"Petition of Leander R. Baldwin in the matter of the Estate of Daniel Baldwin deceased, for Letters (?) Testamentary (?) To the Hon John G. Champlin (?) judge of the County Court of La Salle County.
The Petition of the undersigned Leander R. Baldwin respectfully represents that Daniel Baldwin late of Farm Ridge deceased, died at Farm Ridge in said County of La Salle Illinois on or about the 7th day of October AD 1860, leaving property and effects in this County, and leaving his last will and Testament and codicil (?). That said deceased left property of the value of about Four Thousand Dollars.
signed: L.R. Baldwin
28th day of March, 1861
Daniel's will:
Beginning is totally obscured.
"In the name of God amen I Daniel Baldwin being in the enjoyment of health and a sound mind Living in Farm Ridge La Salle County State of Illinois do make this disposition of my property as follows: (?) all my debts to be paid by my executer then it is my will that my son Leander R. Baldwin have all my real estate and pay a legacy to two of his sisters (?) to Diantha Kirpatrick one hundred dollars (?) $100 . to Amelia Mariette two hundred dollars, one year after my decease 200 (?) I (?) constitute and appoint Leander R. Baldwin to execute this my last will and testament.
Signed: Daniel Baldwin
June 12th 18 ??
in the presence of Elmer Baldwin
Adeline O. (?) Baldwin
That said deceased left surviving Marquis F. Baldwin, Norman B. Baldwin, Leander R. Baldwin, Matty Higby, and Lorretta Hallock, Jane B. Howland ("Jane" is written over something else so is obscured) Dianthea E. Kirpatrick (?), Amelia M. Baldwin his own children, and William Jenks (?) a son of a deceased daughter. Your petitioner being executer of said will of said deceased, therefore prays that Letters (?) Testamentary ofito(?) the said last will and testament may be granted to him.
Be it known that I Daniel Baldwin being of sound mind and memory and in this codicil to my Will and Testament made and signed on this 12th day of June 1855 (?) do wit
I will and bequeath to my beloved son Leander R. Baldwin my shot gun, grind stone, steel trap and one feather bed and bed stead on the condition that he pay to my grand son Will(?) Jenks Five Dollars in money
I do Will and bequeath to my beloved daughter Amelia Baldwin all the remainder of my personal property of which I may (?.) including a promisory note against my son Leander B. for about three hundred and Seventy Dollars
Signed the 14th of August 1860 ( he died the following October) in the presence of Elmer Baldwin and Adeline O. (?) Baldwin.