This is the last will and testament of Phebe Pollock of the Town of Shirland, County of Winnebago and State of Illinois dated September 19, 1901. The family had a Double Wedding just a month later. She passed away not long after on January 5, 1902. Her young son Truman, who is named in the will, died a year after her in 1903, at age 16.
Of sound mind and of the age of 57 years, in view of the uncertainty of life do by my Last will and testament make the following diposition of my property and estate among my 7 children.
First, I desire the payment of all my just debts. Second, I give and devise the use of the Homestead of about 37 acres to my Son Wilber* Pollock for the period of 4 years at a rental of $100 per year to be paid or allowed to my estate out of which sum he is to pay the taxes against the estate as Wilber has rented the homestead and because I desire him to go on as agreed between us and next spring to sell my share of the stock of all kinds and pay my debts as far as the proceeds of the sale will go and to use the milk checks or money to help defray the expenses of my son Truman while at School after my Son becomes of age. The farm is to be sold and proceeds of sale equally divided among my children.
I give my executor power to sell and convey real estate but I am anxious for Wilber to purchase the farm and hope this might be satisfactory to the rest of the children. I do not desire my household goods to be sold but to be divided among my children.
If my daughter Cora desires to purchase the Piano for $100, I wish my executor to let her have it. If not then any of the other children should have it at the same price. If any does not purchase then it can be sold and proceeds divided among them.
I give to my son Truman the Bookcase and books, Rosewood bedstead, bedding sheets and pillow cases and cook stove.
My Daughter May is to have pine colored bedstead, Parlor carpet, cupboard with glass doors and organ.
Wilber is to have black walnut bedstead and fur overcoat.
Cora is to have the single beadstead and bedding.
My son Samuel is to have his father’s gun.
My children to have my best featherbed to be made into Pillows as follows: Samuel to have 2 pillow, Wilber 2 pillows, Alice 1 pillow, May 2 pillows, Cora 2 pillows and Truman 2 pilows. Clara to have some of the dishes and one of Hattie’s Pictures and the cushion which Cora gave me for a birthday present. I desire things in the old part of the house to remain as they now are until Cora comes home and then they can be divided to suit themselves.
My Grand daughter little May Polock is to have salad bowl. My grandson William Wilmot is to have the deers head. If there is things among the household goods the children want they should have them.
If the children are dissatisfied because Wilber is appointed sole executor of the Will they or a majority can select some good man to assist him subject to the division of the household goods above mentioned and the gifts to my grandchildren who I leave my blessing. My daughter Cora is to have the last Rug which I braided.
I nominate and appoint my Son Wilber executor of this my last Will hereby revoking all former Will or Wills by me made. Witness my hand and seal at Shirland Ills, this 19 day of September 1901. Signed Phebe A Pollock.
The above instrument (my will) consisting of three half sheets of paper was at the date thereof signed sealed published and declared by the said Phebe A. Polock as and for her last will and testament in presence of us who at her request and in her presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto: C. Bentley(?) residence Rockton Ill and W. J. Nye residence Shirland, Ill
*Editor’s note: I believe that whomever transcribed the will into the county record misspelled his name throughout. His name is spelled Wilbur on the wedding invitation a month later and in other references.
Curating in Sepia Tones 
Really interesting how all her goods were named and divided-up.
When I found the will and showed it to my grandmother, she laughed and said “I always wondered where that deer’s head came from.” I don’t think her dad or brothers were hunters! I don’t know why Alice only received one pillow, maybe its an error in the transcription or she was allergic! :-)
That’s a good story.