In matters pertaining to the last Will & Testament of John Pancake, dec'd.

Pike County Probate Court, Wednesday Feby 15, 1871

Be it remembered that on this day the last will and testament of John Pancake late of the County of Pike and State of Ohio dec'd was produced in open Court and the handwriting of the signatures of Hallam Hempstead James Collings and O.J. Phelps the attesting witnesses to said will but now dec'd having here been proven by the oaths and testimony of James Jones and George Corwine and it appearing to the Court that said John Pancake dec'd, at the time of executing said Will was of full age of sound mind and memory and was not under any restraint at the time of executing the same it is ordered that said will be admitted to Probate and together with the testimony of James Jones and George Corwine be recorded.

E.R. Allen, P.J.

"I John Pancake of the County of Pike and State of Ohio do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following , that is to say --

First, -- It is my will that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be fully paid.

Second. -- I give devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Jane Pancake in lieu of her dower all my estate real and personal and mixed of whatsoever kind and nature the same may be (she however first disposing of a sufficiency thereof to pay my just debts aforesaid.) to have and to hold the same to the said Jane Pancake her heirs and assigns forever.

And lastly I hereby constitute and appoint my wife Jane Pancake to be the Executrix for this my last will and testament revoking and annulling all former wills by me made and certifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof I have hereby set my hand and seal this the third day of March A.D. 1853.

John Pancake (seal)

Signed published and disclosed by the above named John Pancake as and for his last will and testament in presence of us who at his request have signed as witnesses to the same.

Hallam Hempstead

James Collings

A. J. Phelps

State of Ohio

Pike County

Personally appeared before one E.R. Allen Judge of the Probate Court within and for the County of Pike aforesaid James Jones and Geo. Corwine of the Co. of Pike and State of Ohio who being by me duly sworn according to law dipose and say that they have now and here seen & inspected the paper writing produced as and for the last will and Testament of John Pancake late of Pike Co. dec'd that the names of Hallam Hempstead, James Collings and O.J. Phelps Appear on said Will as attesting witnessess thereto and that the said Hallam Hempstead James Collings and O.J. Phelps Are now deceased, that the undersigned Affiants were personally well acquainted with the said attesting witnesses and well acquainted and familiar with the hand writing of the said Hallam Hempstead and O.J.Phelps. that the signature of the Said Hallam Hempstead and O.J.Phelps As they appeared the attending witnesses to said will & Testament of John Pancake dec'd are in the hand writing of each respectively and present as and are genuine as we verily believe.

George Corwine

James Jones

subscribed in my presence and sworn to before me

E.R. Allen, Probate Judge

Transcribed 14 May 1999 by David L. Boucher

dlb613@charter.net