Wills: Peter Koons, 1844: Colerain Twp, Bedford Co, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Kerin Horton.
kerinkh@bedford.net

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Peter Koons was the son of Adam and Mary Counts/Koons/Koontz. Mentioned six other
children besides John in his will. Peter came to the Mortimore farm (noted as the
Inglebright Tract in his will) when he was young. Peter was taught the trade of
Blacksmithing by John Inglebright who was a Hessian soldier and came from Virginia.

Peter was born in March of 1771 and died in May of 1844.  Peter was married to
Catherine Nycum, daughter of John Nycum.

Will Book #3 page 267. Bedford County Wills.

Peter Koons

In the name of God, Amen. I, Peter Koons of Colerain Township Bedford County
blacksmith being weake in body (in body) but of Sound mind and memory blessed be
God for the same, do this day make and publish this my last will and testament in the
manner following.

First, that after my decease my body shall be decently interred in the Graveyard at School
House; and as soon after my interment that my funeral expenses be paid and all my Just
Debts out of the first money that may come into the hands of my executors.

Secondly, I do will and bequeath unto my beloved wife Catharine all my Real personal
and mixed property for her use for and during her natural life or as long as she shall
remain my widow and also that my son John shall occupy and farm the Englebright tract
and likewise what land is on the Hartley tract as long as my wife Catharine shall live; and
give to my wife the one thirds of all the Projuct of said Lands and at the decease of my
wife Catharine my son John Koons shall have the Englebright place or tract by paying
fourteen hundred in the following manner in two hundreds each year for seven to be then
equally divided among my seven children.  Each child is to get two hundred dollars out
of the Englebright tract and at the decease of my wife the present home place on what I
called the Hartley tract being seventy eight acres shall be valued and appraised, that each
of my heirs shall have or get share and share alike and at the decease of my wife all my
goods, chattels, household furniture and whatever belonging to me at my decease shall be
sold and the proceeds being equally divided that my heirs may get share and share alike
and futher that my son John Koons is to have deed in title until he hath paid twelve
hundreds to his six brothers and sisters and when he shall have full title of the said
premises and futher if there is not sufficient money in the hands of my Executors to pay
all my debts and in (?) my Executors shall sell of my personal property sufficient to pay
all just demands and do hereby make and ordain my wife Catherine and my son John
Koons executors of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I Peter Koons the testator have to this my last will written on one half
sheet of paper set my hand and seal this 2nd day of June A.D. 1841
Signed sealed and delivered in the presents of us who have (?) in the presents of each
other
Henry Messersmith
John McIlwaine

Bedford County Pa Personally appeared before the Subscriber Register for the Probate of
Wills and for granting letters of Administration in and for said County Henry
Messersmith, Esq. one of the witnesses to the foregoing instrument of (?); who being
duly sworn according to the Law doth depose and say that he was personally present and
saw and heard the Testator Peter Koons sign seal and publish pronounce and declare the
said instrument as and for his last will and testament, that at the time being the said
Testor was of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding according to the
best of deponents knowledge and belief and that he signed his name there to as a witness
in his presence and at his request and in the presence of the other inscribing witness to
the same Sworn and subscribed this 26th day of July Anno Domino 1841
Coram JMB Noble Regr     Henry Messersmith

Bedford County PA also personally appeared John McIlwain the other subscribing
witness to the foregoing instrument of writing who being duly sworn according the Law
doth depose and say he was present and saw the Testator Peter Koons sign his name to
the forgoing instrument of writing and heard him pronounce the same to be his last will
and testament and desire him to sign his name there to as a witness and at the time so
doing he was of sound mind and memory and understanding to the best of his knowledge
and belief Sworn and Subscribed this 28th day of November A.D. 1843
James Bornman, Dept Regr

Know all men by their presents that I Catherine Koons widow of Peter Koons late of
Colerain Township dec (?) executrix in his last will and testament named, have
renounced and released and by these presents do renounce and release and quit claim all
my right and title as Executrix to the Administration in the estate of the said deceased in
any manner whatsoever.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the
24th day of May 1844.

CATHARINE KOONS

May 25, 1844 Letters Testamentary were opened to John Koons Executor in the
foregoing will named - he having been duly sworn according to Law.

JMB Noble, Regr