Will Book C, Pages 477-478

The Last Will and Testament of Martha Jane Mercer 

I, Martha Jane Mercer, at this time a resident of Martin County in the State of Indiana, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made. 

Item 1 – It is my will that, first out of my estate, I be given proper and decent burial, and a proper marker placed at my grave, showing the date of my death, that my maiden name was Martha Jane Strother, and date of birth Nov. 22, 1843, properly arranged on such marker. 

Item 2 – That all of my just debts be paid out of my estate. 

Item 3 – That I give and bequeath to my friend William Rumley and Mary Rumley, his wife, of near Seymour, Indiana, all of my household effects. 

Item 4 – I give and bequeath to my friend Fred W. Sims, all of my real estate in West Harrisonville, in Martin County, Indiana, consisting of four lots with the residence, and store house and lots, being lots 19, 20, 27 and 28, in West Harrisonville, and lots 1 and 2 in Hotel Block Addition to West Harrisonville together with all buildings thereon. 

Item 5 – I give and bequeath to my friend Flora C. Reinbold, the sum of $200. 

Item 6 – To my friend Samuel P. Yenne the sum of $200. I give and bequeath because of kindness and favors rendered me. 

Item 7 – I give and bequeath to my friend James B. Marshall, because of favors heretofore rendered me, $200. 

Item 8 – I give and bequeath to my friend Leonard Porter, for favors rendered me, the sum of $200. 

Item 9 – Because of kind treatment rendered me by Edgar Witcher, in giving me use of easy chair in the bank when there, I give and bequeath to him the sum of $200. 

Item 10 – It is my will and desire that after payment of the above and foregoing bequests, and the expense of administration of my estate, any surplus remaining, that the same be divided between Fred Sims, Flora C. Reinbold, Samuel P. Yenne, James B. Marshall, Leonard Porter, Edgar Witcher, and to William Rumbly and Mary Rumbly, jointly, one share. 

Item 11 – I constitute and appoint my friend James B. Marshall, executor of this my last will and testament. 

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 14th day of August, 1918.

                                                                        Martha Jane Mercer. 

The foregoing instrument, signed, sealed and acknowledged by Martha Jane Mercer, as and for her last will and testament, in our presence, who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto, this 14th day of August, 1918.

                                                                        Carlos T. McCarty
                                                                        F. B. Crim

 State of Indiana, Martin County, ss:

Before me, Sherman McPherson, Clerk of the Martin Circuit Court, personally came Carlos T. McCarty, one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of Martha J. Mercer, late of Martin County, Indiana, deceased, and being duly sworn on his [oath] say that he was present at the execution of said last will; that the same was duly executed, that at the time of the execution thereof, said testator was of full age to devise her property, of sound mind and memory and not under any coercion or restraint, that said testator requested him and Frank B. Crim to sign said will as witnesses thereto, which he accordingly did in the presence of said testator and in the presence of each other as subscribing witnesses thereto.

                                                                         Carlos T. McCarty.

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 31st day of October, 1922.
                                                                        Sherman McPherson, Clerk.