Wills: DAWSON, John 1811?: George Twp, Fayette Co, PA

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Note: No corrections to spelling, punctuation, grammar or phrasing have been
made. The copy has been in my possession for 30 years and I have yet to find
connections with his family. Perhaps it will help someone else in their
research.

In the name of God: Amen

I John Dawson of George Township, Fayette County and commonwealth of Penna.
being of sound mind and disposing memory being desirous to settle my worldly
business while I have strength and capasity so to do, that I may be better
prepared to leave this world when God in his providence may call me hence do
make and constitute this my last will and Testament in the following manner
to it. I give and bequeath my soul to God its creator and my body to a
deacent Christian like buriel.

Item 1st I give and bequeath to my loving wife Elizabeth Dawson in lieu of
her lawful dowry the entire use and possesion of my homestead farm containing
two hundred and forty acres of land more or less; being the same tract of land
wiled to be by my late father, Jacob Downard deceased during (?) natural life,
for the purpose of maintaining schooling and instructing my children, also as
much of my house hold and kitchen furniture as she may desire for the use of
the family together with her choice of four head of my horses and harness for
each, one plow and harrow, wind mill, with other farming ??lings four cows of
her choice the entire stock of hoggs and sheep on hands if she sees proper to
take them. Likewise to have provision for the family and stock after my
decease until it can be procured of the farm; together with the bees in the
hive or any other necessary article on the farm to carry on the same and at
the decease of my wife it is my will and I do direct my Executor to sell the
farm before described and divide the proceeds equally between my four
youngest children namely Lewis Merchant, William Henry, Elizabeth and
Harrison, but in case my wife should die before all the legatees named should
become of age I nomenate to the court my worthy friend Jeremiah Hendale (?) as
their guardian him in conjunction with my Excecutor shall use the farm and
personal property to keep the children together and apply the proceeds to
their use but in their judgement. Should they believe it most advantageous to
the interest of the heirs named to sell the farm that has been described and
wiled to them, and the personal property so remaining shall be sold and
equally divided share and share a like between all my surviving legatees.

Item 2nd For the purpose of making provision for paying my honest debts it is
my will and I do direct my Executor to sell the balance of my personal
property at either private or public sale and with the proceeds and fees
coming to the estate apply to paying the debts together with the rents of the
balance of my land herein after described with the surplus proceeds of the
homestead farm until there is a sum sufficient to pay all my just debts and
funeral expences. Then the balance of my land including the land I purchased
of John Thomas situated in Union Township adjoining the lands of Isaac
Hage(?), Abraham Brown and others containing one hundred and thirty acres
more or less. Likewise the farm I purchased of my brother Jacob Dawson
adjoining my homestead farm it being the same land (?) to him the said Jacob
by our late father Jacob Downard deceased. Also a small tract I purchased of
(?) Hannah containing fifty two acres and one half together with a house and
lot adjoining said tract this lot I purchased of Elizabeth Wheaten the ?
pieces or tract of land last enumerated is to be sold at the decition of my
Executor when it will be considered by him and the heirs inter...? that they
will bring a fair price and the proceeds of the sale and the balance of the
rents of any shall be equally divided share and share a like between my five
eldest children namely James, Eliza Ann, Jacob, Sarah Jane and John Sturgeon
share and share a like but in case either of my children should die without a
lawful (may be issue) their (?) or shares shall be equally divided amongts the
rest of the Legatees.

3rd Item It is my will and I do direct should there be any differences of
opinion arise between my Executor and window or between my Executor and any
of my heirs with respect of the construction of this or excecution of this my
will I nomenate and appoint my worthy friend James Adams of George Township as
Arbitrator in the case who shall have full power after hearing the parties
proofs and aligations to give his decision in writing which shall be final
and from it there shall be no appeal any law usage or customs to the contrary
notwithstanding.

Lastly I nominate and appoint my worthy friend Isaac ? Executor of this my
last will and Testement and in case of resignation I authorize him with full
power to nominate to the court his successors but in case of death I give
this power to my arbitrator James Adams to nominate his successor. I further
empower my Executor to make and Execute all deeds of conveyance or in case of
any unforseen emergency to sell and convey a sufficiency of the homstead farm
to meet the deficiency.

In testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 14th day of
(may be April.) D 18?1 (could be 1811) revoking all former wills made by me
to be of no effect but declaring this and only this to be my will and
Testament Signed acknowledged in the presence of the subscribing Witness
H.W. (may be Cox or Coxe) signed by John Dawson Jacob Johnson