I Jesse Gum of Menard County and State of Illinois being of sound mind but weak in body do herby make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form as follows to wit,

First: It is my will that my funeral expenses and all of my just debts be fully paid.

Second: After the payment of funeral expenses & debts it is my will that all my personal property be sold at public sale on such time and terms as the law requires and my Executors shall think best, and that the proceeds of said sale together with all the money which may be left after the payments of debts also all my lands and real estate shall be divided among my children and heirs as follows to wit:

1st: To my beloved wife Lucy Gum I give and bequeath one share.
2nd. To the children and heirs at law of my son Thomas D. Gum deceased to wit Mary Updike, Robert Gum, John B. Gum Jr., George Gum, William Gum, Charles Gum & Thomas Francis Gum I give and bequeath one share.
3rd. To my daughter Elisabeth Davis I give and bequeath one share.
4th. To my daughter Gille Ann Atterberry I give and bequeath one share.
5th. To my son John B. Gum I give and bequeath one share.
6th. To my son Charles Gum I give and bequeath one share.
7th. To my son Jacob Gum I give and bequeath one share.
8th. To my son William Gum I give and bequeath one share.
9th. To my son Jesse Gum I give and bequeath one share.
10th. To my daughter Mary Dowell I give and bequeath one share.
11th. To my son James Gum I give & bequeath one share.
12th. To my daughter Eveline Melton I give and bequeath one share.
13th. To my daughter Lydia Gum I give & bequeath one share.
14th. To my son Benjamin F. Gum I give & bequeath one share.
15th. To my son Elijah Gum I give & bequeath one share.

Third: It is my will that my Real Estate shall be divided equally among the above named heirs according to quality and quantity in shares as above named. Each of my children now living receiving one share and the heirs at law and children of Thomas D. Gum receiving one share to be equally divided among them and also that my wife Lucy Gum receive one share or one part the same as one of my children it being my will that the heirs or a majority of them shall select then discreet persons to act as commissioners to go on to the lands and have them surveyed and divided as above stated and provided that if in the opinion of the majority of said heirs it is thought best to sell the lands & real estate or any portion of the same that they shall so instruct my Executors and have them sold and the proceeds divided as above set forth, and in selecting said commissioners & deciding whether they shall sell land & if not it is my will that they shall vote by shares. Each shall being entitled to one vote or voice. The adults voting for themselves & the minors by their Guardians or legal representatives.

And lastly I herby constitute and appoint Mr. William T. Beckman of Menard County Illinois Executor of this my last will and testament revoking and annulling all former wills by me made & ratified and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I the said Jesse Gum have hereunto set my hand & seal this 26th day of August AD 186
           His
Jesse     X     Gum (Seal)
           Mark

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Jesse Gum as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other and at his request have subscribed our names as witnesses thereunto This 26th day of August AD 1863

Elijah Watkins
Lydia Watkins
[illegible name]

Submitted by: Bertha Sigler Emmett