Sophia {Ross} Pottgen was my 4th great-grandmother. Her husband, Francis Pottgen had died in 1853 and she didn’t remarry. She lived in Alton, Illinois – across the river from St. Louis, Missouri.
This is her will. I have transcribed it below the images.
She divided up her estate between her three living children – Louisa Thornton {my 3rd great-grandmother}, Kate Harris, and Joseph Pottgen.
Know all men by these presents That I Sophia Pottgen of the City of Alton County of Madison and State of Illinois being weak in body but of sound mind and memory do make ordain and establish this to be my last will and testament hereby revoking all others and I do hereby appoint James Thornton of the City of Alton County Madison and State of Illinois to be the Executor of this my last will and testament.
First It is my will that all my Just debts be paid.
Second. After the payment of all my Just debts and funeral expenses I ordain and desire that my real estate being Lot Seven Block twenty in Pope and others Addition be sold at public or private sale as my executor may desire best.
Third. I give and bequeath to my daughters Louisa Thornton and Kate Harris and to my son Joseph Pottgen One Third of my personal estate money etc. to each. That is to say One Third of my personal property money etc. to Louisa Thornton One Third of my personal property money etc to Kate Harris and one Third of my personal property money etc to Joseph Pottgen. In testimony whereof I have hererunto set my hand and affixed my seal this Twenty seventh day of October in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy four.
Sophia Pottgen [Seal]
Signed and acknowledged before us the date above mentioned
John w. Coppinger
Phil Thornton
Barney Reilly
