I, John Tope, of the County of state ohio,do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following: that is to say,
First, It
is my Will that all my
funeral expenses and all my just debts be paid.
Second, I
give and devise and
bequeath to my beloved wife, Mary Tope, all the household furniture
and two cows also one
sorrel mare while she lives.
Third, I
give to my son, Joseph
Tope, the farm on which I live at this
time situated in Salem Township, Jefferson County, Ohio,
containing one hundred and fifty acres, also
all the personal property
not otherwise bequeathed
The said Joseph Tope is to
let my beloved wife have
the house in which I now live.
While she lives also he
to furnish her with
everything that is necessary
for her comfort
While she lives the said
Joseph Tope is to pay Fourteen Hundred dollars. Also
the said Joseph Tope
is to pay all my debts and all other expenses that may accrue.
Fourth, I
give to my son, Jacob
Tope, Forty acres of land situated in
Carroll County and State of Ohio. Also
One Hundred and Fifty Dollars, the said money to be paid in
the course of six years
from my decease.
Fifth, I
give to my daughter,
Mary Alford, and her heirs Forty-two acres
land situated in Carroll County and State of Ohio.
Sixth, I
give to my son, George
Tope, Four Hundred and Fifty Dollars.
Also one bed and bedding at
the decease of my beloved
wife.
Seventh, I
give to my daughter,
Phebe Berchfield, One Hundred and Fifty Dollars.
Eighth, I
give to my daughter.
Nancy Christ, One Hundred and Fifty Dollars.
Ninth, I
give to my daughter,
Delilah Myers, One Hundred Fifty Dollars.
Tenth, I
give to my daughter.
Fanny Roland, Ohe Hundred Fifty Dollars.
Eleventh, I
give to my daughter,
Rebecca Christ, One Hundred Fifty Dollars.
Twelfth, I
give to my grandchild,
Levi Tope, Twenty-five Dollars.
Thirteenth, I
give to my
granddaughter, Susanna Houzer, Twenty-five Dollars.
Fourteenth, I
give to my son, John
Tope, Two Dollars.
Fifteenth, All
the household goods is
to be equally divided between my
daughters after the decease
of my beloved wife.
Sixteenth, The
said Joseph Tope is to
pay the within legacies in six years after my decease.
And lastly, I hereby constitute
and appoint John F. Browning
to be the
executor for this my last
will testament revoking and
annulling all former
wills by me made satisfying
confirming this and no other
to be my last will testament.
In
testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal
this 8th day of March
1844.
Source: The History of the Tope Family, 1982, Becky Darr, p. 9.