby constitute and appoint my son John C. Mackey and son-in-law James Kinney, Executors of this my last will and testament
This March 18th , 1870
(signed)
Recorded in Minute Book A.
1886-1891, pages 250 and 251. Probated in December 1870.
Eileen Babb McAdams