Wills, Probate Records, Orphan's Court and Posted Notices, Estate Sales of Deceased
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Orphan Court, Vol 2, Page 237
Dated 26 Aug 1816
SAMUEL FINLEY Estate - Donated by Margaret Gagliardi
August Court 1816. POLLY FINLEY for Guardian
POLLY FINDLEY Daughter of SAMUEL FINDLEY Deceased Presents her Petition to the court Praying the court to Permit her to Make Choice of a guardian to take care of her Person and Estate the Petitioner Being admitted chooses MICHAEL DIVELY Esquire who is appointed guardian for Said Minor until She Shall arrive at full age.
By the Court ALEXANDER _, Clerk - 26 August 1816
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Will Book, Volume I, Page 246
Dated 8 August 1821, Proven 5 Jan 1824
Will of BENJAMIN BROWNFIELD
BENJAMIN BROWNFIELD Senior of Union Township, Fayette County and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania being at present of sound and disposing mind and reflecting on the Uncertainty of this Mortal life, have thought it prudent to make my last will and Testament. In the first place I order all my just debts to be fully paid - Secondly I direct my Executor to cause my Body to be decently intered - Thirdly I allow my affectionate and beloved wife the full use of my houses and furniture now in my occupancy, together with the use of the Garden now used by her with uninterrupted regress and regress too and from the same at all times also the like privilege and use of the water during her life - also two Cows of her choice and her riding mare saddle and Bridle - Fourthly I allow the interest of all the monies that may be on hand," and my own property," and as well the interest of all monies already put to interest or that may be before my decease" to be at my wifes disposal for her support and Comfort during her life (should she survive me) - In case she should survive me - At her Decease, my Executor is hereby directed to pay unto my Grandson BENJAMIN PRITCHET one hundred Dollars - also to my Grandson CHARLES BROWNFIELD Son of my Son BENJAMIN BROWNFIELD on Hundred Dollars - But if both or either of my aforesaid Grandsons should die without lawful issue, their or either of their bequests is to be equally divided amongst my three surviving children, or in case of the death of either - among their or either of the deceased lawful heirs. - I devise and bequeath to my Son BENJAMIN all my real Estate, my Clock and large bible - (My Silver Spoons to be Equally divided between my two Daughters MARY BROWN and SARAH PRITCHET, or their rightful representatives - The residue of my Personal Estate Considering of money or what other property that may be or remain at the death of my wife (should she survive me) or at my death, (should I survive her) is to be Equally divided between my three Children viz. MARY, BENJAMIN & SARAH before mentioned or their respective legal heirs. It is my further will and desire that when the amount of the residue of my personal Estate before mentioned shall be fully ascertained after the decease of my wife should She Survive me or after my death "should I Survive" shall be equally divided between my three Children "viz" - MARY, BENJAMIN, and SARAH, or their Respective heirs - And if my three before named Children or their legal representatives can and do agree upon an equal distribution of the residue of my personal property before mentioned after the same shall have been valued and appraised. It would be most agreeable to my wishes otherwise to be sold at public Vendue and the monies arising therefrom to be equally divided as aforesaid - And it is my further will and desire that should my said wife survive me as aforesaid, that she shall have pasture sufficient for the Creatures before mentioned in the season of Pasture and also to be sufficiently provided for through the winter - Also suitable firewood laid convenient sufficient for her use at all seasons. Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my Son BENJAMIN BROWNFIELD to be sole Executor of this my will, setting aside my former or other will or wills heretofore by me made. Witness my hand and Seal the eight day of August one thousand eight hundred and twenty one. Signed BENJAMIN (x) BROWNFIELD (his mark)
Signed and Sealed in our presence after the same having been distinctly read to him by the latter signer in the presence of the former. Signed ALEXANDER McCLEAN SENIOR, MOSES McCLEAN
Fayette County SS. This 5th day of January 1824, Before JAMES MORRIS Deputy Register for the Probate of wills and granting Letters of Administration in and foresaid County, Personally came ALEXANDER McCLEAN SENIOR, Esqr. and MOSES McCLEAN the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing will, and being duly sworn according to Law did depose and say, That they saw the Testator sign and seal the foregoing instrument of writing as and for his last will and Testament, and at the time of so doing he was of sound mind memory and understanding, to the best of their knowledge and belief - In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said office the day and year above written. JAMES MORRIS, Deputy Register.
Registered & Compared the 5th day of January 1824.
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Will Book, 3, Page 183
Dated 4 Feb 1854, Recorded 15 May 1855
Will of MARY FINLEY - Donated by Margaret Gagliardi
In the name of God I MARY FINDLEY of the Township of Perry & County of Fayette & State of Pennsylvania being weak in body but of Sound mind & memory blessed be God for the hope that I Entertain after my decease feeling anxious to make distribution of my worldly Effects so that my mind will be at ease. I will & ordain this my last will & Testament as follows 1st I will and bequeath unto my beloved husband GEORGE FINLEY all that plantation that we now reside upon in the before mentioned township known y the Gailey farm adjoining lands of EPHRAIM LYNCH, JOHN JONES, JOSIAH KING & DANIEL ESINGTON as well as all my Personal Estate that may be long to me in any wise at my decease. Witness my hand and seal that fourth day of February eighteen and fifty four. MARY FINLEY
Attest: Signed & Sealed in the presence EPHRAIM LYNCH, JOHN (x) JONES
Fayette County SS: On this 15th day of May A.D. 1855 before me the undersigned Register for the probate of Wills &c in and for said County came EPHRAIM LYNCH & JOHN JONES who being duly affirmed did depose and say that they saw and heard the Testator Seal Sign publish and declare the same to be her last will and Testament when of Sound mind and memory that they signed the same at the request of the Testator and in her presence of each other and that no undue influence was used or later will made by Said Testator to them known. Witness my hand and the seal of the Register Office in said County this 15th day of May A.D. 1855. JNO COLLINS, Register
Recorded and Compared May 15th A.D. 1855
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Will Book 4, Page 511, No. 40
Dated 10 Aug 1874, Proven
Will of ROBERT FINLEY - Donated by Margaret Gagliardi
In the name of God Amen, I ROBERT FINLEY of Redstone Township, Fayette County & State of Pennsylvania being and monished of my Mortality & being of sound & disposing mind & memory Blessed be God for the Same do make and publish this my last will & testament and desiring it to remain as such. Item 1st I commit my soul to god who gave it & my body to the dust hoping for a glorious Resurrection through our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ at the last great day when I believe that Soul & Body will be remitted & dwell together forever more And for what worldly Property it hat pleased the Lord to Bless me with I dispose of the same as follows. Item 2nd It is my will & desire that as soon after my Death as is convenient my Executors hereinafter named pay my funeral Expenses & all my Just Debts. Item 3rd It is my will & desire that my beloved wife ANN have all my household & kitchen furniture and stuff in the house absolute to dispose of as she may think proper. It is also my will that she have the use of all my home farm on which I now live & all the stock on it (Except my fat cattle & Sheep which are to be sold by my Executors as soon as convenient after my Death) together with my wagons, Buggies, harness, of all kinds farming implements &c also to have all the dividends arising from my Stock in the 1st National Bank at Uniontown all to be enjoyed by her during her Natural life & all to be in Lieu of Dower After the Death of my beloved wife, said farm with all my property on it not consumed by my widow in her life time Shall be the Property of my son THOMAS, Provided he live with & contribute to the wants & comforts of his Mother during her widowhood after which my son THOMAS is to have my farm on which I now live at once hundred & fourteen dollars per acre and he shall have sixteen thousand two hundred & Seventy Dollars in it to make him equal to my other children the Balance over the Sixteen thousand two hundred & Seventy Dollars he shall pay into my Estate as follows, four thousand Dollars annually after the death of his mother without interest if piad when due but if not eonvenient he shall pay every two years with interest on the second year until the whole be paid all to be in addition to what I have heretofore given him & all to be his absolute. Item 4th It is my will and desire that my daughter MARGARY intermarried with JEREMIAH BAIRD have the farm I Bought from JAMES EDWARDS to be hers absolutely together with all that I have heretofore given her and in addition She is to have six thousand Dollars out of my Estate to be paid to her as soon as the funds come into the hands of my Executors hereinafter named, Item 5th. It is my will & desire that my son SAMUEL E. have the farm he now lives on with the appurtenances thereunto belonging (& fore which farm I have lately made him a Deed) by his paying into my Estate the sum of two thousand Dollars & for which Sum I hold his note the amount of said note to be paid into my estate within one year after my Death & to be with out interest if paid at that time all the above to be in addition to what I have hereunto given him, Item 6th. It is my will that my daughter MARGARET intermarried with JAMES Z. WILSON have in addition to what I have heretofore given her Eleven thousand nine hundred & forty two Dollars out of my Estate as follows, All my stock in the Bank of Morris the State of Illinois amounting to three thousand five hundred Dollars, Also, all my stock in the Bank at Streator State of Illinois amounting to four thousand four hundred & seventy Dollars also to have four thousand nine hundred & seventy two Dollars out of my Estate as soon as the funds come into the hands of my Executors all to be hers absolute. Item 7th. It is my will that my son JOHN E. have sixteen thousand nine hundred Dollars out of my Estate to be in addition to what I have heretofore given him all to be enjoyed by him during his mutual life but if he shall have issue then it is my will that all the above Legacy shall be his absolutely if not, at his Death is portion shall be divided equally among his brothers and sisters. Item 8th. It is my Will & desire that all my lands in Indiana and all my lands in the state of Iowa with all my lots in the City of Chicago together with all my Bank Stock in Ottawa State of Illinois all my stock in the 1st National Bank of Brownsville also all my stock in the Fayette County Bank at Uniontown be sold by my Executors within one year after my Death & the proceeds paid into my estate. I do hereby authorize my Executors herein named to make Deed or Deeds of Conveyance or transfer of stocks for any & all my Stock in the 1st National Bank at Uniontown together with any & all my property not herein disposed of Real personal or mixed be sold to the best advantage & that the proceeds be Equally divided among all my children then living & the heirs of those Dead share & share alike. Lastly I hereby nominate & appoint my Brother EBENEZER & my Son THOMAS, Executors of this my last will & testament in witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal the 10th day of August A.D. 1874. ROBERT FINLEY
Signed, Sealed published & declared by the within named ROBERT FINLEY to be his last Will & Testament who by his request & in his presence have signed our names. ELLIOTT HIBBS, ALBERT W. FINLEY
Codicil - I ROBERT FINLEY the testator in the foregoing my last will & testament Dated August 10thy 1874 in which I Bequeathed to my son JOHN E. the sum of Sixteen thousand nine hundred Dollars now therefore I do order & it is my will that my son JOHN E. have the sum of three thousand one hundred Dollars added to the former Bequest on the same terms & conditions as stated in my last will as above stated to make him Equal to his sister MARJARY intermarried with JEREMIAH BAIRD & his Brothers SAMUEL E. & THOMAS I having estimated the land I gave them a little low, It is my will that this Codicil be anexed & made a part of my last will & testament as aforesaid. In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & Seal the 15 Day of August A.D. 1874. ROBERT FINLEY
Signed Sealed published & Declared by the within named ROBERT FINLEY to be a Codicil to his last Will & testament who by his request & in his presence have signed our names. ELLIOTT HIBBS, ALBERT W. FINLEY
Fayette County SS: Be it know that on the 17th day of October A.D. 1874 before me JOS BEATTY Register of wills and Granting Letters of Administration in and for said County personally came ELLIOTT HIBBS & ALBERT W. FINLEY, the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing will of ROBERT FINLEY dec'd who being duly sworn according to law did depose and say that they were present and saw the said ROBERT FINLEY sign and Seal and heard him declare the same to be his last will and testament when of sound and disposing mind and memory, that they signed their names as witnesses thereto by the request of the said testator in his presence and in the presence of each other, that they were also present and saw the said ROBERT FINLEY sign, and seal the codicil to said will annexed and heard him declare the said Codicil to be a part and parcel of his last will and testament, when of sound and disposing mind and memory to the best of their belief, that they signed their names as witnesses to said Codicil by the request of the said testator in his presence and in the presence of each other. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of the Registers Office at Uniontown this 17th day of October A.D. 1874. JOS BEATTY, Reg.
Letters Testamentary granted to EBENEZER FINLEY and THOMAS FINLEY who were duly affirmed, Oct 17th A.D. 1874.
To JOSPEH BEATTY Esq. Register of wills &c in & for Fayette County, Penna. I ANNE FINLEY widow of ROBERT FINLEY late of Redstone township Fayette County Pennsylvania deceased do hereby signify and make know that I elect to accept the devises and bequeaths in my favor contained in the last will and testament of said deceased proved and of record in your office, in heir and bar of dower and of my third of the personal estate of said deceased under the intestate laws of Pennsylvania. Witness my hand this 24th day of October A.D. 1874. ANNE FINLEY.
Attest ALFRED HOWELL. Registered & Compared Oct 17th A.D. 1874
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