Wills: John McClelland, 1819: Union Twp, Fayette Co, PA Contributed for us on USGENWeb Archives by Barbara Long Emery HyBy@willard-oh.com USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other site. We encourage links to the State and County Table of Contents. _________________________________________________ In the Name of God, Amen. I John McClelland of Union township Fayette County and State of Pennsylvania being sick and weak in Body but of sound mind memory and understanding (blessed be God for the same) and Considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do make and publish this my last will and Testament in manner and form following, to wit. Principally and first of all I commend my immortal soul into the hands of God who gave it and my body to the Earth to be burried in a decent and Christian like manner at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter named and as to such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give and dispose of the same in the following manner, to wit. I allow all my Estate, real and personal to be sold by my Executors hereinafter named as soon as conveniency will permit after my decease (except as hereinafter excepted) to the best advantage they can my personal property, by public sale and my Real property by public or private sale, at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter named, and after paying my just debts and funeral charges I allow forty Dollars to be appropriated by my said Executors for the purpose of enclosing the family burying ground (at what is called the old Meeting house ground) with a substantial stone wall, if that sum, or less will accomplish it. And if my Son Alexander will undertake to have this service performed I allow my Said Executors to furnish him with what money may be necessary not exceeding the above mentioned sum when the work is completed and money is raised from the sale of my Estate. but if it is not Convenient for my said Son Alexander to have said work done I Request my said Executors to have the same done and further I allow John Bowers (who is bound to me by Indenture until he arrives to the age of twenty one years to serve his time out with my Son Alexander which I give to my said Son. And I allow my said Executors to pay into the hands of my said Son, Alexander forty Dollars as soon as money can be procured of my Estate for the said John Bowers which .......I give to him. And to be paid to him by my said Son Alexander as soon as John shall be free provided said John shall serve out his time. And to my Daughter Margaret's son James Adams I give and devise to him and to his heirs and Assigns forever that piece of land whereon Jacob Davis now lives in Dunbar Township and County afforesaid Containing fifty acres. Should Davis not be Able to pay for said land, but should said Davis pay for said land, then I give to my said Grandson, James Adams the price thereof when collected, to the Collection of which it is my wish that my Executors should pay a prompt attention and further I give to my said Grandson James Adams the second choice of one of my Stock of horses, my Executors to have the first choice together with two young Milch Cows six sheep and a small square table and three chairs. And all the rest and residue of the monies ariseing from the sale of my Estate not already disposed of together with what money and obligations may be found on hand at my decease. I allow to be equal divided amongst my three Children -- Alexander, Elizabeth and Margaret share and share alike which I give to them and to their heirs forever. And lastly I nominate Constitute and appoint Robert ?Jenks? and Matthew Gilchrist to be the Executors of this my will hereby Revoking all other wills, legacies and bequests by me heretofore made and declaring this an no other to be my last will and Testament ...In witness whereof I have set my had and seal the seventeenth day of September in the Year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen. John McClelland {SEAL} Signed, Sealed published pronounced and declared by the Testator as his last will & Testament In the presence of us and in his presence and at his bequest have subscribed as witnesses. James Finley John Dougless Note that the words "and funeral charges" line 13 and "forty dollars" line 24 were interlined before signing. Fayette County {LS} The 23d day of February Anno Domini 1819 Before the Subscriber Deputy Register for the Probate of wills and granting Letters of Administration in and for said County Personally came James Finley, Esqr & John Douglass two of the signing witnesses to the foregoing last will and Testament see I their solemn attestations did declare that they saw the Testator Sign & Seal the same as & for his last will & Testament when of disposing mind & Memory and that they Knew of no undue influence used to thwart his inclination to make said will and they signed the same as witnesses thereto at his request & in his presence & in the presence of each other. In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand an affixed the seal of the Registers Office at Union Town the day and year aforesaid. Moses McClean for A. McClean Register Compared, Registered & Compared the 23d day of Febr. 1819