Return to Main page.
These lines are my maternal lines. I will gradually include documents such as wills, probates, inventories, deeds etc. I appreciate an information anyone can add to these lines. If you have connections to these lines please contact me
Please put in your subject line the family name you are referring to so I do not overlook it by mistake! Thank you!
Stephen Gates
In the name of God Amen, I , Stephen Gates of Lafayette County, Mo. of sound mind....
First I desire that all my debts be paid
Second I desire my funeral be conducted in a manner suitable to my position in life and that a monument be placed to mark the final resting place of my remains, the cost of which shall be paid by my executrix hereafter named and taxed as other cost of administration.
Third to my daughter Norma Gates I give the sum of $1000.00 in order to make my said daughters share equal to what I have heretofore given others.
Fourth all money in my possession or in the bank at the time of my death and all notes and other debts due me, I desire divided into two equal parts, one half to be divided between my first wife's children, to-wit, Amy Bessinger, Dora Riner, wife of JT. Riner, Saphronia Sams, wife of Oscar Sams, Sophia Thompson wife of George Thompson, and Emerine Sparks wife of Marion Sparks, equally and the other half to be divided equally between my wife Elizabeth Gates, and my children by her to-wit, Frank Gates, Jack Gates, Norma Gates and Stanley Gates.
Fifth all the farm implements and livestock which I may own at the time of my death I give and bequeath one half to my beloved wife Elizabeth Gates and the other half to my children, Frank Gates, Jack Gates, & Stanley Gates, equally. My wife and my last three children above named shall have the right to sell and dispose of any part or portion of said implements and live stock for the purpose of making the division as aforesaid.
Sixth to my daughter Amy Bessinger I give and devise the north half of Lot 2 Block 16 Town of Napoleon, Lafayette, Mo. upon which is situated a hotel, to have and to hold unto the said Amy Bessinger and to her sole and separate use free from the control, curtesy and all marital rights of her present or future husband.
Seventh to my daughter Dora Riner I give and devise all the part of Lot 1 Block 2 Town of Napoleon, Lafayette Co., Mo. upon which is situated a livery barn which I now own, to have and to hold unto the said Dora Riner for her sole and separate use, free from the control, curtesy and all marital rights of her present or future husband.
Eight to my daughter Saphronia Sams, I give and devise the east 8 feet of the south 50 feet of lot 1 and all that part of Lot 2 which I now own all in Block 2, Town Napoleon, Lafayette, Mo. upon which is situated the drug store to have and to hold unto the said Saphronia Sams to her sole and separate use free from the control curtesy and all marital rights of her present or future husband.
Ninth to my daughter Sophia Thompson I give and devise the south half of Lot 4 and all that part of the south half of Lot 3 which I may own all in Block 2 town of Napoleon, Lafayette, Mo. to her sole and separate use, free from the control, curtesy and all marital rights of her present or future husband.
Tenth to my daughter Emerine Sparks I give and devise all that portion of the north half of Lots 3 and 4 Block 2 Town of Napoleon, Lafayette, Mo. described as follows commencing at a point 60 feet south of the northeast corner of said Lot 4 thence south to the south east corner of the north half of said Lot 4 thence west thence north 60 feet thence east to the beginning being all of the north halves of Lots 3 & 4 except the portion deeded to J.T. Riner by deed of record in Book ? Page 457 and to Doctor Ramsey to have and to hold unto the said Emerine Sparks to her sole and separate use free from the control curtesy and all marital rights of her present or future husband.
Eleventh to my daughter Norma Gates I give and devise the west half of Block 7 ?? Napoleon and being all of said Block 7 which I may own to her sole and separate use, free from the control, curtesy and all marital rights of her present or future husband.
Twelfth to my sons Frank Gates and Jack Gates I give and devise my undivided one ?? interest in Lot 1, Suburban Addition to Town of Napoleon, the other half interest ?? by John Strodtman. I also give unto the said Frank Gates and Jack Gates all Coal ??? the south west quarter of the north east quarter of section 19, Township 50 ?? Lafayette Co., Mo.
Thirteenth all the balance residue remainder of my property of every kind ?? I give and devise to my beloved wife Elizabeth Gates to have and to hold ?? during her natural life and at her death to vest in my children Frank Gates, Jack Gates, Stanley Gates equally share and share alike, and in the event that either of my sons Frank Gates, Jack Gates, or Stanley Gates should die before I do without children, ??? share shall vest tin the survivoror survivors of the the three.
Fourteenth I appoint my beloved wife Elizabeth Gates executrix of this my last ???? without bond.
In testimoney whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 1st day of December ???
Witnesses: Charles Lyons, Carl L. Ristine
State of Mo. County of Lafayette
Probate Court
...having examined the foregoing instrument, purporting to be the last will and testament of Stephen Gates, dec'd, and signed by S. Gates, and having heard the testimony of Charles Lyons and Carl L. Ristine, subscribing witnesses thereto in relation to the execution of the same, do declare and adjudge said instrument to be the last will and testament of the said Stephen Gates, deceased, late of Lafayette County, Mo. and the same is hereby admitted to Probate. ...this 12th day of April, 1917
Return to Main page.
© 1997-2005 by Kathy Hudson/Seminole, Ok.
All rights reserved. , commercial use of this information
is strictly prohibited without prior permission of the owner. If copied, I need to be asked for written permission
and this copyright notice must appear with the information.Any information
on this website may not be copied and used for any other website.