Vincent Bodine Last Will & Testament

In the name of God, Amen.  I Vincent Bodine of Elizabeth Port in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, being of Sound Mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament.

I give and bequeath to my wife Sarah the use of all my property and real and personal so long as she remains my widow, but subject to the bequests and charges herein after named; and if she shall marry again, in place thereof I give and bequeath to her the interest of two thousand dollars during her natural life.

It is my wish that all my children may obtain a good English education and that the expenses of the same shall be a charge upon my estate; but if to accomplish this after they are twelve years of age, it shall be necessary to send them away from home, I direct that the extra expense incurred shall be paid out of their respective shares.

On the death, or marriage, of my wife I give and bequeath to my sons Willard Henry and Jacob one half of my estate real and personal to be equally divided between them, and to my daughters Mary Elizabeth, Maria Jane, and Caroline the other half to be equally divided between them.

When my son Willard Henry shall arrive at the age of twenty one years, I direct that he shall receive, on account of his interest in the estate, the sum of one thousand dollars, at the same time my daughters Mary Elizabeth and Maria Jane one thousand dollars each on account of their respective interests.  Likewise my daughter Caroline and my son Jacob shall each receive the sum of One thousand dollars as they come of age.

And if either of my children should die, without leaving issue, before coming to the age of twenty one, then his or her share shall be equally divided between my surviving children.

If my executors shall think it advisable to sell any of my property, I hereby authorise them to sell the same, and to invest the proceeds in bond and mortgage on real estate.

I do nominate and appoint my beloved wife Sarah and John H. Rolston to be the executors of this my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal and publish and decree this to be my last will and testament in presence of the witnesses named below, this the twenty third day of February one thousand eight hundred and fifty four.

Signed, sealed, declared and published by the said Vincent Bodine, as and for his last will and testament, in presence of us who at his request, and in his presence, and I presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto.

Vincent Bodine

Saml L Moore           Eliz Port NJ
John Kidd                    “            “
John Armstrong            “            “