Be it known that we the undersigned, John R. Briggs and Richard Briggs were present at the residence of Elijah Beckelhymer in Brown County state of Illinois, on the tenth day of August A.D. 1868, the said Beckelhymer then and there being in his last sickness, that the said Beckelhymer then requested these present including the undersigned to raise him and let him set upon a chair, as he wished to make a disposition of his property that being very week he was simply raised to a sitting posture in the bed when he made the following declaration and statement to wit: "I wish my wife to have all my money, land and personal property during her life time, and at her death to be equally divided among all my children." We declare that we, the undersigned, as well as Daniel Beckelhymer were present and heard the above words spoken by the said Elijah Beckelhymer, at the time of pronouncing the same, we believe him to be of sound mind and memory. That at this time, be desired the undersigned and the said Daniel Beckelhymer to be a witness that such words above mentioned were his will and were uttered and published in his last sickness, and that the said Elijah Becklehymer departed this life on the 11 day of August A.D. 1868.
Given under our bonds this 17th day of August A.D.1868.

John R Briggs
Richard Briggs