Filed and Proven: July 7, 1879

I John H. Morell being of sound and perfect mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all or any wills by me at anytime made which is as follows to wit:

First – I have deeded to my two oldest sons C. Morell and I. N. Morell one hundred and ninety acres of land as their just portion of my real estate being the south west end of my lands which land was surveyed and divided between them and deeds made to each one.

Second – I will that as soon as my son Samuel Morell shall arrive at the age of twenty one years to have his portion adjoining the land of C. and I. N. Morell off of my land according to quality and quantity so as to be equal in value to either one of them.

Thirdly – I will to my daughter Mary C. Chesnutt five hundred dollars in money.

Fourthly – I will to my daughter Laura M. Chesnutt five hundred dollars in money the amount willed to each one of them to be paid in seven years from this date by my hereafter named executors or sooner if convenient for my executors to do so the money to be made out of the surplus stock now on hand and the balance of the money to be made out of the surplus proceeds of the farm.

Fifth – I will that the remainder of my land after Samuel Morell is laid off of as before directed to be equally divided between my five younger children to wit: Roda Morell, Sarah Morell, Robert Morell, Martha Morell and John Henry Morell according to quantity and quality so as to be equal in value and further to be divided so as to allot the homestead will be assigned to Robert and John Henry Morell the aforesaid distribution to be made in twelve months after my death and further the last named five children not to have possession before they arrive at the age of twenty one years but each one of them to have possession as soon as he or she become to be twenty one years old.

Sixth – I will that my beloved wife Sarah Morell to have full possession of all my land except that part which I have willed to my sons C. Morell and I. N. as heretofore named but she is to have full possession of all the balance till them respectfully arrive at the age of twenty one years of age and in the event that my wife Sarah Morell should be living when my younger son John Henry Morell becomes to be twenty one years old she is to have possession of the northeast room of my present dwelling house during her natural life or in the event she should prefer to live somewhere else on the farm I hereby bind all my heirs to build her a comfortable house sufficient large for her convenience for her to have and to hold during her lifetime and I hereby bind all my heirs to see that my wife be plentifully supported during her lifetime.

As to my personal property I will of the household and kitchen furniture to my wife Sarah Morell for her and the minor children use and I also will to my wife one wagon and enough of the work stock to run the farm and all the farming utensils now on hand together with plenty of cows, sheep, hogs and things necessary for the proper support and maintenance of the family and also I will that my son Samuel Morell have the horse colt that he now claims.

Lastly – I hereby appoint C. Morell and I. N. Morell my executors of this my last will and testament.

John H. [X] Morell (his mark) (Seal)

Made, Signed and delivered in the presence of us this the 1 Day of November 1878.

Witness:

Henry Tarter
Dell Shiffey

Transcribed by Betty Mize