I John P. Gaar of York in the County of Carroll and State of Illinois do hereby make and declare 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.

Second. After the payment of such funeral expenses and debts, I give devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Gaar all my estate both real and personal during her natural life and thereby authorise and empower her to sell and convey any or all of my said estate in form and manner she may think best for the payment of the above named debts or for the support of herself or Children or for any other purpose she may think best and at her death all my said estate to her bequeathed or so much as there may be remaining after paying her just debts and funeral charges to my Children dividing the same equally amongst them.

Thirdly. It is my will and I hereby appoint and constitute my said wife Elizabeth Gaar to be the sole Guardian of my Children during their minority.

Fourthly. It is my will and I hereby direct that the Executor or Executrix of this my last will and testament shall not be required to have any of my said Estate appraised or give any bail or security for the performance of the duties herein specified other than the Court may deem necessary to secure the payment of my aforesaid debts.

And lastly I hereby constitute and appoint my said wife Elizabeth Gaar executrix of this my last will and testament revoking and annulling all former will by me made and ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I the said John P. Gaar have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five.

John P. Gaar [seal]

Signed sealed published and declared by the said John P. Gaar as and for his last will and testament in presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other and at his request have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
Norman D. French
Jonathan T. Dunshee

Further information on the estate of John P. Gaar:
1. State of Illinois Caroll County - September Term 1867
Elizabeth Gaar the undersigned would state that she is Testamentary [?] and Guardian for said named children of John P. Gaar deceased and said children were aged as follows:
Dorcas A. Gaar was aged 15 years
Rosanna S. Gaar was aged 12 years
Lovina M. Gaar was aged 10 years
John A. Gaar was aged 7 years
Mary F. Gaar was aged 5 years
2. State of Illinois Carroll County - August Term 1876
Timothy Dunshee appears that Jonathan T. Dunshee is now deceased and Timothy is the son Jonathan.
3. State of Illinois Carroll County - August Term 1876
Elizabeth Gaar state her husband departed this life at his residence on or about the 25th day of April 1855.

From my records:
Family of John P. Gaar:
John Powell Gaar
b. 15 Sep 1809 KY
d. 25 Apr 1855 York, Carroll Co., IL
m. probably 1st Dorcas Carson 27 Jun 1836 Johnson Co., IN
m. Elizabeth "Betsy" Shoemaker 9 May 1839 Marion Co., IN
John Powell Gaar was the son of John M. and Mary K. (Smith) Garr.
Elizabeth Shoemaker was the daughter of Christian and Rosanna (Witt) Shoemaker.
John P. and Elizabeth (Shoemaker) Gaar children:
1. Dorcas Ann Gaar
b. 3 Apr 1840 IN
d. 1928
m. Calvin C. St. Ores
2. Cornelius I. Gaar
b. 17 Feb 1842 IN
d. 30 Mar 1843
3. Rosanna Shoemaker Gaar
b. 7 Mar 1843 York Twp., Carroll Co., IL
d. 1923
m. Andrew Jackson Miner
4. Melissa Levina Gaar
b. 27 Oct 1845 York Twp., Carroll Co., IL
d. 1930
m. Elijah Hubbard Dyson
5. John Andrew Gaar
b. 21 Jan 1848 York Twp., Carroll Co., IL
d. 18 Jun 1904
m. Mary Switzer
6. Mary Frances Gaar
b. 18 Sep 1850 York Twp., Carroll Co., IL
d. ?
m. George Gabe Lambert
7. Lucretia C. Gaar
b. 25 Oct 1852 York Twp., Carroll Co., IL
d. 7 May 1853