In the Matter of the Estate of In Winnebago County County Court
Charles Stevens, deceased. In Probate.
Will
I, Charles Stevens of the City of Rockford County of Winnebago, State of Illinois being of sound mind and meme my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following:
First: I give, devise and bequeath to my wife Cynthia T. Stevens all my estate real and personal, that I may die possessed of, or entitle to, upon trust during her natural life. The same to be in lieu of her dower at common law provided she supports and maintains my daughter Harriet A. Stevens while she remain single.
Second: It is also my desire and will that at the death of my wife Cynthia T. Stevens all my real estate which may be in her possession at the time of her death, shall be sold as soon as convenient and converted into money, and the notes and stocks and all personal property be divided as follows:
Third: I desire that one quarter of all property be divided as follows: after the adjustment of said estate be paid to my daughter Cynthia Althera Hyde or her heirs and assigns forever.
Fourth: I desire that one quarter of all property remaining after the adjustment of said estate, be paid to my daughter Cora Nancy Rose or her heirs and assigns forever.
Fifth: I desire that one half of all property remaining after the adjustment of said estate, be paid to my daughter Harriet Adah Stevens or her heirs and assigns forever.
Sixth : I hereby appoint my said wife the Executrix of this my last will and testament. My Will is that my said wife shall not be required to give bonds or security to the judge of probate for the faithful execution of the duties of Executrix.
In Witness Whereof I have set my hand and seal this fifth day of May, A. D. Eighteen hundred and eighty one.
Charles Stevens (SEAL)
Codicil
Whereas, I, Charles Stevens of the City of Rockford, Illinois have made and duly executed my last will and testament, in writing, bearing date the fifth (5) day of May, 1881, now, I do hereby declare this present writing to be a codicil to my last will, and direct the same to be annexed to and taken as part thereof.
It is my will after my disease that My Wife Cynthia T. and daughter Hattie A. have full control of the income of all my real and personal estate for their maintenance and comfort and that they may seem wise to them to dispose of –
And at any time they may think wise to sell the real estate or any part thereof, they may do so with the consent and signature of my daughters Allie C. Hyde and Cora N. Rose and the proceeds of such sale may be placed where it will be held for the final division of the property, unless a portion of it be needed for the support and comfort of my wife Cynthia T. and Hattie A. my daughter, but so long as my wife and daughter Hattie A. shall live, I will there shall not be any division of the property or proceeds therefrom be made only as is needed for their support. When there shall be a separation by death of either my wife Cynthia T. or my daughter Hattie A. then I will there be a division of the remaining property both real and personal and I will that either of the surviving ones should be entitled to one half of all the property remaining at the time of said death.
Unless provided that my daughter Hattie A. should after my decease and before the final division of the property be made. Should take to herself a Husband. Then I will that there be an equal division of the property made at the final settlement between my three daughters or their heirs.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day of February 1887\
Charles Stevens (SEAL)
….
April 23rd., 1887Petition of Cynthia T. Stevens for Letters filed representing that Charles Stevens died on April 2nd., 1887 testate and seized of real and personal property. ……
Transcribed as written
