RICE, Jasper - Putnam

In the name of the benevolent Father of All, I Jasper Rice of Putnam County and state of Indiana do make and publish my last will and testament:

Item 1: I give and devise to my beloved wife, 28 and two thirds acres ? off of the north end of the north east quarter of section 24 township 16 north range four west; also aff of six acres of the west side of the north west fractional quarter of section 19 township 16 north range 3 west this being her third of my land in lieu of her dower, of the farm on which we now reside, situated in Putnam County, State of Indiana.  I furthermore give and devise to my beloved wife 13 acres one third (13 ½) acres of land lying immediately north and adjoing the above described land in lieu of 300 and 90 ($390) money belonging to her, invested in said land and all the stock, household goods, furniture, provisions and other goods and chattels, which may be thereon at the time of my decease.  I desire that the money derived from the sale of my land situated in Montgomery County towit: Part of the north east quarter of section 34 township 17 north can go four west beginning on the west line of said ¼ section at a stake 609’ north of the southwest corner of the same: thence east 1938.5 feet to a stake: thence south along the west line of said quarter section 1008.8 feet to the place of beginning, containing 44.8 acres more or less, said money first to be applied to the payment of all my just debts and other expenses and the remainder to be divided equally between my three children and in case the above land is not sold at my death, I desire my executor to all the same as soon as possible or convenient thereafter and the money is received to be applied as above stated.

Item 2: I do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife guardian of my son Luther V and my daughter Lovila Rice, until my son Luther V. Rice shall arrive at the age of 21 years and until my daughter Lovila Rice arrives at the age of 21 years or intermarries.  

Item 3:  I do hereby nominate and appoint William B. Gill exec of this my last will and testament, hereby authorizing and empowering him to compromise, adjust, release and did charge in such manners as he may deem proper in – and claims due me, I do also authorize and empower him if it shall be necessary in order to pay my debts to sale at private sale or in such manner upon such terms of credit or otherwise as he may think proper, all or any part of my real estate and deed to purchsers to execute any knowledge and deliver in fee simple.  In testimony hereof I have hereuntil set my hand and seal this the 25th day of July 1878.  Signed & acknowledged by said Jasper Rice as his last will and testament in our presence and signed in his presence.  George Miller – Thomas W. Batman.

The state of Indiana Putnam County do: Be it remembered that on the day of August 1878 Thomas W. Batman one of the subscribing witnesses to the millew and foregoing last will and testament of Jasper Rice late of said county deceased personally appeared before the undersigned clerk of the Circuit court of Putnam County in the state of Indiana and being duly sworn by the clerk of said court upon his oath declared and testified as follows that is to say: that on the 25 day of July AD 1878 he saw the said Jasper Rice sign his name to said instrument in writing as and for his last will and testament and that this deponent at the same time heard the said Jasper Rice declare the said instrument in writing to be his last will and testament and that the said instrument in writing was at the same time at the request of the said Jasper Rice and with his consent attested any subscribed by the said deponent ? and George Miller in the presence of said testator and in the presence of each other as subscribing witnesses thereto and that the said Jasper Rice was at the time of the signing and subscribing of said instrument in writing as aforesaid of full age that is more than 21 years of age and of sound and disposing mind and memory and not under any coersion or restraint as the said deponent cerily believes and further deponent says not.  Sworn to and subscribed by the said Thomas W Batmen before me Moses D. Bridge, Clerk of said Court at Greencastle the 9 day of August 1878.  Thomas W. Batman.  In attestation whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said court MD Bridges, Clerk

I Moses D. Bridges clerk of the Circuit Court of Putnam County, Indiana do hereby certify that the within annexed ? will and testament of Jasper Rice has been duly admitted to probate and duly sworn by the testimony of Thomas W. Batman of the subscribing witnesses thereto that a complete record of said will and of the testimony of the said Thomas W. Batman.