The will of John W. Rockhold. Fulton County IL

Note: Transcription is followed by images of the will and the filing of the will.

Know all men by these presents, that I John Rockhold of the county of Fulton and State of Illinois being of sound mind and disposing memory but frail in body and knowing the uncertainty of life do make and publish this as my last will and testament.

       First, it is my duty and desire that all my just debts shall be paid. 

       Second, I hereby give and bequeath to my son Elijah Rockhold and his heirs and assign forever the South East quarter of Section Eleven in Township Seventeen (17) north of the Ranges three (3) East situated in the Territory of Nebraska and subject to entry at Omaha Land Office.  The certificate of entry of said land I have thus duly assigned to said Elijah Rockhold and it is my further will and desire that my said son Elijah shall also have and hold the old family the old family clock from and after my death.

       Third, it is my will and desire that my son John M. Rockhold who justly owes me the sum of three hundred dollars shall pay to my daughter Ann Hines (usually called Nancy Hines) the sum of two hundred dollars and that the said John M. Rockhold shall pay the interest on the other one hundred dollars to my beloved wife Rebecca Rockhold during her life time and that after her death that said one hundred dollars shall belong to the said John M. Rockhold.

       Fourth, my son in law P. J. Strong being indebted to me by notes for the sum of two hundred dollars & interest. It is my will and desire that the said     P. J. Strong shall pay the interest on said notes to my beloved wife Rebecca for and during her life time.  Said interest to be paid as my said wife may desire the sum and at the death of my said wife I give and bequeath the said two hundred dollars to my daughter Delia Strong wife of said P. J. Strong and her heirs. 

       Fifth, My son in law Solomon Shoupe is indebted to me by note in the sum of one hundred dollars.  It is my will and desire that the said one hundred dollars & interest shall be given to the children of Miriam Shoup, wife of said S. Shoup.

    Sixth, My sons David & John M. Rockhold being justly indebted to me by note to the amount of twelve hundred dollars and interest on the same which said amount is secured by mortgage on Real Estate in the town of Abington, County of Knox, Sate of Illinois.  It is my will and desire that the said mortgage shall be foreclosed and that the amount thereof shall be collected from my son David and when so collected shall be equally divided amongst all my children David included.  It is further my express will and desire and I humbly so direct that no part or portion of the above shall be collected of or from my son John M. Rockhold.

       Seventh, It is my will and desire that at my death that my beloved wife Rebecca shall have and hold my homestead in the Town of Canton, County of Fulton, State of Illinois, being the house in which I now reside and the land thereto attached, and all the household furniture and all my personal property not otherwise disposed of, giving to her the right and authority to sell said homestead at public or private sale.  It is my further desire that if my wife shall sell said property, that out of the proceeds she shall advance or loan to my son Gilbert Rockhold the sum of two hundred dollars and he shall pay her the interest thereon during her life time.  And at or before her death it shall be optional with my said wife to bequeath said two hundred dollars to my said son Gilbert or other wise dispose of the same.

      Eighth, It is my will and desire that Elijah Rockhold and Charles Rockhold shall be my executors of this my last will and testament and I hereby so nominate and appoint them and request them to act as such.

      Ninth, I hereby revoke and annul all other wills & codicils and declare this to be my last will & testament.  In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this 24^th day of August AD 1862 in the presence of Charley Rockhold, Andrew Wells & Imanuelle Barrire.

                                                                           his

                                                                    John X Rockhold              Seal

                                                                          Mark

Signed and Sealed in the presence of the undersigned who were present and heard said will read over to said John Rockhold and who at the request of said John Rockhold and in his presence signed the same as witnesses.

                                                                          Charles W. Rockhold

                                                                          Andrew Wells

                                                                          Imanuelle Barrire

State of Illinois

Fulton County                                        In County Court, January                               Term 1863

I do solemnly swear that this writing contains the true last will and testament of John W. Rockhold deceased, so far as I know or believe and that I will well and truly execute the same by paying first the debts and then the legacies mentioned therein as far as his goods and chattels will extend and the Law charges me, and that I will make a true and perfect Inventory of all such goods and chattels Eights and credits as may come to my hands or knowledge belonging of the Estate of said deceased and render a fair and just account of my executor ship when therewith required by Law to the best of my knowledge and abilities so help me God.

                            E. Rockhold (signed)

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 26^th day of January 1863

                    Joseph Dycles, clerk