AAFA Wills
WILL OF ELIJAH ALFORD

I, Elijah Alford of the Town of Windham, County of Portage and State of Ohio, do make, ordain, publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following, that is to say:

First, -- I direct the payment of my just debts, if any.

Second, -- I give, bequeath, and devise to my eldest son, Herbert J. if he survives me, if he shall not survive me, to his wife Anne Estell or heirs, upon the conditions herein after stated. My farm situate [sic] in the Town of Windham, County of Portage, State of Ohio, containing about <115> One Hundred and fifteen acres more or less together with the buildings and appurtenances, furniture, stock and implements situate [sic] thereon.

The conditions for the above bequest gift and devise, are: that the above mentioned Herbert J. shall pay to my son Arthur M., if he shall survive me and in case he shall not survive me to his wife or immediate children if there are such, the sum of <$400.00> Four Hundred Dollars; To my daughter S. Estella if she shall survive me and in case she shall not survive me to her immediate children if there are such, the sum of <$400.00> Four Hundred Dollars.

The above legacies to Arthur M. and S. Estella shall be paid within one year from the day of my death. The said Herbert J. does well and faithfully support and maintain (?) in a proper manner my wife Harriett C. such support and maintenance to be accepted by her in lieu of her dower.

The above mentioned Herbert J. shall assume and pay my just debts in a sum not to exceed <$550.00> Five Hundred and Fifty Dollars . If my just debts shall exceed such sum of <$550.00> Five Hundred and Fifty Dollars such excess shall be paid in equal proportions by my children Herbert J., Arthur M., and S. Estella or their heirs heretofore mentioned.

Third, -- In case the above mentioned Herbert J. shall fail to perform the above stated conditions, my estate whether real or personal shall descend to my children Herbert J., Arthur M., and S. Estella share and share alike, except that at all events my eldest Son Herbert J. shall be allowed a sufficient sum to reimburse him for all improvements which he shall have made upon the above mentioned farm and my wife Harriett C. shall have a life estate in <1/3> one third of my estate as her dower.

Fourth, -- All the rest and residue of my estate whether real or personal, shall descend to my above mentioned children or their heirs share and share alike.

Likewise, I make, constitute and appoint my eldest son Herbert J. and my wife Harriett C. to be my executors of this, my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal, the 2 day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight.

Elijah Alford Seal

We, whose names are hereto subscribed, do certify that Elijah Alford the testator, subscribed his name to this instrument in our presence, and in the presence of each of us, and at the same he declared in our presence and hearing that the same was his last Will and Testament, and requested us, and each of us, to sign out names thereto as witnesses to the execution thereof, and which we hereby do in the presence of the testator and of each other, the day of the date of the said Will, and have written opposite our names our respective places of residence.

J. W. Pike residing at Windham Portage Co., Ohio

W. H. Poss residing at Dayton Ohio