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From: Randi Richardson <>
Subject: [INMONROE] Benjamin Ridge
Date: Sun, 04 Mar 2001 08:01:20 -0500


DOCUMENT: Will of Benjamin Ridge

SOURCE: Monroe County Historical Society, P-2-22.

State of Indiana
Monroe County

I, Benjamin Ridge, a resident of said county and state, now of feeble body
but of sound mind and memory, do make and publish the following as and for
my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void any and all
other wills by me at any time heretofore made.

1st--I desire that after my decease my body be interred in a manner
corresponding with my estate and situation in life.

2nd--That as soon after my death as the situation of my estate will permit,
I desire that all my debts and funeral expenses, which shall include the
erection of a suitable monument or tombstone to my grave, shall be paid out
of my personal estate.

3rd--If my wife, Henrietta, shall survive me then I give and bequeath to
her for and during her natural life all of my personal estate as shall
remain after the payment of my debts and after expenses enumerated in the
paragraph hereof.

4th--After my said wife's decease, provided she shall survive me, and if
not, then after my decease, I give and bequeath to my children, hereinafter
named, the following sum of money to wit: Mary Jane Ridge, one thousand
dollars; Rebecca Ann Whisnand, wife of Jonathan Whisnand, thirty dollars;
Sarah Richards, wife of Asa B. Richard, thirty dollars; Elizabeth E.
Stanger, widow of Harvey Stanger, thirty dollars, and James E. Ridge,
thirty dollars.

5th--For the purpose of paying legacies aforesaid, I have in connection
with my wife, Henrietta, bargained and sold to my son, John S. Ridge, all
my lands which I am now possessed being (a) fractional quarter known as the
northwest quarter of Section 6, Township No. 9 north of Range 1 west,
containing about 131 acres, the premises upon which I live, upon the
condition following: in consideration of said premises the said John S.
Ridge executed to me his obligation for the payment of so much money and
other necessities as shall be sufficient to afford myself and wife a
comfortable subsistence so long as we shall both live and at the time of
the decease of us both, then if it shall be ascertained that the expenses
incurred by him for our support should exceed the sum of $192.00 per year,
in that case I devise that he shall have credit for such excess or be
allowed and paid such amount or excess in the final settlement of my
estate. In consequence of which agreement on his part for the support of
myself and wife as aforesaid, the said John S. Ridge is to have the use and
control of the said described premises with the exception of the dwelling
house and garden from this date until our decease and then the said John S.
Ridge, as agreed, shall pay over to my executors the sum of three thousand
and two hundred dollars in full consideration for the said premises then
the deed which I have this day executed to him in fee smple for said
premises shall be recorded for his benefit.

6th--That the settlement of my estate shall not be finally closed until the
amount of the proceeds of sale of my real estate shall be paid and the
remaining personal estate shall be disposed of and the last sickness and
funeral expenses of the last surviving one, my wife or myself, fully paid
including all funeral expenses and including the erection of (a) momument
or tombstone at the grave and the residue of the money arising from the
sale of my real as well as personal property, if any remaining after the
payment of the legacies mentioned in the fourth item of this will and also
all reasonable costs and expenses connected with the settlement of my
estate be paid.

7th--The money left from the two sources as shown in the 6th clause hereof,
I give and bequeath in equal amounts, i. e., share and share alike, to the
following named of my children: Rebecca Ann Whisnand, Sarah S. Richards,
Elizabeth E. Stanger, James E. Ridge, Levi Ridge, William Ridge and John S.
Ridge.

8th--I hereby nominate and appoint my son, James E. Ridge, and my
son-in-law, Jonathan O. Whisnand, executors of this my last will and
testament in testimoney where I have hereunto set my name and affixed my
seal this the 4th day of March, 1872.

Benjamin (his mark) Ridge

Witnessed by Thomas P. Whitson and William Whisnand

Will proven on April 1, 1878.



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