Book 2, Pages 140-141
Proven: August 3, 1874

I, Elisha Dodson, do make and publish this as my last will and testament hereby revoking void all other wills by me at any time made.

First – I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debts be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any money that I may die possessed of or may first come into the hands of executors.

Secondly – I give and bequeath to my loving wife Francis Dodson the one half of the proceeds of my ___ after paying expenses of repairs and making crop, the other half to whoever may live with her, ___ at one half of the expenses of keeping up the farm and making crop, if there should be a surplus after a decent support for her, then the balance to be divided equally between my heirs and I further give to her the full control of my house together with also the property she may choose to keep, both households and kitchen furniture, this to be determined on by my executors.

I also give one horse ___ oxen and waggon, two cows and calves the one half of the hogs and the sheep, it is should take this to support her, this to be determined on by her and my executors.

If should be any stock left then to be sold and the money divided between my heirs equally and further also the farming utensils, my executors may think necessary to carry on the farm and at her death all and every thing she may die possessed of, to be sold and the money deriving therefrom to be equally divided between my heirs, having referred to a book of accounts I have notes against my heirs.

I further will that Marshall Hartman and Susan Hartman his wife live with their mother and have half the profits of the farm after the expenses are paid for raising the crop and keeping up the farm.

I further will that if Fanny Dodson live with her grandmother, and behave herself until she marries, at her grandmothers death she shall have one bed, bedstead and furniture, one cow and calf and two dollars in money to buy cupboard and cooking utensils.

Thirdly – I bequeath to my grandson, John K. Dodson two hundred and fifty dollars or one tenth part of what my real estate may bring to be kept by my executors and paid to him at the age of twenty one years, retaining the interest for their trouble.

I appoint my executors hereinafter named his lawful guardian or trustee.

Fourthly – I will that one or more of my heirs take my landed estate at the sum of two thousand five hundred dollars and paid to the other heirs their proportional part of that same, after retaining her or their part and if none of the heirs will take the place at the price, then to be sold to the highest bidder and the money arriving from the sale to be equally divided between my heirs having reference to the book of accounts, kept against my heirs.

Fifthly and lastly, I appoint my son Samuel E. Dodson and Marshall Hartman my executors,

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty first day of January 1874.

Witness:

S. C. Davis
James K. Dodson

Transcribed by Betty Mize