Will of George Wilson Potts

Record of last Will and Testament of GEORGE WILSON POTTS late of the Town of Livingston in County of Columbia deceased as a will of both Real and Personal property and of the proofs and examinations relevant thereto.

Recorded October 4 1843

In the Name of God amen I GEORGE WILSON POTTS OF THE TOWN OF LIVINGSTON in the County of Columbia being weak of body but sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding do hereby make this as my last will and testament thereby revoking all other or former wills by me hereto made.

In the first place I direct all my just debts and funeral expenses to be paid out of my personal estate by my Executrix herein after named

Secondly where as my two sons John and Lewis whom I had by my first wife will be provided for by their grandfather ELLJAH VAN HOESEN as he has informed me and whereas I have four children MARlA, ROBERT, HERMAN, George and ELIZABETH, by my last and present wife ELIZABETH now I do hereby give and divese my homestead farm which is held by virtue of several life leases together with the several wood lots attached to the same to my present wife and my four children last named, she to have the sole control and management of the same so long as she remains my widow and she to educate, support and maintain my said four last named children which I had by her and I do authorize my said wife as executrix of this my will should she deem it for the best advantage of herself and my surviving children, to sell and dispose of my said leasehold farm and premises, together with the wood lots or such parts as she may deem proper, and the money arising from such sale either again laid out in the purchase of real estate ,or to be reinvested in Bond and Mortgage upon good landed security.

Such real estate if purchased shall belong to my four children MARIA, ROBERT, HERMAN, and ELIZABETH, subject to the life estate of my wife to one third thereof, and the money if invested in bond and mortgage shall belong to my said four children last named one third of the interest yearly to be paid to my said wife during her widowhood.

And in regard to my personal property which I shall at my decease, I give and devise the same in like manner to my said four children last named above except what I shall specifically devise to my other children, subject however to be used and enjoyed by my wife during her widowhood so long as she continues to keep my said farm But if sale of said farm shall be made, then I direct that such portion of the teams and stock and farming utensils as they my wife and children residing with her may have shall be sold and the money to be in like manner invested in Bond and Mortgage unless said teams and stock and farming utensils may be needed by said wife and family and I do hereby authorize and empower my said wife as executrix of this my will to act as she shall deem for the best interest of my estate.

Now in regard to my son WILLLAM LEWIS as I am informed by his grandfather Mr VAN HOESEN he will not receive the same or an equal amount of his estate with my son JOHN

I therefore do hereby give and devise to my said son WILLIAM LEWIS POTTS my young sorrel mare called the russet mare which I value at one hundred and twenty five dollars. I also give him one milk cow one hog five sheep also one set of double harness, which I now have which I now direct my wife to furnish and deliver to my son WILLIAM LEWIS POTTS upon my decease, unless I shall furnish in my life time the property above mentioned or the value there of.

And in regard to my son JOHN as I deem the provision made for him by his grandfather VAN HOESEN to be ample and sufficient but to show my love and affection for my son JOHN I do hereby give him the sum of twenty five dollars to be paid him by my wife at my decease unless I pay the same to my son in my lifetime.

Now it is my wish that whenever a sale shall be made of my farm should the same be made by my executrix that the moneys arising from the said sale be divided among my wife and four children My wife to take the value of her life estate out first and the balance to be placed at interest for the benefit of my said children until they severally alive of full age when the same be paid to them But if an opportunity should occur to invest the same in real estate that would be more beneficial for my said children then my said executrix is authorized so to do as I have above stated.