Will of Ambrose Danford 1783 - 1850

This is the Will of Ambrose Danford the son of Peter Danford and Mercy Ewing.  Received from the Belmont County Probate Court in March 2000 and transcribed by Ron Reid.

Will of Ambrose Danford

  In the name of the great Benefactor and Father of all.  I Ambrose Danford of Belmont County and State of Ohio, do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament in the manner and for no following that is I freely consign my body to the earth that has so long supported it and my spirit I command to the fountain from which it eminated.  And now for my earthly concerns I will and order that after the payment of my just debts and funeral expense the following distribution to be made of my real and personal estate and all and every interest in which ownership can possible be concerned in.
 First: I give, grant, bequeath and devise to my eldest daughter Mercy Danford intermarried with Michael Danford all the land with the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appurtaining  being part and parcel of my homestead tract or tract¹s and lying and being on the North side of Captina Creek, the middle of which stream by and with the meanders thereof shall be the Southern boundary of the above granted or devise which shall be her the said Mercy Danford¹s entire proportions of my entire estate both real and personal, burdened however with the payment of three hundred dollars to Dorsey Danford illigitimate son of Nancy S. Danford on his the said Dorsey becoming of full age.
  Now for the rest and residue of my estate real and personal, I will and order that it descend to my other Heirs, being seven in number namely; Margaret Danford intermarried with Philip King, Maria Danford, intermarried with Benjamin Shepherd, Jane Danford intermarried with William Emerson, Sarah W. Danford, intermarried with William Daniel, Nancy S. Danford unmarried, and my two Sons, Milton Danford and Charles H. Danford being my legal and legitimate Heirs , and I will and order that they receive share and share alike according to a Statute of Ohio State regulating the course of descent and distribution of real and personal estate burdened however with the payment of one hundred dollars each to the said Dorsey Danford when he shall become of full age.
  Signed with my hand this Seventh day of Oct. A. D. One thousand eight hundred and fifty.
         Ambrose Danford
In presence of
 Jonathan Wheeler

 Samuel Danford Codicil

I Ambrose Danford of Belmont County Ohio do this sixteenth day of November in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty make and publish this codicil to my last will and testament in manner following that is to say I give to my daughter Nancy S. Danford all my beds and bedding and household and kitchen furniture including my clock and case together with all manner of things appurtaining to and generally need about a well furnished house.
  And to my son Charles H. Danford, I give my wardrobe and library.  And lastly it is my desire that this my present-codicil be annexed to and made a part of my last will and testament to all intents and purposes.
  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Sixteenth day of November in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty.
  Signed sealed published and declared by the          Ambrose Danford
above named Ambrose Danford as a codicil to
be ammended to his last will and testament in
presence of Jonathan Wheeler
 
 Samuel Danford Probate
The State of Ohio Belmont County.  Court of Common Pleas, Special Term A.D. 1850 Nov 26
  The last will and testament and the Codicil thereto of Ambrose Danford late of Belmont County dead was this day brought into Court and presented for Probate and it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court by the testimony Jonathan Wheeler and Samuel Danford the subscribing witnesses to said will and Codicil taken in open court and reduced to writing and filed, that said will and Codicil was duly attested and executed, that the testator at the time of executing the same was of sound mind and memory of full age and not under any restraint whereupon the Court approve said will and Codicil thereto and order that the same be recorded together with the testimony now taken. On motion the Court grant letters testamentary on said estate to Samuel Danford and Samuel Ring the Executors named in said will upon them giving bond with security in the sum of six thousand dollars conditioned according to Law, and Michael Danford and Jacob Neiswanger? being offered are accepted as such security.  The Court appoint George Walters, John Taggart and Lewis Mechem appraisers of the estate and effects of said deceased.

     Evidence

The State of Ohio, Belmont County.
  At a special term of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, begun and held in the Court House of said County, on the 26th of November A.D. 1850.  Jonathan Wheeler and Samuel Danford the subscribing witness to a paper writing this day presented to said Court for Probate purporting to be the last will and testament of Ambrose Danford late of said of said County, (sic) deceased came into Court, and each being solemnly affirmed in open Court.  The said Jonathan Wheeler for himself upon his solemn affirmation saith that he saw the Testator sign the said paper writing as and for his last will and testament and the Codicil thereto, that he subscribed the same as a witness thereto in the presence of the testator his request.  That at the time of signing was of sound mind and memory, twenty on years of age and not under any restraint.        Jonathan Wheeler
  And the said Samuel Danford for himself upon his Solemn affirmation saith that he saw the testator sign said will and the Codicil thereto, that the subscribed the same as a witness thereto in the presence of the Testator and at his request, the said testator at the time of signing said will was of sound mind and memory, twenty one years of age and not under any restraint.   Samuel Danford
  Taken reduced to writing. and subscribed in open Court, this the 26 day of November A.D. 1850
Attest.
 John H. Heaton  Clerk
  I John H. Heaton Clerk of said Court do hereby certify that the foregoing is a compleri Reson of the Will and Codicil of Ambrose Danford deceased. together with the entry of the Probate thereof, and the testimony taken to prove the same.  John H. Heaton. Clerk.