Joseph DECKER

Be it remembered that at the October Term, [the Latin words for AD], eighteen hundred and forty four of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the aforesaid county of Guernsey in the State of Ohio - begun and held at and in the Court House within and for the said county of Guernsey on the fourteenth day of October of said year - the last will and testament of Joseph Decker late of said county of Guernsey deceased, being brought into Court for Probate and Christopher Hammon and Hugh McComb the subscribing witnesses to the annexed last will and testiment of Joseph Decker, deceased, appeared in open Court and the said Christopher Hammon being duly affirmed and the said Hugh McComb being duly sworn each for himself, upon his solum oath, sais that he saw the said testator sign said will, that he signed the same as a witness thereto in the presence and at the request of said testators. That the said testator at the time of signing said will was of sound mind and memory of full age and not under any restraint - Which said will is in the words and figures following towit:

I Joseph Decker, of the county of Guyernsey, in the state of Ohio, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form, as is to say _

First it is my will that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be fully paid.

Second, I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Catherine Decker one cow which she may choose - and one half of the house we now live in - and one third of the income or rent of the farm we now occupy, her cow kept and firewood found for her during her natural life, and if she should need it is my will that she shall have half of the rent of my farm.

Third, I give and devise unto my oldest son, John Decker, five dollars to be paid him by my executors after my death, having already given him his part

Forth, I give and bequeath [bottom of page is missing but it is most likely "unto my daughters"] Elizabeth, wife of John Moore, Sarah wife of Daniel Hunt, Mary Jane Decker, Catherine Decker, Nancy Decker & Lileby Decker the last [unreadable] seven children to share and share alike, except Henry, who must have a horse and saddle when he becomes twenty one years of age & Mary Jane, Catherine & Lileby to have such things as their sisters got when they were married, when any just debts are paid.

Fifth, It is my will & desire, that they executors of this my will shall make sale of so much of my personal property as may with the debts due me pay off all the debts against my estate and at or after the death of my wife the executors to sell land and

Lastly, I hereby constitute and appoint Leewis Decker & Christopher Hartman to be the executors for this my last will and testament revoking and annuling all former will by me made and ratifiying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 8th day August 4, 1844.

Joseph Decker (Seal)

In presence of us
Christopher Hammon
Hugh McComb
I Thomas W. Peacock Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said county of Guernsey hereby certify that the foregoing testimony was taken in open Court on this fourteenth day of October [the Latin Words for AD] eighteen hundred and forty-four and that the said will was approved by the Court and ordered to be recorded with the testimony taken to prove the same.

Attest:
Thos. W. Peacock Clerk G C P

Submitter's Note: I am a 3rd great granddaughter of Joseph Decker.