Will of William Gillelan
Submitted by  Lesli Christian

Item 1: I give and devise to my beloved wife, in lieu of her dower, the farm on which we now reside, located in the county aforesaid, containing about forty acres; also one other lot joining said farm on the south side of said premises, containing about forty acres, during her natural life, and all the stock, household goods, furniture, provisions and other goods and (?) which may be thereon at the time of my decease, during her natural life, as aforesaid, she however selling so much thereof as may be sufficient to pay my just debts. At the decease of my said wife, the real estate aforesaid, and such (?) of said personal property or the proceeds thereof as may then remain unconsumed and unexpended I give and (?) to my sons and daughters with the same to be divided equally to them and their heirs.

If, however, either of my said children aforesaid should die before the decease of my wife, then said children is to have the legal right of one heirship, which may be divided equally among said heirs, and so on alternately (?). But if any of my said children should die before the decease of my said wife, leaving no heirs, then I devise and bequeath the said property after the decease of my said wife, to the other heirs equally as aforesaid. And if my said wife should not survive me, then I devise and bequeath the property aforesaid, personal and real, to my children and their heirs equally as aforesaid at my decease, after disposing thereof so much of said property as will pay my just debts. And I do hereby revoke all former arrangements between me and my said wife and family by me made. In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty ninth (29th) day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two (1842).

William (X)Gillelan
(His mark)