In the name of God Amen,
         I John Read of the county of Henry and State of Missouri being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of life, do therefore make, ordain, publish, and declare this to be my last will and testament, that is to say:
         First, after all my lawful debts are paid and discharged the residue of estate, real and personal, I give, bequeath, and dispose of as follows. Viz: to my beloved wife Martha E. Read, the following tracts or parcels of land. Viz: the North East 1/4 of Section thirty five, 35, of township forty two 42 of Range twenty eight. 28, containing 160 acres and the South East 1/4 of the North West 1/4 and the North West 1/4 of the South East 1/4 of Section thirty five, 35, of township forty two 42, of Range twenty eight, 28 containing 80 acres, and the South East 1/4 of the South East 1/4 of Section twenty six, 26, of township forty two, 42, of Range twenty eight, 28, containing forty acres, and the South East 1/4 of the North West 1/4 of Section twenty four, 24, of township forty two, 42, of Range twenty eight, 28, containing 40 acres. Also the South West 1/4 of South West 1/4 of Section twenty five, township forty two of Range twenty eight containing 40 acres amounting in all 360 acres together with all the appurtenances thereto belonging. Also one Negro woman named MARY, all her children at my death. Also the two choice Negro men that I may have at my death. And a Negro boy named ALFRED. And such farming utensils as she may deem necessary for the cultivation of the farm if found on the premises. Also three mules or horses as she may prefer and select and two cows and calves to be the best. Also five sows and pigs or in lieu thereof hogs to the amount of such sows and pigs at her option. Such hogs to be valued by my executor. Also the fowls on the place together with provisions for herself and family and provisions for such stock as she may have for the term of one year from the time of my death. Also three beds and bedding and three bedsteads selected from our present furniture and all the plate and table ware and kitchen furniture. Also a wagon during her widowhood and after she marries to be divided equally between the heirs of her body when of legal age and should my said wife die without heirs of her body then the property I hereby bequeath to her to revert to the following named persons, my children and grandchildren, Joseph T. READ, W.D. READ, and to the heirs of Betsy Ann FELTS Christian E. HOOKER's heirs and Malinda JAMES heirs. All of whom to have an equal portion, the heir as above specified to have three of the portions divided among them, the other two portions to revert to Joseph and W.D. READ and should either of the persons named die without issue then their portion to revert to the remainder as above named:
         To my son Buchanan I will and bequeath the sum of two thousand dollars in cash and should my wife have another heir by me an additional one thousand dollars making three thousand which amount to be divided equally between Buchanan and said heir.
         And to James READ, Sarah FELTS, John E. READ, and Mary SHERROD each the sum of five dollars in addition to what I have already advanced to them which is as follows: to James READ in sundry articles and cash three hundred and fourteen dollars, Jno. E. READ nine hundred forty two 50/100's dollars, Mary SHERROD thirty seven dollars.
         And Sarah FELTS forty dollars and unto Joseph T. READ, W.D. READ, the heirs of Christian E. HOOKER, the heirs of Betsy Ann FELTS and the heirs of Malinda JAMES, I will the remainder of my estate, real and personal to be divided equally after making said persons equal in amounts as furnished heretofore which is as follows.
         Viz: to Joseph READ one hundred and fourteen dollars. W.D. READ six hundred twenty two and 65/100 dollars, Christian E. HOOKER two hundred eighty four and 25/100 dollars, Betsy Ann FELTS thirty eight dollars, Malinda JAMES one hundred one and 25/100 dollars. Now the above named heirs are to receive three fifths of sd. remainder of estate and Joseph READ and W.D. READ to receive the remaining two fifths and if I should gain the suit pending in Robinson Co. Tennessee (ROBERTSON COUNTY, TN) which is in the hands of Washington Law against Mr. Woody FELTS for fourteen hundred thirty nine 60/100 dollars or any part of said claim the same to be divided as said remainder of estate between Joseph and W.D. READ and the heirs as above written. Likewise I make, constitute and appoint Charles P. FERRIS to be executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills made by me.
         In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal the 19th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven.

         The above written instrument was subscribed by the sd. Jno. READ in our presence and acknowledged by him to each of us and he at the same time published and declared the same to be his last will and testament and we at his request and in his presence have signed our names as witnesses thereto the underlining done before signing.
         N. J. Dunn
         John A. Rogers

         In testimony whereof, I Lewis H. Tutt, Clerk of the county court of Henry and State aforesaid have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said court at office in Clinton this 28th day of August A.D. 1857.

         Be it remembered that at a term of the Henry County Court begun and held at the courthouse in the town of Clinton on Monday the seventh day of September A.D. 1857 present Hon. Daniel Stewart Pres. and William S. Avery and Jno. M. Vanhory asservates the following among other proceedings as had and made of record.
         The last will and testament of John READ deceased is this day presented which was proven before the clerk in vacation by the oaths of John A. ROGERS and Nathan J. DUNN subscribing witnesses to said will which is examined and ordered to be certified.
         Note: Several more paragraphs follow written by James D. Lindsay, judge and ex officio clerk of the probate court for Henry County, Missouri certifying the will and ordering it to be probated. Dated 6 June 1902. Filed for record by Clay Adair, court recorder on 7 June 1902 at 1:40 p.m.