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Copy of Will for ROGERS, JOSEPH
Stephentown, County of Rensselaer, New York
Volume Number 1B-268
Source: Transcribed from SAMPUBCO copy

Placed on GenWeb message board by Carolyn Rogers (buckrogers@home.com)



A Copy of the Last Will & Testament of Joseph Rogers, Deceased
Rensselaer, December 18th, 1800

In the name of God Amen. I, Joseph Rogers of Stephentown in the County of Rensselaer and State of New York, being through the goodness of God in Health of body and a disposition or disposing mind, and many thanks be to God, therefore Do Make and Ordain This My Last Will & Testament, that is to say first of all, I give and remand my Soul to God that gave it and my body commend to the earth after my Death, to be buried in a Christian-like decent burial at the discretion of my beloved son, Joseph, nothing doubting that at the General Resurrection, I will be raised again. And so it hath pleased God to bless me with some things of worldly substance, I give & dispose of it in the following manner.

I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Anna Rogers, all the particular articles set forth in a particular writing or obligation signed to my beloved son Joseph by said beloved wife (viz) the east room of my now dwelling house to have the same for her own use. Also, a privilege in the kitchen and buttery chamber, garret or cellar what she may need for her own use. Also, a privilege in the orchard for apples to use in the house, and my Executor shall male Five Barrels of Cyder Yearly when the orchard shall bear fruit sufficient and deliver the same to my beloved wife, as long as she shall remain my widow for her own use; also two good Cows, one of them to be kept on the farm both winter and summer during her natural life without charge to her; the other at her own disposal. Also, a privilege to get her five wood pone hog to run in the pasture without charge to her and also a garden spot by the house to raise __(?) and one acre of planting land where it will best suit the owner for her to plow & plant. Also, in addition to the above prescribed articles, I give to my beloved wife, Anna Rogers, five good sheep, one good Hog to kill, three geese and six dung bill fowl to be her own property with the increase but not to keep more than three geese and five fowls over or through any winter nor more than five sheep, and also, one third part of the household goods and furniture that shall or have been added by her inventory together with all the household furniture that she did or hath brought to me and to be sure to have one bed and furniture if there should not be two more remaining, and also, one set of curtains which are of her own make, all which shall be at her own disposal. The above mentioned two cows, five sheep and hog to be taken out of the block before any division, at her own choice; also I give her the use of my best side saddle while she shall remain my widow and after that I give and bequeath the said saddle to my beloved Grand Daughter Electa Stillwell and if she should not survive or outlive my beloved wife, then the said side saddle to be given to Sarah Rogers Stilwell. (I would have it understood the above mentioned writing, signed to my beloved son Joseph sets forth that my beloved wife was to have one quarter, but it is my intention that she shall have one third of the mentioned articles.) Item. Also, I give and bequeath to my beloved son Joseph Rogers whom I now appoint my lawful Executor to this my last Will & Testament, all my home lot lying and being in Stephentown, not heretofore given away by Deed, with all the privileges of sustenance thereunto belonging (except above exceptions) and also I give unto my said son Joseph, my best Bible and all my wearing apparel, (except my best hat), with my best saddle & bridle, with all my farming utensils.
Item. I give & bequeath to my beloved daughters Thankful Benn, Joanna Brown, Mehetable Sweet and the children of my daughter Sarah Stilwell deceased, Margaret Greenfield and Martha Brown, all my household goods and furniture except what is before given away, to be equally divided into five parts, and one fifth part to be equally divided amongst the children of Sarah Stilwell. And also my will is that if need be to pay my debts that the lot of land in Stephentown called by the name of Dye Lott should be sold for that purpose and if not needed to pay my debts, then to be equally divided amongst all my children with the other Lott that I last purchased, that is to say Ministerial Lott, my son Joseph to have an equal part with his five sisters and the heirs of Sarah Stillwell as above named. And also my will is that funeral charges and just debts to be paid out of the money that is due or may become by notice otherwise and personal estate such as Chattels or moveable flock, and if anything should remain after my just debts and funeral charges shall be paid, my will is that it should be equally divided amongst my five daughters and the heirs of my daughter Sarah deceased, her children to have one equal share with one of my other daughters, this being all before mentioned.
Item. I give and bequeath my best Hat to my beloved Grandson James Rogers, also I give and bequeath to the heirs of my daughter Sarah Stilwell, deceased, as above mentioned, to each of them as they shall become of age after my decease, six pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence, which my said executor is directed to pay to them with the lawful interest after my decease out of money or stock that shall be left with him.
And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and cancel all and any other former testament, wills, legacies, bequests and executor by me or any before named will and bequeathed Authifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament.
IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixteenth day of March in the year of our Lord and Savior one thousand seven hundred ninety eight. And in the twenty second year of American Independence.

Signed, Sealed published and delivered by the above named Joseph Rogers his last will and testament in the presence of
(s) John Cook (signed) Joseph Rogers (L.S.)
(s) Archeclaus Lynes
(s) Jonathan Niles
Above copy of the original will 
(s) John Woodworth, Surrogate

Rensselaer County. Be it remembered that on the Seventeenth day of December in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred, personally appeared before me John Woodworth, Esquire, Surrogate of the said county, Jonathan Niles, who being sworn on his oath declared that he did see Joseph Rogers, late of the County of Rensselaer, deceased, sign and seal the annexed written instrument and heard him deliver it for the use therein mentioned. That, at the time thereof, he, the said Joseph Rogers, was of sound disposing mind and manner to the best of the knowledge and belief of him, the deponent, that his name subscribed thereto is of his own proper hand and name and that he together with John Cook and Archeclaus Lynes did subscribe their names hereto as witnesses in the presence of the Testator. And in the same day Joseph Rogers, Executor in the said Will named, personally appeared before me and was duly sworn to the faithful performance of said execution thereof by taking the usual oath as Executor. Dated this Eighteenth day of December, One Thousand Eight Hundred and the twenty fifth year of our Independence. 
(s) John Woodworth, Surrogate
I purchased this will from Sampubco and transcribed it myself. He really lived in Berlin but he is buried and lived for some time in Stephentown. His wife was Sarah Grace Sweet, daughter of Amos Sweet and Elizabeth Straight of Rhode Island. 
"Joanna Wilson" joannaww@insightbb.com 




The Last Will and Testament of Augustus Jerome deceased with the probate thereof Recorded September 15, 1817. 



For the name of God Amen. I, Augustus Jerome of the town of Berlin, in the County of Rensselaer and State of New York being weak in body but of sound & perfect mind and memory, blessed be the Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following, (that is to say) after paying all my just and lawful debts, I give & bequeath to my son, **Viscount Alonson Jerome, the sum of five dollars. I also give and bequeath to my daughters, Waty Jones (wife to James Jones) Elizabeth Jones (wife to Daniel Jones) Hannah Hull, (wife to Justus P. Hull) Caty Jerome, (single woman), and to my son Hilton R. Jerome and also to my daughter Polly Jerome, (single woman) and to my grand daughter, Hannah Foster (single woman) all my goods, chattels, lands and tenements both real and personal, situate lying and being in the Town of Berlin, County of Rensselaer, State of New York equally to be divided between them, to hold to them the said Waty Jones (wife to James Jones), Elizabeth Jones, (wife to Daniel Jones), Hannah Hull (wife to Justus P. Hull), Caty Jerome, Hilton R. Jerome, Polly Jerome and Hannah Foster, their heirs and assigns forever And I do hereby appoint Samuel Vary, Esq. of the Town of Berlin and Daniel Jones, aforesaid of the Town of Hoosac Executors of this my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In Witness whereof I hereto set by hand and seal the 7th Day of July, in the year of our Lord 1817. 



Signed Sealed, Published and declared by the above named Augustus Jerome to be his Last Will and Testament in the presents of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses in the presents of the Testator. 



Signed Augustus Jerome, L.S. 



Witnesses: 



Samuel Vary, Samuel Burdick & JW Thomas


Below is the will of Justus Leonard. It was sent by Sam Leonard




Letters testamentary granted in the Will of Hosea Moffit (dead) Recorded 15th Sept 1825


The people of the State of New York by the grace of God free & independent. To all whom it may concern (lend gravity?). Know ye that at the City of Troy in the County of Rensselaer on the fifteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred twenty five before Thomas Clowes Esquire Surrogate of our said county the Last Will & testament of Hosea Moffit late of the town of Stephentown in the County of Rensselaer & State of New York deceased (a copy whereof is hereunto annexed) was proved and is now approved & allowed by us & the said deceased having whilst he lived & at the time of his death goods, chattels or credits within this state (by means whereof the proving & registering the said Will & the granting administration of all singular the said goods, chattels & credits & also the auditing allowing & final discharging the amount thereof doth belong to us ) the administration of all singular the goods, chattels & credits of the said deceased & any way concerning said Will is granted unto Elajah Graves, Jay Moffit & Ralph Moffit Executor in the said Will named the being first duly sworn (well) & faithfully to administer the same & to make & exhibit a true & perfect inventory of all & singular the said goods, chattels, & credits & also to render a just & true accounting thereof when thereunto required.
In testimony whereof we have caused the seal of office of our said surrogate to be hereunto affixed. Witness Thomas Clowes Esquire Surrogate of the said county at the City of troy the fifteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred twenty five.
Thomas Clowes Surrogate
( signature)

Will & Probate of Hosea Moffit deceased
Recorded 15th September 1825
In the name of God Amen. I Hosea Moffit of the town of Stephentown in the County of Rensselaer & state of New York being weak in body, but of strong & perfect mind & memory do recite & publish this my last Will & Testament in manner & forms following (that is to say) I surrender my soul to God who gave it & my body to the earth to be intered with a decent Christian burial & is concerning the worldly estate which it has pleased God to bless me with. I give & bequeath the same as follows to my dear & well beloved wife in lieu of her dower the two best rooms in the house I now occupy having her choice one half of the household furniture. One good cow to be kept free from her expense, sufficient fire wood furnished at the door of the house & cut to acceptable length for the fire & seventy-five dollars for every & each year during her natural life. I give & bequeath to Nancy King, the wife of Eber Moffit (my son) & to her children by the said Eber Moffit the lot of land on which the said Eber Moffit now lives & lately owned by Elisher Stinant / except two acres of said lot sold by me to Christopher Clifford/ to the children their heirs and assignees. To my son Claudius Moffit I give and bequeath two hundred dollars which sum of two hundred dollars is to be deducted out of notes or obligations I now hold against him. To Guy Moffit , Jay Moffit & Ralph Moffit I give & bequeath all those two farms , the one of which I now occupy & the other of which is occupied by the said Guy Moffit & Benjamin F Bull. To them the said Guy, Jay & Ralph equally in quantity and quality also I give to the said Guy Jay & Ralph to share equally all my farming & carpenters tools on the two farms hereby given to Guy Moffit Jay Moffit & Ralph Moffit I charge the bequest to my dear wife first named (orig. the keeping of a cow, firewood, & seventy-five dollars annually during her life to them their heirs & assignees forever. To Chloe Moffit the wife of Rueben Andress I give & bequeath three hundred dollars to be paid to her by my Executors two years after my demise. To Benjamin F Bull & to Myra Moffit his wife I give & bequeath the farm in the town of Napour, Rensselaer County formerly owned by Samuel B Wheeler & which I purchased at Griniffsdale them thur heirs & assignees on condition that he the said Benjamin F Bull pay to my executors the sum of four hundred & fifty dollars in equal payments of One two & three years after my demise that is to say one hundred fifty dollars each year for three years. To Jay Moffit & Ralph Moffit I give & bequeath all my ???? cattle, sheep, horses, & hogs & the remaining half of my household furniture. All the remainder of my personal property after paying my just debts & funeral charges I give & bequeath to my dear & beloved wife. And I do hereby constitute & appoint Elijah Graves, Jay Moffit & Ralph Moffit as executors to this my last Will & Testament. Hereby revoking all former wills made by me. In witness where of I have hereto set my hand & seal this thirty first day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred & twenty-five Hosea Moffit (LP)

Signed, sealed & published & declared by the above named Hosea Moffit to be his last Will & Testament in the presence of us who have herewith subscribe our names as witnesses in the presence of the testator. Amos Pardee
Caleb Chapman
Calvin P Sackette

State of New York Renesselaer (Be it remembered that on the fifteenth day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred & twenty-five personally affirmed before me Thomas Clowes Esquire Surrogate of the said County of Renesselaer Amos Pardee, Caleb Chapman & Calvin P Sackette the subscribing witnesses of the Will of Hosea Moffit late of the town of Stephentown in said county deceased who being duly sworn declared that they did see the said Hosea seal & execute the annexed written instrument purporting to be the last last will and testament of the said Hosea bearing the date this thirty first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty- five & heard him publish & declare the executors & for his last will & testament that at the time thereof he the said Hosea was of sound disposing mind & reasoning to the best of the knowledge & belief of the said Amos Caleb & Calvin & that they the said Amos, Caleb & Calvin severally subscribed their hand & names to the said will as witnesses thereto in the presence of the testator & each other.
Thomas Clowes Surrogate

Sent by 
Keith Moffitt
Will of Stephen Arnold - son of Joseph Arnold & Hannah Douglas 


A copy of the last will and testament of Stephen Arnold, deceased, with proof thereof Recorded April 4, 1810.

In the name of God amen, I Stephen Arnold often of Stephentown in the County of Rensselaer and in the State of New York, being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say) first I bequeath unto my beloved wife Martha Arnold, the right and use of all my personal estate after my funeral charges and just debts are paid during her natural life or during her remaining my widow at her decease or after her widowshood shall or may close I give and bequeath all my said personal estate in the following manner to be divided into four equal parts, one part I bequeath to my daughter Honor Carpenter the wife of Samuel Carpenter, one part I give and bequeath to my daughter Martha Douglas, the wife of Benajah Douglas, one part I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Gardner, the wife of Robert Gardner, and the other part I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Martha Arnold the daughter of Beriah Arnold, Deceased. Further I give and devise to my beloved wife Martha Arnold the right use and improvement of all my real estate during her natural life or during her remaining my widow and at her decease or after her widowhood shall or ? cease I give and devise all my said real estate to be divided into four equal parts, one part I give and devise to my said daughter, Honor Carpenter, wife of said Samuel Carpenter, one part I give and devise to my said daughter Martha Douglas, wife of said Benajah Douglas, one part I give and devise to my said daughter Mary Gardner, wife of said Robert Gardner and one part I give and devise to granddaughter Martha Arnold, daughter of Beriah Arnold, decased. To hold to them the same Honor Carpenter, Martha Douglas, Mary Gardner and Martha Arnold their heirs and assigns forever. Lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said beloved granddaughter, Martha Arnold as executrix and my Grandson Arnold (?) Executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the eight day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ten.

Signed Stephen X Arnold (seal)
His mark

A copy – signed by Asa Douglas

Signed sealed published and declared
By the above Stephen Arnold to be his last
Will and testament in the presence of us who
Have hereunto subscribed our names as
Witnesses in the presence of the Testator.

William Douglas, Jr.
Needham Northrup
Needham Northrup, Jr.

Letter Testamentary Granted on the will of George Arnold, deceased.
Recorded June 6th, 1829

The People of the State of New York by the grace of God Free and Independent L.L. To all whom these presents shall come or may concern ? Greeting, Know Ye. That at the City of Troy in the County of Rensselaer, on the fifth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine before Philip Viele, Esquire. Surrogate of our said county, the last Will and Testament of George Arnolds late of the town of Stephentown in the County of Rensselaer and State of New York deceased, ( a copy where of is hereunto annexed, was proved and is now approved and sealed by us; and the said deceased having whilst he lived and at time of his death, goods chattels and Credits and also the auditing allowing and final discharging the account thereof doth belong to us, the administration of all and singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the said deceased and any way concerning his will is granted unto Simon Arnold and Elijah Arnold the Executors in the said Will named there. Being first duly sworn will and faithfully to administer the same and to make and exhibit a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the said Goods, Chattels and Credits and also to render a first and true account thereof when thereunto required. In testimony whereof we have caused the seal of Office of our said Surrogate to Be hereunto affixed. Witness Philip Viele, Esquire, Surrogate of the said county at the said City of Troy, the fifth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine.
Philip Viele


In the name of God Amen, I George Arnold of the town of Stephentown in the County of Renesslaer and State of New York considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and
being of sound mind memory, blessed be Almighty God for the same. Do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following. That is to say First.
I give unto my eldest son, Gorton Arnold my message or tenement situated lying and being in the town of West Greenwich in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island
Together with one hundred dollars to have and to hold the same to him his heirs and assigns forever. I give unto my son, Benjamin Arnold, Five dollars. I give unto by son
Joseph H. Arnold, five dollars. I give unto my son, George Anson Arnold, five Dollars. I Give unto my sons, Simon Arnold and Elijah Arnold equally all the rest and remainder
of my real estate to them their heirs and assigns forever with all my personal estate except three beds the best and nine ? the best also some iron ware and the furniture in the North room and north bedrooms except the desk and a few ? to my daughter Minerva to be hereafter mentioned. I give to my daughter Telpha Taylor Fifty Dollars. I give to
my daughter Freelove Thomas fifty dollars. I give to my daughter Mary Whitman one hundred dollars. I give to my daughter Mighty Briggs one hundred dollars. I give my
daughter Alsey Fords twenty five dollars. I give to my daughter Elizabeth Reynolds twenty five dollars. To my daughter Minerva Reynolds three the best beds and bedding
furniture and the following named iron ware One pailful pot, two dish kittles, tea kittle and also one brass kittle the smallest and all the furniture in the north room and north bedroom except the desk and large chest and a privilege to live in the house during the time she is remaining single. I give to by grandson George A. Taylor, two hundred dollars. Lastly as to all the rest and residence and remainder of my personal estate, chattels of what name or nature soever I give to my sons Simon and Elijah Arnold who I hereby order to pay all ? given by this mill all by honest debts and funeral charges and the legacies to be paid in one year after my decease. And to hereby appoint my sons Simon and Elijah Arnold the Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set by hand and seal at
Stephentown, twelfth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six.

George Arnold, L.S. (signed by him)

Signed, Sealed Published and delivered by the above named George Arnold to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereby subscribed our names as
witnesses in the presence of Testator.

Eldred Bentley, John Moon, Elijah Graves.

Benjamin Green will abstract - 1797 
Jonathan Grunman will abstract - 1813

This is the will of George Pease Holcomb, son of George and Lucinda Holcomb 

This was found by Dawn Sherman among the George Holcomb papers, and is possibly the cover for the will of Levi Pease 
This isn't a will or obit, but I thought that it was interesting nonetheless. This was the measurements for George Holcomb's (the father)coffin. He died in 1856. 

The people of the State of New York by the Grace of God Free and 
Independent.
To Rhoda Seede,Hiriam Bateman,Armina Feilds,Elviria Coleman,Alonzo 
Bateman and Betsey Lester all of Nassau Rensselaer County, Laura 
Waterbury and Nancy Waterbury now or late of Rose, Ontario County and 
all of the State of New York and Harriet Lasher of Wisconsin Territory, 
the particular town not known, heirs at law and next of kin of Hart 
Bateman late of the town of Nassau in the county of Rensselaer deceased. 
Greetings
You and each of you are hereby cited and required personally to be and 
appear before our Surrogate in our county of Rensselaer at the 
Surrogates office in the City of Troy in said county on Monday the 10th 
day of April 1843 at ten o'clock in the fournoon of that day to attend 
to the probate of the last will and testament of the said Hart Bateman 
deceased which will then and there be offered for that purpose by Clark 
Bateman an exceutor named in said will who has applied to the said 
Surrogate for the proof of said will and which will relates to Real and 
Personal Estate.

WILL:
This last will and Testament of Hart Bateman of the town of Nassau in 
the county of Rensselaer and State of New York. I Hart Bateman 
considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind 
and memory (Blessed be God for this Amen) do make and publish this my 
last Will and Testament in manner and form following, which is to say 
First I give and bequeath unto my son Clark Bateman the one equal 
undivided half of all my Real Estate, to have and to hold the same to 
his self, his heirs and assigns forever. 

Secondly I give and bequeath to my daughter Rhoda, the wife of John 
Seede the remaining equal undivided half of all my Real Estate for and 
during her natural life and after her death I give and bequeath the same 
as follows. The one fourth part there of to my son Clark Bateman, his 
heirs assigns forever, one other fourth part thereof to the children of 
Stephen Van Rensselaer Bateman share and share alike, to them their 
hiers and assigns forever, hereby intending that the same shall be so 
divded after the death of my daughter Rhoda as to rest the title to the 
one sixth part of the said one quarter to each of the children which 
shall then be living and if any of them shall die without issue then 
there share or shares of such shall be equally divided amonsgst such of 
said children as sahll then be living and the child or children of such 
(if any) as shall die lieaving issue and of any of the said children of 
my said son Stephen Van Renssealer Bateman shall die previous to the 
death of my said daughter Rhoda leaving a child or children living then 
I will that such child or children take the same portion of share as his 
or hers or their father or mother would have been entitled to had the 
said father or mother been at the death of my said daughter Rhoda, and 
to hold the same to themselves their hiers and assignts forever. 
Notwithstanding the above divide to my daughter Rhoda is made subjuect 
to the following conditions that if her present husband John Seede shall 
be living at the time of my death then it is my will that the same be 
used and occupied by my son Clark Bateman intending for my said daughter 
Rhoda for and during the life of the said John Seeds hereby binding the 
said Clark Bateman to account to my said daughter Rhoda and to her only, 
for the accural profits thereof during the life of the daid John Seeds 
hereby explicitly declaring that the said John Seeds shall in no manner 
whatever participate in, recieve or injoy any part there of. The one 
other fouth part there of th Harriet, the wife of Frederick Lasher, his 
heirs and assigns forever and the remaining fouthe part to Laure and 
Nancy the children of my son Guy Bateman their heirs and assigns 
forever. 
thirdly I give and bequest to my daughter Rhoda all the rest residule 
and remainder of my estate both Real and personal in manner following, 
that is to say It is my will that my ececutors herein after named shall 
collect and recieve the interest annulally on all such sums of money as 
shall be due or owing onto me at the time of my death and to pay over 
the same to my said daughter Rhoda when recieved and to her only so long 
as her said husband John Seeds shall live,if the said John Seeds shall 
be living at the time of my death. But if not, then I will that my said 
executors shall pay both interest and principal of such money to my daid 
daughter Rhoda immidiately or as soon as practical after the death of 
the said John Seeds and I further direct that my executors herein after 
named shall hold the rest residule and remainder of my personal estate 
about bequeathed to my said daughter Rhoda in trust for her and her only 
until the death of her said husband John Seeds if he shall be living at 
the time of my death and to account to her and her only for the use 
thereof annyally during the life of the said John Seeds and at his death 
to deliver up the same to my said daughter Rhoda or her heirs, executors 
or Administrator in as good condition as the same shall be recieved by 
them but if the said John Seeds shall not be living at the time of my 
death then it is my will that my said daughter Rhoda go into immidiate 
possission there of as her own rightful property. And lastly I hereby 
nominate and appoint my son Clark Bateman and my friend Aaron V. 
Waterbury executors of this my last will and Testament hereby revoking 
all former wills by me made. 
Signed by her mark and witnessed by Adam Casey, Rensselaer David, Wm H 
Waterbury. Written May 15 1828



Thank you Lisa McKern for this transcription.

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[[Category:Wills]]