Chester County Wills

Jacob Root, 1841

Probate records Chester Co, PA, LDS #20850 Vol 18 P. 19. "In the name of God amen. I Jacob Root of Coventry township Chester county and state of Pennsylvania being weak of body but of sound mind memory and understanding and considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do make and publish this my last will and testament and as to such worldly estate as it has pleased providence to bless me with in this life I give bequeath and dispose of the same as hereinafter set forth.

Item It is my will and I do order that all my just debts and funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be done after my decease.

Secondly It is my will and I do order that all my personal goods be disposed of by public sale within six weeks after my decease by my hereinafter named executors the proceeds thereof to discharge my just debts and funeral expenses and the balance (if any there be) to be disposed of as hereinafter provided for.

Thirdly, It is my will and I do order that my real estate containing three hundred acres more or less situated in Coventry township Chester County be divided into two shares and disposed of in the following manner viz that part of my real estate being south of the Philadelphia and Reading Road beginning at Owen Stovers land and thence westwardly along said Phila & Reading road to the first Hickory Tree near the edge of the woods thence southwardly by lands of ____ in a straight line to a corner of land of John Titlow thence by the same eastwardly to lands of Owen Stover thence by the same northwardly to the place of beginning all of which said land with the appertenances thereunto belonging within the above described bounds I give and bequeath unto the children of my deceased son Jacob Root their heirs and assigns forever to be divided in equal shares between them in such a way as they or their representatives can agree among themselves which said lands shall be in full for their share of my estate. That part of my real estate being north of the Philadephia and Reading road and the part south of the said road not including in the bequeath above mentioned I give and bequeath unto my son John Root his heirs and assigns forever as his full legacy subject nevertheless to the payment by my son John Root of Five hundred dollars (without interest) to each of the children of my deceased daughter Susan upon there becoming of age which said sum where paid to be in full of their share of my estate.

Fourthly, It is my will and I do order that all my bonds notes book accts and proceeds of my personal goods be collected as soon as circumstances will admit of and be divided in three equal shares one equal third part to be paid to the children or their representatives of my son John Root. Two equal third parts to be paid to such person or persons as my executors shall appoint in trust and to be by him or them put upon interest and the interest of which to be paid half yearly to my daughter Catharine intermarried with John Albright and my daughter Elizabeth intermarried with John Howberger for their sole and separate use during their natural lives ___ of their said husbands and for which their the said Catharine and Elizabeth receipt above for their respective parts shall be a sufficient discharge and from and after the decease of the said Catharine or Elizabeth their respective share shall be equally divided among their respective children share and share alike. It is further my will that the sum of nine hundred dollars paid by me to each of my son in laws John Albright John Howberger and Daniel Howberger and charged to them in my book shall be their legacy in full out of my estate.

Lastly, I nominate constitute and appoint my grandsons David M. Root and Jacob M. Root to be my executors of this my last will and testament revoking and annulling all former wills by me made and ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament Witness my hand this first day of May A.D. 1840.

Witnessed by: John Thompson and Henry Geist." Will of Jacob Root 3/23/1841.