#30 - Willis Hubbs, and #31 - Elizabeth Rutherford Hubbs, members of Berea Church

As seen can be seen on the photo itself, this is a copy of a cyanotype photograph taken about 1865, just two years before Mr. and Mrs. Willis Hubbs, our ancestors, were listed among members of the Church. The photo, along with other historical information, was found at a website about Berea Church.

Mr. Willis Hubbs and Mrs. Willis Hubbs were listed among the members of Berea Church of Christ (aka The Church of Christ of Indian Creek) in Morgan County, Illinois in January, 1867. Lists of members of the church in other years include other members of the Hubbs family and some of their in-laws.

The following statement was written when the church was first organized in 1851. The information came from a record which was transcribed on a web page regarding Berea Church History.

Copied from the Original Book, Berea Church of Chirst:

"Morgan Schoolhouse No. 2, Aug. 15, 1851
We, the body of Christ, agree to organizing ourselves after the primitive practice to watch over one another and admonish each other, for our good, to take the scriptures of the old and new testaments for our rule of faith and practice.

That for practice, the new is sufficient, but for faith both are required. To call ourselves by the name given to Christians in the primitiave age by the Apostles-definitely called Christians-the followers of Christ. We agree to continue steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine, in fellowship, in breaking of bread and in prayers. Further as the primitive organizaitons were named according to locations so that they might be addressed or called upon by the traveling brethren, therefore we agree to known as the Church of Christ of Indian Creek, meeting at Morgan Schoolhouse No. 2."

#62 - Ezekiel Rutherford, Entry of his will in Will Book B, Morgan County, Illinois

These pages are from Morgan County, Illinois Will Book B, pages 233-235. The book is found in SLC at the Family History Library Film #1317859. The first page is Ezekiel Rutherford's will and the second two pages are testimony of the will and it's entry into probate. The third page says that Ezekiel died "on or about the 13th day of February" 1856, but his headstone states it was February 14, 1856. Notice that Willis Hubbs, Matilda's father, was one of the witnesses to the will.


Below is the transcription of the will of Ezekiel Rutherford.

Transcription:

I Ezekiel Rutherford of the County of Morgan and State of Illinois do hereby make and devise this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following to wit.

First It is my Will that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be fully paid.

Secondly, After the payment of such funeral expences [sic] and debts, I give devise and bequeath unto my son, Lloyd Rutherford the sum of five hundred and six dollars and my trunk and wearing apparel.

Thirdly, I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Hubbs my Bedstead.

Fourthly, I give and bequeath unto my son, David Rutherford one horse which he has now in his possession and my bed, bed clothes and cord.

Fifthly, I give and bequeath unto my Daughter, Mary Zachary my one horse wagon, the Lines and two Bridles the Said Wagon to be sold by my executors and the Money sent to her.

And Sixthly, I devise and bequeath unto my Grand Daughter, Rosetta Peterson the sum of fifty Dollars.

And Lastly I hereby Constitute and appoint my Grand Son John Hubbs Executor of this my Last Will and Testament revoking and annulling all former Wills by me made and ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I the Said Ezekiel Rutherford have hereunto set my hand and seal this 25^th day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand Eighteen hundred and fifty five.

Ezekiel Rutherford    [Seal]

Signed Sealed published and declared by the Said Ezekiel Rutherford as and for his Last Will and Testament in presence [sic] of us who in his presence and in the presence of Each Other and at his request have subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto.

Ephraim Gard

Willis Hubbs