This is the will for Daniel4 (Henry3, Henry2,William1).
Daniel Kerley, Last Will and Testament, Filed and admitted to record, October 6, 1851, J. W. Pearce
In the name of God, Amen, Whereas, I, Daniel Kerley, of Johnson County, State of Illinois, being much advanced in years, and knowing from the order of nature that my time of departure from this world is drawing nigh, feeling it a duty before I am called away to make a just and equitable of the property which I may leave behind me, and being at the present time of sound mind and memory for which I feel thankful to the father of all mercies, do hereby make this my last will and testament, in ?????, to wit:
First, I will and direct that my just debts and funeral expenses be paid.
Second, lovingly me and my wife, Mary, have accumulated our worldly property, and agreeably and affectionately we have enjoyed the fruits of our labour for many years, and should she outlive me, that she should never be wanting, I will and bequeath unto her all my personal property and household furniture, also my homestead farm composed of eighty acres of land which I entered myself during her lifetime, and after her death said homestead to be disposed as is devised hereafter.
Third, to our oldest son, Woodson West, I will and bequeath the farm he now lives on (being the same farm I purchased of Abraham Shelby), to have and to hold the same with all the rights and appurtenances ????? belonging or in any wise appertaining ?? his heirs and assigns forever.
Fourth, to our second son, Osbern Kerley, I will and bequeath all that certain forty acres of land on which he now lives which I ?????? him the money to enter, and hereby release and acquit him of all claims I may have against him for the money.
Fifth, to Nelson Martin, whom we have raised and who now lives with us, and who has been a faithful, trusty boy, I will and bequeath my homestead farm consisting of eighty acres of land after the death of my wife, Mary, and to his heirs and assigns forever. Also, my Jack, Bob, after the death of my wife Mary I hereby will and bequeath to said Nelson, as his sole and only property.
L. W. Fern and Joseph Mathews, both of the said county of Johnson I hereby appoint and constitute them or either of them executors of this, my last will and testament. In witness hereof of I have hereunto set my ??? and seal this 26th day of April,1851.
Daniel Kerley (His mark) (MLK: Not his signature)
Signed, sealed and delivered and acknowledged to be his actual deed in the presence of L. Mcfew, John Trout
State of Illinois
Johnson County
I certify that on the 6th day of October, 1851, it being a regular term of the county court of said county of Johnson personally appeared in open court L.W. Fern and John Trout, two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of Daniel Kerley, dec., and being by me duly sworn according to law, says upon their oaths that they were present and saw the said Daniel Kerley sign, seal and deliver said last will and testament and that they believe that he was of sound mind and memory at the time of signing same.
Witness J.N. Pearce, clerk, and this seal of the Johnson County Court herto affixed at office in Vienna, October 6, 1851
J. N. Pearce, clerk> Few