The last will and testament of Melvin Drake of Southfield in Oakland County Michigan.

I Melvin Drake above named being of sound mind and for this I thank almighty God do make, ordain, and declare this instrument to be my last will and testament hereby revoking all former will made by me and First I direct that all my just debts including the expenses of my sickness and funeral charges be fully paid.
Second, to each of my grand children – namely, Hattie Drake, Melvin Drake, Melvin D. Sly, and Charles B. Sly, George L. Covert & Almira Covert I give and bequeath the sum of five hundred dollars. To my daughter in law Martha J. Drake, I give and bequeath two promissory notes which were given to me by her husband Francis W. Drake deceased which now with accrued interest amount to about Fourteen Hundred Dollars. To my son in law Isaac N. Covert I give and bequeath the sum of one hundred dollars. All the rest and residue of the estate of which I shall die possessed both personal real and mixed, whatsoever the same may consist, I do give grant devise and bequeath to my daughter Almira D. Sly the wife of John B. Sly to have and to hold the same to her and her heirs and assigns forever.
Third, I do hereby nominate and appoint my Grand Son Melvin D. Sly executor of this my last will and testament.
In testimony whereof I have and do hereunto set my hand at Pontiac in the County of Oakland this 27th day of June in the year eighteen hundred and seventy nine. Melvin Drake

The above instrument was executed and signed in our presence and we at the request of Melvin Drake the testator and in his presence sign our names below as attesting witnesses and he declared the said instrument to be his last will and testament and he was of sound and disposing mind at the time of its execution.
Charles Draper Pontiac Michigan
W. A. Draper Pontiac “

State of Michigan} Probate Court for said County
County of Oakland} March 29th 1880
James A. Jacokes Judge

State of Michigan} Probate Court for said County
County of Oakland} March 29th 1880
I James A. Jacokes Judge Of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the forgoing instrument was this day duly formed appeared & allowed as and for the last will and testament of Melvin Drake late of Southfield in said County deceased and ordered to be recorded as more fully appears by an order this day executed in the of said Court.

The Witnesses where of I hereunto set my hand well affixed the seal of said court this 29th day of March A.D. 1880

James A. Jacokes
Judge of Probate

(Also attached is the Letters Testamentary for the Probate Court for said County; State of Michigan, County of Oakland; assigning Melvin D. Sly the executor of the estate of Melvin Drake, deceased, dated March 29, 1880.)