Chester County Wills

THE WILL OF GEORGE WOOD (1748)

I George Wood of Darby in the County of Chester in the Province of Pensilvania. Inholder. At this time being of sound and well disposing mind and memory for which I humbly thank the Lord and for all other of his mercys and favours bestowed on me, and in consideration of the uncertainty of my time in the world think fit to make this my last will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say, first of all I recommend my soul to God whose right it is, to return him honour and praises forevermore, and my body to be buried at the discretion of my Executors:

2ndly I order my Executors to pay my just debts and funeral expences, as soon as they conveniently can after my decease.

3rdly. I give my loving wife Hannah Wood fifty pounds worth of such household goods as she shall choose, at a reasonable appraisement and likewise the use of the house wherein I now dwell with the outhouses and stables thereunto belonging and the lot whereon they now stand as far as the North West end of the old stable and extending from Haverfor Road to Thomas Pearson’s lot, for and during her widdowhood, in lieu of her dowery or third of my estate ( only reserving a convenient room or home, for my daughter Ann and her household goods, in my said dwelling house during the term aforesaid, if my said daughter lives so long unmarried) and my will and mind further is , and I do hereby order authorize and empower my Executor or the majority of survivors or survivor of them to dispose of all the residue of my goods & effects and also to sell and convey in fee simple, to any person or persons as will purchase the same all remainder of my lands and improvements thereon, whatsoever and whensoever the same may be found and out of the money arising by the sale there of with my outstanding debts (after my funeral expences and just debts paid as afforesaid) I give unto my two sons Jonathan & George the sum of ten pounds each and the remainder to be equally divided between them, and the rest of my children, share & share alike; my two daughters Jane and Sarah accounting for what they have respectively received: furthermore my will is ( that after the intermarriage or decease of my wife afforesaid ) the house & colt and outhouses thereunto reserved, for the use of my wife and daughter Ann as afforesd. be sold, and conveyed in fee simple to such persons or person as will purchase the same by my Executors or the majority or survivors or survivor and the money arising from the sale thereof, to be equally divided between all my children share and share alike: and my will is that if my son Jonathan should dye unmarried, and without issue, that his part or share in this my will given him, I give unto my son George and if my son George dye before he arrives to the age of twenty one years, unmarried and without issue then my will is that his part or share, in this my will given him be equally divided between the remainder of my children share and share alike.

And moreover I order that the division of my estate (save only the house, lot and outhouses thereunto belonging reserved for the use of my wife and daughter Ann as afforsd.) be disposed of as afforsd. and the money arising from the sale thereof, be divided amongst my children as afforsd. within one year after my decease and my will is also that the afforesd. house lot and premises (reserved for the use of my wife during her widdowhood, as afforsd) be disposed of as afforsd. and the money arising from the sale thereof be also divided as afforsd. amongst my children within one year after the intermarriage or decease of my wife.

And lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my loving wife Hannah Wood my son in law John Pearson my daughter Ann Wood and my son George Wood Executors of this my last will and Testament: And do hereby revoke disannal and make void all other or former wills made by me. In wittness whereof I the said George Wood have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fifth day of February one thousand seven hundred and forty eight(nine)

George Wood (seal)
Signed, Sealed published and declared by the said George Wood the Testator to be his last will and Testament in the presents of us
v Charles Grantum
Richd Lloyd
Joseph Bonsall

Chester August 16th 1750. Then personally appeared Richard Lloyd and Joseph Bonsall and (being of the people called Quakers on their solemn affirmations according to law did declare and affirm that they were personally present and said and heard the Testator within named sign seal publish pronounce & declare the within writing to be his last Will and Testament and that at the doing thereof he was of sound mind & memory to the best of their understandings.

Coram

Jo Parker. D Reg.

Be it remembered that on the 16th day of August Anno Dom 1750 the last Will and Testament of George Wood late of the said County Innholder deceased was proved in due form of law and Probate & Letters of Administration was granted to his loving wife Hannah Wood, his son in law John Pearson, his daughter Ann Wood and his son George Wood sole Executor in the said Will named being first attested according to law, well and truly to administer and bring in an Inventory of the deceds. estate into the Reg. Office at Chester on or before the 16th day of October next and rendering a true and just account of their administration when legally thereto required. Given under the seal of sd. office. Jo Parker

D. Reg.
Chester County Will Book C, Vol. 3 (1747-1755)