Chester County Wills

William Woodward, 1769

I William Woodward of the Township of West Bradford in the County of Chester and province of Pennsylvania, being Weak of body, but Sound and Disposing Mind and Memory, Calling to mind the uncertainty of time here as Well knowing that it is appointed once for all men to Die, Do therefore Order and Dispose of such Worldly Effects as kind Providence hath Bless'd me with in the following Manner Vis

It is my Will and I do Order that in the first place all my Inst. Debts and funeral Charges be fully paid and Satisfyed by my Executors hereafter Named as Soon as Conveniently may be after my decease.

I give and bequeath unto my Loving wife Hannah Woodward one Horse Creature and one Cow which she may Chuse, together with all the Household Goods and effects which She brought with her or belonged to her and the Sum of Ten pounds, to be paid her by my Executors. I likewise leave unto her use the Room where I used to Lodge with the privilege and Liberty of Cellar room and use of the Kitchen & Water at the Well &tc Sufficient for her use with other priviledges in the house to pass & repass as she may have occasion, also my son John is to pay unto her the Sum of Five Pounds a year and keep her one Horse & one Cow winter and summer & also provide Sufficient fire wood at the Door for her use and Also allow her Twelve Bushel of Wheat yearly. During the time she remains my Widow also the priviledge of the foot & rail Garden at the Northeast Corner of the House.

Item, I give unto my son Abraham Woodward the Sum of Seventy pound money of Pennsylvania

I Give unto my Daughter Hannah Woodward the sum of Forty Pounds together with all the furniture belonging to the Lower Back room

I Give unto my son James Woodward the Sum of Ten pounds

I give unto my daughter Mary Mendenhall the Sum of Ten pounds

I Give unto my Step Daughter Betty Lewis the sum of Ten pounds

I give and bequeath unto my son John Woodward and to his heirs and Assigns forever all that the Tenement & plantation wheon I now Dwell together with all the Buildings Gardens Orchards Improvements and appurtenances thereunto belonging to him his heairs and assigns forever. Nevertheless subject to the priviledges reserved to my widow before Mentioned--

All the Remaining part of my personal Estate after Debts & Legacies before mentioned are paid I leave to be Equally Divided between my four sons and Two Daughters Share and Share alike.

Lastly I do hereby Ordain Constitute and Appoint my Loving wife Hannah Woodward & my Son William to be my whole and Sole Executors of this my last will and testament hereby Revoking and Disanulling all other & former Wills by me heretofore made Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my Last will and Testament --

In witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal this Thirtieth Day of the Seventh Month in the Year of Our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred & Sixty Nine -- 1769

William Woodward (Seal)
Signed Sealed published Pronounced and acknowledged by the Testament in the presence of us
George Carter
James Marshall
James Woodward