Kindly supplied by William Hutchinson, descendant of George Ripley Wheelock, and E. L. R. Wheelock, Feb. 1999

The Republic of Texas County of Robertson

Know all men by these presents that I  E. L. R. Wheelock of the County aforesaid being sound of mind and weak in body do constitute this my last Will and Testament.

First and request the constituted authority to respect the same as such- First I constitute and appoint by beloved wife Mary and George Ripley Wheelock as my legal Executors or either of them in case the other is incapable of acting from disability or non acceptance and request them to be governed by the following instructions and request the same being my last will and testament.

First that they will pay all of my just debts, and for that purpose will dispose of my property that I am possessed of; I give and bequest my balance to my beloved wife Mary in trust for her two sons William H. Wheelock and David P Wheelock which is in Texas to be used and enjoyed by her during her life, with the exception of such Land as may be necessary for a home for them not exceeding a third of a League of Land when they arrive at the age of twenty one years old. I wish my headright to be the last sold in case they should be compelled to sell any lands to pay my debts which fraud might introduce against my estate as I wish my headright to be ultimately equally divided between my sons William and David Which I have not previously sold giving to each a due portion of timber and prairie. I do this conceiving that by bringing them to the country and What I have all ready done for them meaning my son George Ripley Wheelock and daughter Annette W Killough is equivalent for what I can do for David and William out of my Estate in Texas but I bequeath five dollars to my son George R. Wheelock and daughter Annette on testimony of respect. I further that this property that is mine or due to me either lands or money in the United States shall be collected or sold and after paying the expenses to be equally divided into five parts and paid over to my beloved wife Mary and my four children by her. In case my executors should conceive it the interest of my heirs to continue the village of Wheelock They are at liberty to do so to the amount of one hundred acres of land which they are authorized to sell for that purpose as they think proper.

I hereby request that proper probate -------- ------- ------ my executors but to give them all the advantages which the law will permit entirely confiding in them prudence and economy as to my heirs.

I wish my son William to learn a trade and my son David to remain and support his Mother. Now having all my earthy requests I resign my soul to my great Creator believing through the redeeming grave of our Lord that I shall be safe dying in peace and good will toward the human family.

Witness my hand and Seal
12th of Nov 1844
E. L. R. Wheelock
(seal)