Here is the will of my 3rd great grandfather,  Lemuel Stepenson.  The same will was file in Edgar County,  Illinois as he had property there.  Lemuel's wife died in 1854.  The  Stephenson, Buchanan, Manning  and Wood families of early Clermont County are intermarried. -- Carolee H.


WILL

Plea held before the honorable Isarel Whitaker Samuel Hill and George Willaham associate Judges of the Court of common pleas at the Court house in the Town-Bativa for and at County of Clermont at the term of October AD 1837.

The last will and testament of Lemuel Stephenson late of the county deceased was this day brought before the Court and was proved by the oaths of John Logan and Daniel Hill Junr two of the witnesses hereto whose examination were reduced to writing and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that said Lemuel Stephenson at the time of executing said will was of full age and of sound mind and memory and not under any restraint It is ordered that said will and the proof so reduced to writing be recorded.

Will to wit-

In the name of God Amen. I Lemuel Stephenson of Claremont County and State of Ohio being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory. Blesseth be the Almighty God for the same do make an publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say.

First I commit my body to the dust and my soul to God who gave it and hereby appoint my beloved wife Florence Stephenson my Excutrix and my friend Henry Barkly my Executor.

I do hereby give and bequeath to my beloved wife Florence Stephenson all the estate I am possed of both personal and real (after paying my just debts) to have and to hold during her natural life time and for her entire used of benefit and as I did appoint John McKee of Edgar County & State of Illinois on or about the first of September -one thousand eight hundred and thirty five my attorney in facts to attend to my business there in that state. I hereby continue the power invested in him by that instrument. only that he will act agreeable to the instructions of my Executors and do further give to my above named executors full power to sell and covey all or any part of my estate they ay think best so to as to dispose of the aforesaid state of Illinois either through the aforesaid John McKee or in their own proper persons. And I do hereby revoke all former wills made by me and declare this to be my last in interest where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twenty Sixth day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred & thirty seven. /s/s Lemuel Stephenson

Signed sealed published and declared by the above nameth Lemuel Stephenson to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the testator. /s/ John Logan, Daniel Hill Junr. James Buchanan. State of Ohio, Clermont County /s/s Proof to unit Personally appeared in ? John Logan, Daniel Hill Junr subscribing witness to the last will. (Clermont Will Record book 1, 1829-1843)

Source: Will records, 1810-1900, Ohio. Probate Court (Clermont County), Family History Film #0974424. 1     -- Family History Library


"In 1802, or about that time Lemuel Stephenson, of Delaware, settled above the Camerers, and afterwards lived in Franklin, where he was the first township clerk...His sons lived in Tate or removed to Illinois, and his daughters married William Abraham, James Barber, Sterling Bagby, William Wood, Nicholas Tompkins, Johnson Wyatt, and Joseph Powell"  

Source:  Everts History of Clermont County Page 365

 

Contributed by Carolee H.