Chester County Wills

Hannah Downing, 1842

I, Hannah Downing, of the Township of East Caln in the county of Chester and State of Pennsylvania, being of sound mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and Testament in the following, that is to say:

FIRST that all my just debts and funeral expenses to be paid.

Item 2: I give and bequeath unto my beloved mother, Elizabeth Riter, the sum of twenty-five dollars.

Item 3: I give and bequeath to my brother, James Downing, Seventy-five dollars of the money he owes me.

Item 4: I give and bequeath to my brother John Downing seventy-five dollars, fifty of which he owed me.

Item 5: I give and bequeath to my sister Thomazin Woodward seventy-five dollars.

Item 6: I give and bequeath to my sister Sarah D. Foster seventy-five dollars.

Item 7: I give and bequeath to my sister Mary Ann Downing my bed and bedding, andirons, shovel and tongs, looking glass, and all the remainder of my Estate not heretofore given or willed away, the several legacies to be paid in one year after my death.

Lastly, I do hereby nominate and appoint from my sister Mary Ann Downing executrix of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I, Hannah Downing, the testatrix, have to this my will put in my hand and seal this Sixteenth of November in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty Two. (s) Hannah Downing.

Witness: Davis Hoopes, Sarah Hoopes.
George W. Parke, Registrar

Submitter's Note: Hannah died unmarried at the age of 21 on December 17th, 1842. Her parents were Joseph Downing and Elizabeth Beidler of East Caln. Joseph d. 1822, and Elizabeth remarried to Benjamin Riter.