Will Book C, Pages 497-498

Last Will and Testament of Susan M. Lents 

            I, Susan M. Lents, at this time a resident of the City of Loogootee, in Martin County, Indiana, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made:

             Item 1, I request that out of any moneys or personal property on hand at the time of my death all of my just debts and funeral expenses be paid. 

            Item 2, I bequeath to my daughter Katie L. Smith and my son Frank E. Lents, share and share alike all the residue of my personal property after the payment of my debts and funeral expense as provided in Item 1, hereof and the further payment of $25.00, to be paid to the pastor of St. John’s Church, in Loogootee, Indiana, for masses to be said for this testator. 

            Item 3, I nominate my said daughter, Katie L. Smith, as executrix of this will and request that she be not required to give bond for said trust nor take out letters testamentary therefor and that my said executrix have full power and authority to carry out all the provisions of this will including the collection of all policies of life insurance payable at my death or any other debts due me of all kinds whatsoever.

             In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28th day of December 1916.

                                                                        Susan M. (her x mark) Lents.

 Attest to signature.
Geo. W. Gates.
Henry Moon.

             The foregoing instrument, signed, sealed and acknowledged by said Susan M. Lents, as and for her last will and testament in our presence, who, at her request, in her presence and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto this 28th day of December, 1916.

                                                                        Geo. W. Gates.
                                                                        Henry Moon.

 
PROOF OF PROBATE OF WILL.
State of Indiana, Martin County, SS:

             Before me, Elmer Harding, Clerk of the Martin Circuit Court, personally came Geo. W. Gates, one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of Susan M. Lents, late of Martin County, Indiana, deceased, and being duly sworn on his oath says that he was present at the execution of said last will and testament of Susan M. Lents, that the same was duly executed, that at the time of the execution thereof, said testatrix was of full age to devise her property, of sound mind and memory and not under any coercion or restraint, that said testatrix requested this affiant and Henry Wood [sic], to sign said will as witnesses thereto, which they accordingly did in the presence of said testatrix and in the presence of each other as subscribing witnesses thereto.

                                                                        Geo. W. Gates. 

Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 7th day of April, 1924.

                                                                        Elmer Harding, Clerk.