Wills: Elisha Peairs/Pierce, 1816: Franklin Twp, Fayette Co, PA

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Will of Elisha Peairs/Pierce was proved on 23 May 1816 in Franklin
Township, Fayette Co., Pennsylvania.176,177

The Will of Elisha Peairs
        In the name of God amen I Elisha Peairs of Franklin Township in Fayette
County and State of Pennsylvania, yeoman, considering the shortness and
uncertainty of life, my old age, and state of health, but being of sound
mind and memory blessed be God for the same,do make and publish, this, my
last will and testament in manner and form following to viz.
        Principally, and first of all, I commend my immortal soul unto God who
gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in the decent and Christian
manner at the discretion of my executors herein after named. Nothing
doubting, but to receive the same at the general Resurrection.
        And as touching such worldly matters and Estate as has pleased God to
bless me with in this life.
        I give, dispose and bequeath in the following manner. I give and bequeath
unto my daughter Rachael, after she shall have paid my just debts and the
legacies hereinafter named, all my property, real and personal, to her and
heirs forever.
The legacy are as follows –

to my daughter Sophia two hundred dollars deducting thereout eighty
dollars, a just debt which I have against the estate of her late husband,
Doctor Benjamin Steven;

to my daughter Nancy, children viz Henry, Jeremiah, Nancy, Joseph and
Elizabeth, one hundred and ninety dollars to be equally divided among them;
to Nancy the mother of them ten dollars for mourning apparel, the above
mentioned children of Nancy to receive their respective shares as they
shall arrive of age;

to my daughter Elizabeth two hundred dollars to be paid in two years after
my decease;

to my daughter Isabella ten dollars for mourning apparel and her children
viz Elisha and Elizabeth one hundred and ninety dollars to be equally
divided among them when they arrive of age;

to the children of my daughter Polly (who is deceased), viz David and
Elisha, two hundred dollars to be equally divided among them to be paid
four years after my descease.
        But should my daughter choose not to take my property, real and personal,
and pay the aforesaid legacies, then she shall signify it to my executors
within two years after my decease by giving them written notice thereof,
then in that case, my will is that my executors shall sell my property,
real and personal, and out of the proceeds satisfy all my just debts and
pay the above legacies and pay the overplus or residue to my daughter
Rachel and in that case I do hereby authorize my executors to make a good
and sufficient title to the purchaser of purchasers. If my daughter Rachel
should take my property, real and personal, and should die without a will
or without heirs then the property of which should so be possessed by
virtue of this will to disceed to her sister's children.
        And lastly, I do nominate, constitute and appoint as my executors, James
Allen and Matthew Gilchrist to do and perform the thing here in mentioned.
And I do hereby revoke all of my former wills and testaments, legacies and
bequests, and declare that this and no other to be my last will and
testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the
18th day of April 1815.
                        Elisha Peairs
        Signed, sealed published, pronounced and declared by the said testor as
his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request have
subscribed our name as witnesses;
                        John M. Austin
                        James Allen
                        James Craig
                        Joseph Allison
                        Nancy Stevens
        The 28th day of May Anno Domini 1816 - Before me, the subscriber register
for the probate of wills and granting letters of administration in and for
said county personally came John M Austin, James Allen, Joseph Allison and
Nancy Stevens, four of the signing witnesses to foregoing last will and say
their solemn oaths did declare that they saw the testor sign and seal the
same as for his last will and testament when of right mind, and that no
undue influence had been used or later will made by him to their knowledge
or belief. And that they severally signed the same as witness thereto in
the presence of the testor. In testimony I have hereto set my hand and seal
of said office the same day.
        Alexander McClean, Register, Registered and compared the 28th May 1816
        Fayette County, Pennsylvania Will Book #1-167
        Franklin Township, Vol 2 536 Apr 18, 1815, Probate