Chester County Wills

Last Will and Testament of Joseph Elton

I Joseph Elton of the Township of East Goshen in the County of Chester and State of Pennsylvania Yeoman being advanced in life though of a sound mind, memory and understanding and considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof do think fit to make this instrument of writing as and for my last will and testament for the disposal of such worldly estate as providence in kind mercy hath been pleased to bless me with in the manner following to wit:

In the first place I order and direct all my just debts and funeral expences to be paid as soon as convenient after my decease by my executor hereinafter named.

Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Rosanna, the full and free use of my dwelling house, cellars, garden, and spring house during her natural life, with all the necessary and useful articles of household and kitchen furniture during said term, with the sum of twenty dollars yearly during her natural life, together with a sufficiency of fire wood, with all the other necessaries and conveniences of life of my plantation during said term, the wood to be cut and hauled to the door and there cut of suitable size and length for her use by the person or persons who may occupy my said plantation and in case my son Emmor shall think fit to build a suitable edition to my dwelling house for the conveniency of my said wife, then her priviledge of the dwelling house by her consent to be given up to my said son Emmor.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Julian Levis, the wife of Cyrus Levis, the sum of three hundred dollars lawful money of Pennsylvania to paid in one year after my decease.

Item I give devise and bequeath unto my said son Emmor Elton, the house, buildings, Plantation and tract or parcel of land whereon I now live situate in the said Township of East Goshen with the appurtenances thereunto belonging to hold to him my said son Emmor Elton his heirs and assigns forever together with all my stock and other personal estate of whatsoever kind sort or quality.

And lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said son Emmor Elton to be the sole Executor of this my last will and testament hereby disanuling and making void all other and former wills by me heretofore made and declare this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said Joseph Elton have here unto set my hand and seal this twentyninth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twentynine.

Joseph Elton, (seal)

Signed, sealed and published pronounced and declared by Joseph Elton the testator above named as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request have subscribed our names as evidences

James Dilworth, affixed Oct 3
Joseph Phillips, affixed Oct 1, 1831

West Chester, Oct. 3, 1831 Then personally appeared James Dilworth and on the 1st Oct., appeared Joseph Phillips, who being affixed in due form of law did depose and say that they were present and did see and hear Joseph Elton the testator in the foregoing instrument of writing named sign seal publish pronounce and declare the same as and for his last will and testament and at the doing thereof he was of a sound and well disposing mind and memory to the best of their knowledge and belief.

Affixed John Denny, Dep. Register

Be it remembered that on the 3rd day of October the last will and testament of Joseph Elton was proved and approved in due form of law and on the eight day of same month, Letters Testamentary thereon were duly granted to Emmor Elton the Executor therein named, who was appointed to make a true and perfect inventory of said decease's estate and to exhibit the same unto the Register's Office in one month also diligently and faithfully to regards and well and truly comply with the provisions of an act of Assembly passed the 7th day of April A. D. 1826 relating to collateral inheritances and to make a true and just account of his administration in one year or when thereunto legally required. Given under my hand and seal of office.

Robert Ralston, Register Account of Emmor Elton Executor to the estate of Joseph Elton deceased, late of East Goshen

Amount of appraisement of personal property of Joseph Elton, deceased $1426.00

Respectfully submitted by executor, Emmor Elton
May 25th, 1836
Errors excepted

Beds and Bedding 80.00
Tables and chairs 35.00
Secretary, Case Drawers and Cupboard 35.00
Wooden Clock 20.00
Stove 10.00
Carpeting 15.00
Three mirrors 12.00
China and earthen ware 30.00
Iron ware 15.00
Barrels Tubs and churn 25.00
Tin milk pans 11.00
Ploughs and harrows 35.00
Waggon and carts 70.00
Riding Chair 30.00
Gears and harness 12.00
Winnowing mill 15.00
Corn, wheat, rye and oats 260.00
Hay 180.00
Hogs, sows and pigs 97.00
Cows and heiffers 239.00
Horses and colt 200.00
Total 1426.00

Chester County

Personally appeared before the subscriber one of the justices of the peace in and for the County of Chester, John Templeton and Thomas G. Garrett who have declared the former upon his solemn oath the latter upon his affirmation that the above is a just and conscionable appraisement of the personal property of Joseph Elton, deceased.

Witness the hand and seals of the appraisers as well as the said justice of the peace this 3rd of November A. D. 1831.

John Templeton (Seal)

Thomas G. Garrett (Seal)
Joseph Mason, one of the justices
of the peace in and for the County of Chester.