Congress Twp 16th ? in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, I being old and feeble
but of sound mind do make my last will and testament in the name
and fear of the Lord, Amen. 1) I bequeath to my son Thomas Ferguson
five hundred dollars, 2) I bequeath to my daughter Mary Jeffrey's
two children; two hundred dollars each; 3d) I bequeath to my daughter
Martha Nelson's two children; two hundred dollars each; the balance
of my estate I bequeath to my son Thomas Ferguson; and to my daughter
Sarah A. Finley's children, and to my daughter Annabelle McCoy
and to my daughter Rebecca McElban (or Elban). Equally after my
wife's dower according to the laws of the State of Ohio. I solemnly
declare this to be my last will and testament.
Walter Ferguson
Attest
George Flack
Abraham Rittenhouse
I want my son Thomas Ferguson to be executor of this my last will and testament.
All of the paper work was filed Aug. 30, 1871. Walter probably died in 1871, The value of the estate was about 200 personal goods and 9000 in real estate.
In the final accounting bill in 1884. There were payments made to:
Jane Haskell daughter of Mary Jeffrey
John Jeffrey son of Mary Jeffrey
Jane Heursey (last name blurred, could be Hersey) daughter
of Martha Nelson
Robert T. Nelson son of Martha Nelson
Thomas Ferguson
All other heirs and Legatees of the ??? Walter Ferguson Dec'd made quit claim deeds for all their right title and inter ? to the real estate of which said Walter Ferguson died seized.
(Reference is made to several deeds. I will get these when I am next in Ohio).
In a folder in the Wayne County library on the Ferguson Family, they report that Mary Ferguson married William Jeffrey son of John and Mary Bishop Jeffrey. One source had him marrying Mary Ferguson in 1831. Mary is reported to be in the Jeffrey Cemetery in Congress Twp. In 1840 William married Sarah Burney and had at least eight children. They report that William died in Waverly Nebraska in 1875 or 1876. I don't believe that his children by Mary went with him.
William Findley m. Sarah Ann Ferguson 27
Oct. 1936
William Jeffrey m. Mary Ferguson 10
March 1831
Walter Ferguson m Jane McClure 26
Aug 1855
Thomas Ferguson m Rebecca Jane Patterson 2 Oct 1849
Obviously Walter was married at least twice. The first time was to Jane McGuire. The second, according to a biography of Thomas Ferguson, was Rebecca Paul. Jane McClure was either Walter's third wife or the wife of one of his sons.