Handwritten wills from the Montgomery Co

Handwritten records from the Montgomery Co. Courthouse, Mount Ida, Arkansas transcribed
S.M. Smith - 1886 J.C. Goodner - 1871 Robert McConnell - 1865 H.S. Goodner -1899 Singleton minors -1899 Columbus Sion Boone - 1905 Louisa Thornton - 1900
Last Will and Testament of Samuel Mitchell Smith of Montgomery County, Arkansas
	Know all men by these presents, that I, Samuel M. Smith of Mount Ida, in the County of Montgomery, and State of Arkansas, being of good health and of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make and publish this, my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former willsby me, at anytime hencefore made. First, I hereby constitute and appoint G. D. Goodner to be the executor of this, my last will and testament. Duly bring him , my said executor, to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses, and the legacies given out of my estate. Second, after the payment of my said debts and funeral expenses, I give to each of the following names of my children and heirs, Samuel Lee Smith, Susanna Hannah Smith, Granville Whittington Smith, Alford Fulton Smith, Margaret Aldmeda Smith and Granville Whittington Laird, the sum of seventy-five dollars, to be paid to each of them, or to their lawful guardian, as soon after my decease as convently may be done. Third, all the rest and residue of my estate, both real and personal of which I shall die seized and passed, or to which I shall be entitled at the time of my decease, I give, devise and bequeath, to be equally divided to and among all my children and heirs. Share and share alike, to wit. John G. Smith, Josiah M. Smith, Williamson L. Smith, Thomas O. Smith, Samuel L. Smith, Susan K. Smith, Granville W. Smith, Alford F. Smith, Margaret A. Smith and Granville W. Laird. And for the purposes aforesaid in my will, that all the real estate of which I shall die seized and possessed, be sold at public sale to the highest bidder, and the proceeds of said sale divided as aforesaid. In testimony whereof I hereinto set my hand and seal , and publish and declare this to be my last will and testament in the presence of the witnesses recorded below, this 11th day of June, A.D. 1886 S. M. Smith (seal) Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Samuel M. Smith, as, and for his last will and testament in presence of us, who in his presence, and in the presence of each other, and at his request have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto on this, the 11th day of June, A.D. 1886. Eli Smith R. C. Roberts C. J. Mathius
Last Will and Testament of John Cunningham Goodner State of Arkansas County of Montgomery
	LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF J.C.GOODNER STATE OF ARKANSAS, COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY In the name of God Amen: I, John C. Goodner of the County of Montgomery and State of Arkansas, being of sound mind and memory, and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life, do therefore make, ordain and declare this to be my last will and testament. That is to say, First, after all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, the residue of my estate, both real and personal, I will, bequeath, and dispose of as follows: I will and bequeath unto John G. Smith, Josiah M. Smith and Williamson L. Smith, heirs of my daughter Malvina Smith, the sum of twenty-five dollars each, which will be paid to them or their guardian as soon as the money can be realized from the effects left at my decease. I will and bequeath to my beloved wife, Sarah Ann Goodner, , all of my estate not already disposed of, whether real or personal, of which I shall die seized or possessed, during her natural life or widowhood, and at her death to be equally divided between my three children by her, to wit: George M. Goodner, Thomas J. Goodner and Nancy Ann E. Goodner. Or if she shall marry during her lifetime then to be divided equally, that is to say, share and share alike between herself and my three children George M. Goodner, Thomas J. Goodner and Nancy Ann E. Goodner. I hereby nominate and appoint Guilford D. Goodner, executor of this, my last will and testament, revoking all former wills by me made. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribe my name and affixed my seal, this 27th day of August, A.D. 1871. John C. Goodner (seal) The above written testament was subscribed in our presence by the said John C. Goodner, and acknowledged by him to us. And he at the same time, published and declared the above instrument so subscribed to be his last will and testament. And we at the testators request, and in his presence and in the presence of each other have signed our names as witnesses hereto, on this 27th day of August A.D. 1871. William Stewart (seal) Thomas Chapman (seal) STATE OF ARKANSAS, COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY On this 4th day of October A.D. 1871, personally appeared before me, B.L. Cotton, County Clerk for the County of Montgomery, Thomas N. Chapman who after being duly sworn, deposed and says: On the 27th day of August A.D. 1871, I was requested by John C. Goodner to witness his signature to his last will and testament. That the instrument hereto annexed proposing to be the last will and testament of the said John C. Goodner, is the same which the said John C. Goodner signed in my presence. That the said John C. Goodner was at the time of signing his name thereto, of sound mind and capable of disposing of his estate, and at the request of said testator, subscribe my name to said last will and testament in his presence and in the presence of William Stewart. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th day of October A.D. 1871 B.L. Cotton, County Clerk By J.M. Stone D.C.
Last Will and Testament of Robert McConnell of of Montgomery, Arkansas
	In The Name of God Amen I, Robert McConnell of the County of Montgomery, in the State of Arkansas, being of sound mind and memory, and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life, do therefore make, ordain, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament. That is to say, after all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, the rest and residue of my estate, both real and personal, I give, bequeath and dispose of as follows to wit. I will that if my beloved wife, Sintha McConnell be living at the time of my death, that she shall have a plenty to live on during her natural life out of my estate. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Nancy Royal and the heirs of her boddy, the sum of fifty dollars. I give and bequeath to my daughter Sintha Barber, and the heirs of her boddy, the sum of fifty dollars. I give and bequeath to my son, James McConnell and the heirs of his boddy, the sum of fifty dollars. I give and bequeath to my son, Miller McConnell and the heirs of his boddy, the sum of fifty dollars. I give and bequeath to my son, Robert Wilson McConnell and the heirs of his boddy, the sum of fifty dollars. I give and bequeath to my son, David McConnell and the heirs of his boddy, the sum of fifty dollars. I give and bequeth to my daughter, Emily Stacy and the heirs of her boddy, the sum of fifty dollars. I give and bequeath and devise, all the rest and remainder of my estate, both real and personal to my son-in-law, James Gaston., who married my daughter, Lucinda and to the heirs of her boddy. I make, constitute and appoint my said son-in-law, James Gaston, to be executor of this, my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal, the 20th day of December, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty five. Attest Mary Ann Willoughby (her mark x), Robert McConnell (his mark x and seal) William J. Willoughby, signed the testators name to this will at his request, and in his presence, and in the presence of the other witness, both of having been called on by said testator to witness his last will, and at the same time, said testator published, and declared this to be his last will and testament. William J. Willoughby, one of the witnesses to said testament. The above transcribed by Doris Pringle.
Estate of H S Goodner, deceased
	Probate Book B No. 453 Estate of H S Goodner, deceased G.D. Goodner Jr Administrator Now comes Sarah A Birch, Susanna Jackson, Elizabeth Pullen, John C. Goodner and Louisa Garrett heirs at law of H S Goodner, late of Montgomery County, deceased and State that they are interested in the affairs of the Estate of said decedant, they therefore asked to be made parties to the Administration proceedings in the Court here and fray an appeal from the order of said Court made at its April term 1899 as to the following proceeding to wit: 1st The Judgment of the Court in and about the pretended nuncupative will of the following deceased. 2nd. The disposition of the one half interest in a stock of goods belonging to the said deceased at date of his death and the investing of S.S. Goodner with the same. 3rd. For all other matters in connection with the said administration adjudged and passed upon by said Court in derogation of the rights of the said heirs. And said petition being accompanied by the proper affidavit and the applicants having filed a good and sufficient appeal bond, which is approved by the Court, it is ordered and appealed allowed. And the Clerk of this Court is ordered to certify the proceedings herein to the Montgomery Circuit Court. Probate Book B No. 452 ....L.N. Burnett presented and filed this bond in the said sun of Three hundred Dollars which was approved in open Court and ordered that Letters of Guardianship issue to said W J Blackburn. Estate of John Matthew died Kansas Hickey Administratrix Probate Book B No. 460 Minors heirs of Frances E. Singleton I.F. Fryar, Guardian It is ordered by the Court that I P Fryar be and he is hereby appointed Guardian of Elbert Singleton, Radie Singleton and Joe Ellen Singleton minor heirs of Frances E Singleton, deceased, and that this bond be fixed at One Hundred Dollars. Came then the said IP Fryar and files his bond as such Guardian in the sum of One Hundred Dollars, which is approved by the Court and ordered that letters of Guardianship be issued to said I F Fryar as appointed R.H. Buttram.
March 17, 1905 LAST WILL & TESTAMENT of COLUMBUS SION BOONE
	I, C. S. Boone of Cedar Glades township in Montgomery and State of Arkansas being of sound mind and in full possession of my reasoning powers, do hereby make publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament hereby revoking any and all by me heretofore made. 1st: I direct my executors hereinafter named to pay my funeral expenses and all my just debts and liabilities as soon as conviently be done after my decease. 2nd: I give and bequest to my wife M. E. Boone all property of which I am possesed at my death both real and personal after my debts and liabilities are paid to hold and use without restriction until her death and to be divided equally at her death with or among our children of their heirs, excepting my granddaughter, Maggie L. Fugua who is not to receive any part or share in my estate. 3rd: I give and bequeath in case my wife, M. E. Boone death occurs before my own, said property in the 2nd clause mentioned to our children of their heirs to be divided equally among them except my said grand daughter, Maggie L. Fugua wh is not to have any share or part in my property. 4th: I hereby nominate consitute and appoint my said wife my executrix until her death in case she is living at the time of my death and in case her death occurs before my own and at her death should she outlive me, I nominate and consitute and appoint my three eldest sons, then living my executors to execute and carry out this my last Will and Testament. And I wish these executors to serve without being compelled to make bond. In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this the 17th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and five. C. S. Boone (his seal) Signed , sealed, published and declared by the said Testator, C. S. Boone as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses: B. A. Ault of Cedar Glades, Arkansas W. C. Bailey of Jessieville, Arkansas F. M. Orrell of Cedar Glades, Arkansas
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF LOUISA THORNTON
	I, Louisa Thornton, being of sound mind and in full possession of my reasoning faculties, do hereby make, publish and declare this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking all and any Wills heretofore made. FIRST: I direct my executors, hereinafter named, to pay my funeral expenses and all my just debts and liabilities as soon as can conveniently be done after my decease; SECOND: I give and bequeath to my late daughter, Annie L. Ray's heirs, ($5.00) five dollars in money; THIRD: I give and bequeath to Alexander B. Thornton's heirs ($5.00) five dollars in money. FOURTH: I give and bequeath to Nancy C. Martin's heirs ($100.00) one hundred dollars; FIFTH: I give and bequeath to my son, John D. Thornton's heirs, ($100.00) one hundred dollars provided she gives to my estate a deed to lands deed to me by her mother which if she dont do makes this clause void; SIXTH: I give and bequeath to my sons, P. T. Thornton, I. W. Thornton, and F. L. Thornton, and the heirs of A. N. Thornton, J. D. Thornton, and Nancy C. Martin, all the residue or balance o my property of which I am possessed, either personal or real, at my death, to be equally divided between them, provided J. D. Thornton's heir makes the deed above mentioned in fifth clause, but in case she refuses to make said deed, she is to be left out of this clause, and all the rest to be sharers equally, the interest she claims in said land to be all of my estate she is to receive provided she refuses to make the deed mentioned before or after my death. EIGHT: I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my sons, F. L. Thornton and P. T. Thornton executors without bond of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affix my seal this the 17th day of December, 1900. Louisa Thornton. (seal). Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Testator, Louisa Thornton, as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us, who, at her request and in her presence and in the presence of each other, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. J. W. Rodgers of Cedar Glades, Ark. P. D. Hawkins of Cedar Glades, Ark. *note there is not a seventh clause to the above will, the original will jumps from 6 to 8. Someone miscounted. This is transcribed from the original will.
PROOF OF WILL THE STATE OF ARKANSAS COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY
	Personally appeared before me, J. S. Nelson, Clerk of the County and Probate Courts of Montgomery County, aforesaid, P. D. Hawkins and J. W. Rodgers, to me well known, who being duly sworn, say: That they are the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament for Louisa Thornton, late of Montgomery county, deceased; that said instrument was executed at the time, place and by the person therein named; that said Louisa Thornton, the testatrix, was, at the time of signing said instrument upwards of twenty-one years of age and of sound and disposing mind and memory and that in the presence of both of these affiants she declared it to be her Last Will and Testament and subscribed her name thereto in the presence of both of these affiants, that at the request of said Testatrix affiants who wrote their names to her said Will in her presence and in presence of each other; that the subscriptions to the foregoing instrument of writing are genuine and that said instrument which is hereto attached is the identical one that affiants so witnessed and saw the said Louisa Thornton sign. Attest: J. S. Nelson P. D Hawkins (his signature) J. W. Rogers (his mark) Subscribed and sworn to before me this 19th day of October, 1903 J. S. Nelson, Clerk Filed this 19th day of October, 1903. J. S. Nelson, Clerk.
CERTIFICATE STATE OF ARKANSAS COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY
	I, George Watkins, Clerk of the Probate Court within and for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify the foregoing two pages of typewritten matter to be a true copy of the Last Will and Testament of Louisa Thornton as the same appears of record in the Will Records of said County in Record Book A, at pages 155 and 156. In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name as such clerk and affixed the seal of said Court at my office in Mount Ida, Arkansas, on this 4th day of March, 1926 George Watkins (his signature) Probate Clerk The Boone and Thornton wills transcribed by Debra Garner.

"Wherever there's a will, you'll see an heir loom"