After his birth, Joseph's parents moved to Hancock County, Tennessee. Joseph's will indicates that while not a wealthy man, he was never the less well off. At the time of his death, he had notes payable and assets totaling $8,698. plus 40 acres of land in BUchanan County, Missouri valued at $2,000.
Will of Joseph M. Proffit
In the name of God, Amen. I, Joseph Proffit, being of sound mind and disposing memory, hereby make and publish my last will and testament as follows:
Item First: It is my desire that all my just debts and expenses of funeral and last sickness and all just claims against my estate be paid out of my personal estate.
Item Second: To my daughter, Mattie Fouts, I giv and bequeath the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars.
Item Third: To my daughter, Lulu Vestal, I give and bequeath the sum of one hundred and fifty dollass, as her full share in my estate.
Item Fourth: To my granddaughter, Lula Thompson, the daughter of my deceased son, Fielding Proffit, I give and bequeath the sum of fifty dollars, as her share of my estate.
Item Fifth: To my granddaughter Maggie Horn, the daughter of my deceased son, Fielding Proffit, I give and bequeath the sum of fifty dollars.
Item Sixth: To my granddaughter, Ada Proffit, the daughter of my deceased son Fielding Proffit, I give and bequeath the sum of fifty dollars.
Item Seventh: To Mamie Bleazard, Gertie Bleazard and Harry Bleazard, children of my deceased daughter Maggie Bleazard, I give and bequeath the sum of fifty dallars each as their full share in my estate.
Item Eighth: To Louis Proffit, my son, I give and bequeath the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, and also forty acres of land, being all of the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section sixteen (16), twoship fifty-five (55) Range 34 in Buchanan County, Missouri Known as the Estes Place, and subject to the estate of the widow Estes.
Item Nine: To Oscar Proffit, my son, I give and bequeath the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars.
Item Ten: To Charity Brock, my daughter, I give and bequeath the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars.
Item Eleventh: To my daughter, Mary Adkins, I have already advanced one thousand dollars as a credit upon the purchase price of land which I sold to her ?? which said sum I now charge to her as her full share in my estate.
Item Twelfth: All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate if there be remaining at my death, after paying all my just debts and expenses and the legacies herein provided for & give and bequeath to my sons, Oscar Proffit, and Louis Proffit, and my daughters, Charity Brodk and Mattie Fouts, one fifth each, and to my granddaughters Maggie Thompson and Ada Proffit, the daughters of my deceased son, Fielding Proffit, I give an bequeath one-tenth each.
I hereby make, constitute and appoint Joseph Manville executor of this my last will and testament.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal at St. Joseph, Missouri this the seventeenth day of December, 1909.
Joseph Profit
X his mark
The above and foregoing instrument was, at the date thereof, signed by the said Joseph Profit by his mark and declared by him to be his last will and testament in the reuest, and in his presence and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
Wm. M. Beckett J. E. Webster Elizabeth Burnett
source: Marilyn Withrow
