Shared by Sharon Wick – January 2008
The following is from the Will of John Shook who is Matilda Shook McPheron's father.
Certified copy is in possession of Sharon Wick
John Shook Will
This the last will and testament of John Shook of the County
of Park and State of Indiana (viz) - I,
John Shook considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound
mind and memory, blessed by Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this
my last will and testament in the manner and form following (viz)
Unto my beloved wife Ruth, whom I hereby appoint my sole
exutrix I give and bequeath all my property both real and personal after all my
just debts are paid, for and during her life time, provided she so long remains
a widow, and at her decease, I will that all my property both real and personal
be equilly divided amongst my six children, one son and five daughters - Jane,
Martha, Matilda, Carline, Laura Ann and John, and should my wife Ruth after my
decease marry and become the wife of another man, then and in that case she
will cease to be my Exutrix, and also to be restricted to one third part of my
property real and personal; and the other two thirds, I will to be the property
real and personal; and the other two thirds, I will to be equilly divided
amongst my six children as above named, to be paid or given to them in a legal
manner, by her my said wife at or before her marriage; and should they or any
of them not be of lawful age at the time of her marriage (should such ever take
place) then and in that case their shares shall be paid or given to some person
in trust for them until they shall become of lawful age - Said Trustee shall be
appointed by the Probate Court, if any such Trustee shall be needed, upon the
recommendation of Aquilla Justus of the county and state aforesaid - hereby revokeing
all former will by me made.
John Shook
Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this
20th day of March A.D. 1841.
John Shook
(seal)
Signed, sealed, published, and declared by the above named
John Shook to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto
subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the testater.
Squire A. Gardner, Abraham W. Gillaspie,
Isaiah Swain, John Fairbank.
****************************************************
The following is a Guardianship for some of the children of
John & Ruth (Justus) Shook:
Certified copy is in possession of Sharon Wick
We, A. Justus, Morris Hughes and Aqulla Serentz are bound
unto the State of
If the above bound A. Justus will faithfully discharge his
duties as guardian of the person and property of John Shook, Caroline Shook and
Laura Shook, minor heirs of John Shook deceased, then the above obligation is
to be void, else to remain in force.
A. Justus (seal)
Morris Hughes (seal)
Aquila Sarentz (seal)
Approved by the Clerk in vacation and confirmed by the Court
in Fam? The 5th day of April 1853.
Geo. W. Thompson, Clerk of C. C. P. Of
Parke Co.
STATE OF
)ss.
I, A. Justus, swear that I will honestly and faithfully
discharge the duties of my trust as guardian of John Shook, Caroline Shook and
Laura Shook minor heirs of John Shook, deceased according to law so help me
God.
A. Justus
Subscribed ans sworn to before me, this 5th day of April
1853.
STATE OF
)ss.
I, Geo. W. Thompson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of
said county, certify that A. Justus, of said county, has been appointed guardian
of the person and property of John Shook, Caroline Shook and Laura Shook, minor
heirs of John Shook late of said county, deceased, and has qualified as such.
(Seal)
In Testimony Whereof,
I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court, the 4th day of April
1853
George W.
Thompson, Clerk.