The below document was obtained when I was at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City in Oct. 2008. Horace Adams was my 3rd great-uncle and I decided to transcribe it so a descendant could benefit from it's content.
“In the name of God Amen, I HORACE ADAMS of the town of Stafford County of Genesee and State of New York being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of life do therefore make, ordain, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament that is to say. First I give and bequest to my beloved wife BETSEY the use of my household furniture and the use of one third of all of my real estate during her natural life to be accepted and received by her in lieu of dower – Second I give and bequest to my niece JANE KING the sum of seventy dollars to be paid to her when she arrives at the age of twenty-one years – Third I give and bequeath to my son AMOS the some of three hundred dollars Fourth – After the payment of all of my just debts, and funeral expenses, I give and bequeath to my children AMOS ADAMS, EMILY BROWN, AMANDA KNAPP, HORACE ADAMS, GEORGE ADAMS, JOHN Q. A. ADAMS, SARAH JANE ADAMS, CHARLES ADAMS, MARY ADAMS and FITCH ADAMS all of my remaining real estate and personal estate to be divided equally between them, it being my express intention that my son AMOS shall receive the above legacy of $300 over and above any of the rest of my said children – It is my further desire and request that my said children shall manage to keep the real estate together as a homestead so long as the same can be done consistently with the intent of the parties. It is my further desire that said real estate shall so long as it remains together as a homestead be cultivated in a husband-like manner. And lastly I make constitute and appoint Leonard Foster to be executer of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
In witness whereof I have hereunto all set and subscribed my name and affixed my seal the twentieth day of February the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-Five.”
HORACE ADAMS
Genesee Co., New York Probate records. Record of Wills, 1809-1911, v. 5: 376 (1840-1857). FHL Film #810481.
