WILL OF SARAH EBERHART

Know all men by these presents that I, Sarah Eberhart, of Castle Grove Township, Jones County, Iowa, being weak in body but of sound mind (Blessed be God for the same) do make and publish this my last will and testament; hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.

            And as to my worldly property real, personal or mixed of which I shall die seized and possessed or to which I shall be entitled at the time of my decease I devise and bequeath and dispose thereof in the manner following, to wit:

            First:  I will that all my just debts, if any, and funeral expenses be first paid by my executor hereinafter mentioned.

            Secondly, I will and devise that all the property of which I shall be lawfully entitled at the time of my death shall be divided as hereinafter specified.  Inasmuch as my two daughters Mrs. Caroline Lineberger and Mrs. Mahala Pool have already each received of my husband Paul Eberhart one hundred dollars; and the said Caroline Lineberger and Mahala Pool have also each received of my son R.I. Eberhart one hundred dollars; on this last amount they shall allow him six percent interest for three years from date as I also hold obligations against my son R.I. Eberhart for said money.  I therefore will that the two hundred and thirty-six dollars of which my two daughters Caroline Lineberger and Mahala Pool are already in possession be first deducted from the obligations I hold against my son R.I. Eberhart and that thereafter my other two daughters Mrs. Susannah Black and Mrs. Sarah Berlin shall each have two hundred and eighteen dollars in advance of the former.

            The remainder of my property in notes or money shall be equally divided between my four daughters Caroline Lineberger, Mahala Pool, Sarah Berlin and Susannah Black, except one hundred and fifty dollars which sum I will and bequeath to the Evangelical Lutheran congregation of Castle Grove, Jones County, Iowa, for the purpose of erecting a suitable house of worship; provided that said congregation shall within four years from the date of my death erect such a building.  This money shall be held in trust without interest by my son R.I. Eberhart until used by the said congregation for the purpose above specified.  If the said congregation shall fail to build such a House of worship within the time specified, then the said one hundred and fifty dollars shall be equally divided between my four daughters above named.  I also will and devise that the one thousand dollars which was willed and bequeathed by my husband Paul Eberhart to my four daughters Susannah Black, Sarah Berlin, Caroline Lineberger and Mahala Pool, for which I hold a note against my son R.I. Eberhart, shall not be by them collected only as herein specified.

            I also will and devise that the money I have herein bequeathed to my daughters shall be for their own special use and benefit and shall from them descend to their lawful heirs.  I further will and bequeath all my furniture, bedding and clothing to my two daughters Susannah Black and Sarah Berlin to be divided by themselves.

            I also will and devise that the note I hold against my son R.I. Eberhart shall not be collected until one year after my decease.

            Lastly, I appoint Presley Hanna to be the executor of this my last will and testament.  In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this 1st day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy three.

                                                                         Sarah Eberhart (her mark)

 Signed and delivered by the said Sarah Eberhart in the presence of us who at the request and in the presence of her have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto.

                        Jesse Helsell

                        Presley Hanna