of Clinton County Iowa
Know all men by these present that I John Dowling Senior of Waterford Township Clinton County State of Iowa being of feeble health and good and sound mind and memory and full age do make and publish this my last Will and Testament and as to my worldly estate and all the property real and personal or mixed of which I shall die seized and possessed or to which I shall be entitled at the time of my death, I devise bequeath and dispose thereof in manner following to wit:
First After all legal and lawful debts against me or my property have been paid I will and bequeath to each and every one of my children living separate that is :
1 Fenton, 2 Mary, 3 Thomas, 4 Margareth, 5 Bridget and 6 John or their legal heirs five dollars to each and every one of them.
Second All the balance of my property that is both personal and real my wife Elizabeth is to have the sole control of the same and shall be hers during her life time and what is left of it after she dies my son John is to have.
Third I hereby appoint Patrick Lawler of Clinton Co. Iowa the executor of any property of as ?????.
In witness where of I have hereunto set my seal and subscribed my same at Waterford Township Clinton County State of Iowa this 17th day of December A. D. 1877
John (X) Dowling SEAL
At the request of John Dowling}
The testator of this we the undersigned sign}
Our names as witnesses to this his will}
Witnesses: Henry Nurre?
Hermann A(or S)nennacher
(Sorry this part is so light I cant read it well)
Done before and in presence of Henry Surr Justice of the Peace the day and year last above written.