Benjamin Hanks

Last Will & Testament of Benjamin Hanks

I, Benjamin Hanks, of the County of Lake, in the State of Ohio, do make and publish this, my last will and testament in manner and form following, Amen.

1st, I give devise and bequeath to my beloved wife, Martha Hanks, in lieu of her dower, the plantation on which we now reside, situated in the State of Ohio, in the County of Lake, and in the township of Madison, containing about one hundred and ten acres during her natural life, and all the livestock, horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, and by me now owned and kept thereon, also the household furniture, and other items not particularly described and otherwise deposed of in this will, during her natural life as aforesaid; she, however, first disposing of a sufficiency thereof to pay all my just debts as aforesaid, and that at the death of my said wife, all the property hereby devised and bequeathed to her as aforesaid, or so much thereof as may then remain unexpended, I bequeath to my children as follows to their heirs and ? forever.

1st, I Benjamin Hanks, of the State of Ohio, County of Lake, and township of Madison, do give and bequeath to Knowlton Hanks the sum of ten dollars. I give and devise to my son, Alvarus S. Hanks, the sum of ten dollars. I give devise and bequeath to my son, Ephraim K. Hanks, the sum of ten dollars.

The remaining portion left unexpended I give and bequeath to my five children, Orson Hanks, Elijah Hanks, Benjamin Hanks, Martha Hanks, and Otis Hanks, to be equally divided among them.

And lastly, I hereby constitute and approve Andrews Meriman, and D. P. Sherey to be the executors of this, my last will and testament, revoking and annulling all former wills made and ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.

On testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 29th day of November, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty two.

Benjamin Hanks

Executed in the presence of Cushing Cunningham & Amandus O. Winchester