(Joseph Thatcher, b. 16 Mar 1793, in Conway, Franklin Co, MA; d. 8 Apr 1862;  married Anna Lefever, b. 1 Jan 1797 probably in Frederick Co, MD; d. 16 Dec 1863 in Hopewell; both buried Sand Hill Cemetery, Seneca)

Vol M

pg 634

RECORD OF JOSEPH THATCHERS WILL

I, Joseph Thatcher of Hopewell in the county of Ontario and State of New York being in the 68^th year of my age and of sound mind and memory, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following:

First: After paying my funeral shares and lawful debts (of any there should be) I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Anna, Two thousand dollars, also my horse, buggy, wagon and harness, books, all my household furniture of my description together with the use and entire control of those part of my dwelling house now occupied by myself and wife during her life if she chooses to occupy the house and the same remain the property of either my sons or daughters and I enjoin it upon the seven remaining children to pay five dollars per annum each to each heir and occupant as rent or compensations for the privilege of allowing their mother to remain an occupant of the house, releasing the from such payment however should she cease to occupy the house and make her residence elsewhere.

Second: I give and bequeath to my sons Ebenezer Thatcher and Jesse Thatcher and to my grandson John Emory Wood the son of my deceased daughter Elizabeth Jane and her husband John Wood each the sum of five hundred dollars.

Third I direct my executors … after the named to sell at public or private sale, as may best serve the interests of my heirs, the thirteen acres of timbered land I own in the town of Seneca and should my son Jesse feel himself unable or disinclined to pay for my home farm in Hopewell, upon which I know reside containing about 161 acres of land at the rate of $60/acre.  I direct my executors to sell the same at public auction or at private sale should they get an offer of $60 or over per acre before the day of such auction. At the same time, I wish it expressly understood that I give and devise my said farm to my son Jesse on condition that he pay to my executors all that would be due from him after deducting his own legacy together with what would be due and owing to him upon a division of what will remain after paying said legacies.

Third, I direct my executors after paying the legacies herein before mentioned amounting in the whole to 3500 dollars to divide and pay over share and share alike to each of my children now living: Ebenezer Thatcher, Jesse Thatcher, Rebecca, the wife of Nicholas Shoemaker; Julia Ann, wife of Isaac Van Nostian Jr, Margaret, wife of John Dodge, Sarah wife of Levi M Lewis, Susan wife of Cornelius C Brizee and Emaline the wife of W D Atchley, all that remains of the avails of the same of my estate, real and personal and after the decease of my wife, it is my wish that  all the household furniture she may leave be equally divided between her surviving daughters.

Fourth and last, I hereby appoint constitute and appoint my sons Ebenezer and Jesse executors of this my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof I the said Joseph Thatcher have to this my last will and testament contained on one sheet of paper subscribed and affix my seal this 7^th day of Sep 1859.

                        Joseph Thatcher (seal)

Witnesses: George H Hollet of Seneca

I W Runyan of Seneca