Robert Ball's will

Transcribed by Allan Deitz:

Last Will and Testament of Robert Ball

I Robert Ball of the town of Berne in the County of Albany and State of New York, and being 75 years of age of sound and disposing mind and memory do make - publish and declare This my Will and Testament in the manner following.

First,

I give and bequeath to my wife Anna B. Ball all my personal estate and property whether same be in money, Bonds and Mortgages, notes and accounts or other evidence of debt of what nature or kind so-ever or what so-ever or where so-ever the same may be, to be held by her during terms of her natural life, to be used by her during her said life for her maintenance and support, any part of said personal estate or the whole thereof if she needs or requires the same.

Second,

I give and devise to my said wife Anna B. Ball my farm in Berne, Bounded on the North by Adam Deitz & John P. Sholtes lots, On the East by lands of Egbert I Wright and David Ball on the south by public highway and on the West and North West by lands formerly owned by Paul Shultz and lands of Elias A. Schafer, containing one hundred acres of land more or less and bring my old homestead where I now reside in the town of Berne Albany County N.Y. to have and hold the same during the term of her natural life-she is to use the rents issue and profits of said real estate- for her support or as much thereof as may be necessary. And if more than the rents issue and profits of said real estate- after the personal estate- has all been used in her maintenance and support Then and in That event my Executors hereafter named are ordered and directed to lease mortgage or sell any part of said real estate- hereinbefore mentioned or the whole thereof if it shall become necessary for the maintenance and support of my wife Anna B. Ball and apply the proceeds of said real estate to her maintenance and support.

Third,

After the death of my said wife Anna B. then I give and devise to my said sons and daughters Ambervelia Ball, Miner Ball, Seneca Ball, Henry A. Ball, Jerome Ball, Evan Gibbs (wife of A Gibbs), Emma Palmer ( wife of Cortland Palmer), Alice Barber (wife of Jay Barber), Charles E. Ball, William Ball and Willie Williamson (son of Mary Williamson, my deceased daughter) all any personal estate and property, and all the real estate I may die seized of and remain after the supporting and maintaining my said wife Anna B. Ball to have and hold the same equally share and share alike to themselves their heirs and assigns forever.

Lastly,

I hereby constitute and appoint my son Charles E. Ball and William Ball, Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made.

In witness where of I have herewith set my hand and seal this day of June in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and eighty-five.

Signed By Ro. Ball