IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN! I, Robert Hills, of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me at any time made.

1st--It is my desire that after my decease my funeral expenses and all my just debts be paid out of my personal property that I may have at the time of my death.

2nd--I hereby give and bequeath to my daughter, Orpha Jane Shahan, a certain roan colt with blaze face, about three years old.

3rd--I hereby give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary E. Hills, the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) in cash and one good bed and bedding and one cow and calf.

4th--It is my wish and desire that Henry Harrison Bixby, whom I have raised, shall receive out of my estate the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) to be paid to him when he becomes twenty-one years old as a compensation for his services rendered me and for the purpose of the payment of said one hundred dollars to said Henry Harrison Bixby, my Executrix hereinafter appointed is authorized and empowered to sell all my real estate and convey same by deed as completely as I might do were I alive and acting for myself in the sale and conveyance of said real estate, provided that there is not enough of personal property left after paying my funeral expenses and debts, and the legacies to my two daughters, to pay said Bixby said one hundred dollars, and support and wife and family and provide further that said real estate shall not be sold by my Executrix until after my daughter, Mary E. Hills, shall become of age.

5th--I will bequeath to my beloved wife Elizabeth Hills all the residue of my estate, both real and personal, to have and to hold to my said wife during her natural life or widowhood and in the event that my said wife should marry after my death I will and bequeath all of my estate then left after paying the debts and legacies herein mentioned and bequeath to all my children, share and share alike and in the event that any of my said children should be dead before the taking effect of this will, and should leave a child or children living at the time of my death, then each child or children to have the share that the parent of such child or children would have taken were they living.

6th--I have heretofore given my son James M. Hills and my daughters Mahulda Lindsey, Hannah Patterson, Nancy A. Hagans and Sarah J. Shahan each an amount equal to the legacies herein bequeathed to my daughters Mary E. Hills and Orpha Jane Shahan and have that fact in mind at the making and publishing of this will.

7th--I hereby appoint my wife Elizabeth Hills the Executrix of this my last Will and Testament, and she is hereby charged and earnestly requested to carry out and execute this my last Will and Testament.

In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 8th day of September, A. D., 1869.

(signed) Robert Hills

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Signed by the said Robert Hills as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request in his sight and presence and in the sight of each other have subscribed our names as attesting witnesses.

(signed)
John D. Stephens
Amos A. Hull


(note: "proof of will" was recorded July 6, 1871--usually this date occurred not long after the testator's death)


Source: Will Records, Vol. 1-2, 1867-1899, Adair County, Missouri

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