Ms. Sawyer:

I recently received a copy of this will from a distant cousin, Lynda K. McGinnis. It gives a lot of interesting details about the "Lyon Block" in Lowell (mentioned in the Morgan Lyon biography in the Baxter History) as well as the family of this early Kent County Pioneer. This will be of interest to anyone researching the Lyons and/or Ryders of Vergennes.

Enjoy!

J. William Lowry

Last Will and Testament of Morgan Lyon of Vergennes, Kent County, Michigan

I, Morgan Lyon of the Town of Vergennes, Kent County Michigan of the age of 82 years of sound mind and disposing memory and mindful of the uncertainty of life, do make publish and declare this my Last Will and Testament in manner following, hereby revoking all former Will by me made;

First: I direct the payment of all my just debts and funeral expenses.

Second: I give devise and bequeath to my son James A. Lyon my Two hundred and Seventy acre (270 a.) homestead farm on Sections 21 and 29 in Town of Vergennes and the use and income thereof for and during the term of his natural life and after his death to his children there surviving all of the issue of any deceased child.

Third: I give devise and bequeath to my (2nd) wife Louisa P(urple)Lyon the use income and rentals of that portion of my new brick block - on Lots Nine and Ten of Block Three of Richards and Wickhams Plat of the Village of Lowell - now occupied by Edgar Collar as a dry goods store - the store next East thereof now occupied as a grocery store and the storefront East now occupied as a Bank by C. J. Church and Sons, together with the rooms and offices upstairs above said three stores for and during the term of her natural life - and after the death of my said wife, I give devise and bequeath the use and income of the above portion of said block to my daughter Mary Adams for and during the term of his natural life and after her death I give devise and bequeath to the said above portions of said block and of said premises and lot whereon it stands to the children of said Mary Adams or the issue of any deceased child there surviving.
 

The above devise and bequeath to my said wife - together with an interest this day deeded to her in house and Lot on Block Six (6) of Richards and and Wickhams Plat of the Village of Lowell - is made in lieu of all dower in any and all real estate owned by me or in which I have an claim or interest and in lieu and satisfaction of any and all interest in or claim of any kind or description upon my estate either real or personal and in full settlement thereof.

Fourth: I give devise and bequeath to my said daughter Mary Adams and her husband Omar O. Adams the 160 acre farm on Section 19 Vergennes now occupied by them and the use and income thereof for and during the term of their natural lives and the life of the survivor of theirs I give devise and bequeath said farm to my said daughter Mary's children (daughter, Cora) or the issue of any deceased child their surviving.

Fifth: I give devise and bequeath to my daughter Emily - formerly Emily Aldrich - the use income and rentals of the West store in said new brick block now occupied by the Winegars Drug Store and the rooms and offices above together with the use income and rentals of my old brick block on the South side of Main or Bridge Streets in said Village of Lowell now occupied in part by L. F. Severy; for and during the term of her natural life time and after her death to her children their surviving and the issue of any deceased child.

Sixth: I give devise and bequeath to my grandson Frank Ryder the 80 acre farm in the Town of Vergennes known as the (Ben) Ryder farm (on the same road as my farm) for and during the term of his natural life and after his death to his heirs at law.

Seventh: I give and bequeath to my grand-daughter Mary (Ryder) Roulo, the sum of Five Hundred Dollars in money, to be paid from my estate in One Year after my death.

Eighth: I give and bequeath to my niece Mercy Newton, now Mercy Kimberly, the sum of Five Hundred Dollars in money, to be paid from my estate in One Year after my death.

Ninth: The new brick block on Lots Nine and Ten of Block Three of Richards and Wickhams Plat of the Village of Lowell and the 160 acre farm on Section Nineteen (19) Vergennes herein devised and disposed of, are now in the name and title of Calfernia Edmonds, but are subject to my right of control and disposition, and said Calfernia Edmonds has this day executed a release and conveyance thereof in accordance with the terms of this Will.

Tenth: The devise of the homestead farm heretofore made [indecipherable], is made expressly subject to the rights of Chris Wittenbach under the lease thereof made to him for the ensuing year.

Lastly: I hereby nominate and appoint said Chris Wittenbach and Charles A. Church of Lowell to be Executors of this my Last Will and Testament.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and deal this 24th day of March A.D. 1893.

Morgan Lyon (sd)

The foregoing will of five pages (two sheets) signed, sealed, published, and declared by said testator to be his last Will and Testament to us and in our presence, who at his request, in his presence, and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

Adelbert Odell (sd), Vergennes Mich

Orlando Odell (sd), Vergennes Mich

Myron N. Walker, Grand Rapids Mich

Codicil

I, Morgan Lyon of the Town of Vergennes, Kent County, Michigan, do make, publish and declare, this Codicil to my Last Will and Testament, heretofore made in manners following;

I hereby revoke the nomination and appointment of Chris Wittenbach to be one the Executors of said Will, and in his stead, I hereby nominate and appoint Leonard H. Hurt of the Village of Lowell to act as Executor, with said Charles A. Church therein named.

I direct that a sufficient sum of monies be expended by my Executors to purchase and erect a good, substantial and suitable monument to my memory.

I direct my Executors to get and put the livestock owned by me in good condition and to dispose of and sell said stock and other personally and to settle said Estate and close said trust, within one year if feasible and with all reasonable dispatch after my death, having regard for the best interest of the Estate.

In all other respects, Gratify and confirm said Will executed on the 24th day of March 1893 and all the provisions thereof.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 27th day of March A. D. 1893.

Morgan Lyon (sd)

Signed, sealed, published, and declared by said Testator to be the Codicil to his last Will and Testament, to us who at his request, in his presence, and in the presence of each other have hereunto set our names as witnesses.

Calfernia Edmonds (sd), Vergennes Mich
Myron N. Walker, Grand Rapids Mich

(Morgan Lyon died April 12, 1893.)