LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF THOMAS COATS, 1909

In the Name of the Benevolent Father of All. I, Thomas Coats of sound and disposing mind and memory, realizing the uncertainty of life, and desiring to make a disposition of my Earthly possessions according to my best judgment and belief, do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament.

Item One, (1). It is my will that after my death, all my just debts and be paid; first, including my funeral expenses, and doctor bill, and nurse hire if any.

Item Two, (2). It is my will that after my death my beloved wife Rachel Coats have the absolute use on my property in which we live, Viz-Lot No 851 in the Village of Rockford, Ohio, and that she have the use of the personal property in the said Dwelling via the furniture and other personal property of that nature, to use during her natural life, or so long as she shall remain my widow, or occupies the premises as her residence, and either death or on account of her getting married, or if she vacates the premises as her residence, then all of said property named in this Item both real and personal shall go to my children hereinafter named, or their heirs.

Item Three, (3) It is My will that Hellen Coats the adopted daughter of U. S. Grant Coats shall have after my death the sum of Five ($5.00) Dollars, the same to be paid by my executor herein after named.

Item Four. (4) I do hereby name, nominate and appoint William B. Frysinger as my duly nominated and appointed Executor of this my last Will and Testament authorizing and empowering him to each and every thing required of him or enjoined on him as such Executor, and I authorize and order my said Executor to sell my Real estate of which I may die seized after my death except the property I have given to my beloved wife during her natural life or while she remains my widow, and that after her death or remarriage he shall also sell that property we now occupy as our home, and the proceeds of my Estate both real and Personal, my said Executor shall out of the same pay all my just debts, and the residue of the same he shall pay to my children or their heirs as herein after mentioned.

Item Five, (5). It is my Will that My Executor pay to my Daughter Mary Cully an equal one fifth, 1/5 part of the proceeds of the sale of my property both real and personal.

Item Six, (6) It is my Will that My Executor pay to my Daughter Lillie May Ray an equal one Fifth, 1/5, part of the proceeds of the sale of my property both real and Personal.

Item Seven, (7), It is my Will that my Executor pay to my son Thomas M. Coats an equal one Fifth, 1/5, part of the proceeds of the sale of my property both real and personal.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 22nd day of December, A. D. 1909.

Thomas Coats.

Signed and acknowledged by said Thomas Coats, as his last Will and Testament in our presence; and signed by us in his presence.
E. E. Jackson
J. M. Wiley


Whereas, I, Thomas Coats on the 22nd day of December, A. D. 1909 made my last Will and Testament of that day, do hereby declare the following to be a codicile to the same.

I do hereby revoke and declare null and void, Item 3 of my last will and testament, and I do further revoke and make null and void item 4 of my last will and testament from the word, in the first line to the word as in the second line so that Item 4 will read, I do hereby nominate and appoint Branson McCristy as my duly nominated and appointed Executor of this my last Will and testament, etc.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 3rd day of April A. D. 1914.

Thomas Coats.



[Note: Thomas Coats died May 26, 1914 and left the following heirs:

Rachel Coats, widow, Rockford, Ohio
Helen Coats, adopted granddaughter, Rockford, Ohio.
Mary Cully daughter, Willshire, Ohio.
Lillie May Ray, daughter, Frezce, Minn.
Thomas M. Coats, son, Dayton, Ohio.
U. S. Grant Coats, son, Rockford, Ohio.

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