Wills

Compiled by Mrs. George Spangler, Historian of Peoria Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

Source: Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Published Quarterly by the Illinois
State Historical Society, Springfield, Illinois. Vol. 14 April-July, 1921 No. 1-2.

In the name of God Amen, I, Christian Orendorff of Tazewell County and State of Illinois, being weak in body, but of sound and perfect mind and memory do make and publish this, my last will and testament in the manner and form following (that is to say),

First. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Elizabeth Orendorff, my bay horse to her proper use and dispose, I do also give and bequeath to my two sons Joseph Orendorff and Benjamin Orendorff, the one-half of my hogs belonging to my home place. I further give and devise to my son Alfred Orendorff, his heirs and assigns the east half of the southwest quarter of section numbered nine in Tpw. twenty-one north of range 2 west in the district of the lands offered for sale at Springfield, Ill., containing eighty acres together with the mill thereon situated and the appertainces thereon to the said Alfred Orendorff his heirs and assigns forever provided that he shall provide for my said wife Elizabeth Orendorff, whatever may be necessary for her use and comfort over and above what is and shall be hereon after provided; I do also give and bequeath to my youngest son David Orendorff, two hundred dollars to be made out of a note which I hold of George A. Miles for one hundred and twenty dollars, one note which I hold against Elijah Atterbury for sixteen dollars, and a debt of ten dollars do by account against Isham Wright, all of Tazewell County, State of Illinois, the balance which may be wanting to make the said sum of two hundred dollars to be made out of my half of cattle and hogs, which said sum of two hundred dollars when made and collect as aforesaid shall be let to interest until my said son David, shall arrive at the age of twenty-one years, then to be paid to him together with the interest that shall have accrued thereon; I also give, and bequeath to my said son David, one black colt to be paid to him within three months after my decease. I do further give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Elizabeth Orendorff, all the residue of my cattle and hogs not herein otherwise appropriated to her proper use and disposal, also I give and bequeath to my said wife, Elizabeth Orendorff, all my household and kitchen furniture to her use during the term of her natural life, and at her death to descend to my and vest in my youngest daughter Nancy Orendorff, the balance that may arise from debts owing to me or property not herein named after the payment of my just debts to go to the use of my family—and I do hereby constitute and appoint my son, Joseph Orendorff, and George M. Miles, both of the county of Tazewell, and State of Illinois, to be executors 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 this 18th day of December, in the year of our Lord, Eighteen Hundred Twenty-nine.

Sign and seal,

Christian Orendorff.