Wills
Transcribed and submitted by L. Hess
Will of Hophni Smith
I, Hophni Smith of the town of Monroe in the county of Orange being of sound mind and memory (blessed to the Almighty God for the same) do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form as follows. viz.
1st I give and bequeath to my wife Lydia the ? and possession of all my real and personal estate or property of whatever nature or description the same may be until my youngest child, Margaret. shall arrive at the age of eighteen years. I hereby direct my executors after my decease to take an inventory of all my personal property and also another inventory when my daughter Margaret is eighteen years of age of the personal property remain in the hands of my widow and if any discrepancy be found between the last and the first appraisal it shall be made up by my widow. I hereby give to my executors, while this personal property is in the hands of my widow leave to dispose of or exchange the same as they think best for the interest of the same taking care at all times that it must not be lessened in value.
2nd It is my will that after my youngest child arrives at the age of eighteen years that my executors should sell all my real and personal estate and execute good and sufficient titles for the real estate, and the monies arising from the sale of said property whatever real or personal shall be equally divided between my eight children viz. David, Albert, Adeline, Samuel, Sarah Ann, Mary Jane, Hophni, and Margaret.
3rd I give to my son Sidney the sum of fifty dollars to be paid to him by my executors after the sale of my property as above directed, before a distribution is made to to other children.
4th I hereby nominate and appoint my wife Lydia Smith and my son David Smith executors of this my last will and testament. In witness my hand and seal this 22 day of Sept. 1849. Hophni Smith
____________________