Wills: Tunis Wells, 1809: Washington Twp, Fayette Co Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Dave Wells. DaveWells@mac.com USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file within 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 sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ____________________________________________________________ WILL of TUNIS WELLS - Fayette Co Register of Wills; Vol 1, pg 92 written 19 June 1809 and recorded 11 Dec 1809; Uniontown, PA; transcribed by Dave Wells (DaveWells@mac.com) In the name of God Almighty I, Tunis Wells of Washington Township, Fayette County, State of Pennsylvania being frail in body but of sound understanding considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make and publish this my last will and Testament in manner and form following to wit: first it is my will and I do order that all my just debts and funeral expences be duly paid as soon as can be after my decease. Item, I give and bequeath to my dear wife Margaret one hundred acres of land including the Mansion house where I now live the orchard and a sufficient quantity of timber and one horse - her first choice of my stock for and during the term of her Natural Life or widowhood (she maintaining and educating my minor children therewith) which said legacies to my said wife I do hereby declare to be in lieu and stead of her dower at Common Law. Item, I give and devise to my Son, John seventy six acres of land as it now stands surveyed to him adjoining lands of James Laughlin, Michael Flood's heirs, and James Patterson, and further I do hereby enjoin and empower my Executor herein after named to make and Execute a sufficient title in fee simple, clear of all incumbrances as to my said Son John of the aforesaid seventy six acres, to him his heirs and assigns forever, ageeable to all article of Agreement between me and my said Son John now in his possession. Item, I give and devise to my Son James fifty acres of land including the Cabbin adjoining James Patterson's land. I also give and bequeath to my Son James the mare which he has in possession and the cow which he now clames. Item, my two Sons Richard and William and my Daughter Sarah, being already provided for, I give and bequeath to each of them or his or her legal representative the sum of one Dollar each. Item, I give and bequeath to my Daughter Nancy the sum of forty Dollars in cash in two years after my decease. Likewise a horse worth forty Dollars, a good feather Bed and Bedding & a good cow within one year. Item, I give and bequeath to my Daughter Polly intermarried with Isaac Downs a horse creature worth forty Dollars. Item, I give and bequeath to my Daughter Rachel one horse creature worth forty Dollars. Item, I give and bequeath to my Daughter Betsy one good feather Bed and Bedding and a good cow at her marriage or within two years after my decease. Item, I give and devise to my to Sons Joseph and Jennings the above mentioned one hundred acres of land bequeathed to my wife to be equally divided between them at her decease or marriage. Item, to my Daughters Margaret Rebecca & Charlotte I give and bequeath to each a good feather Bed & Bedding and one cow when they arrive at the age of eighteen years. Item, the residue of my estate I consign to my Dear wife Margaret in trust for my minor children & for her &their support and maintenance after deducting the necessary Expences of settling my said Estate. And further this is my will and I do order that if any of my minor children should die before they arrive at full age and without Issue if as on his share of my estate shall be equally divided among my other Sons, and if a Daughter her share shall be equally divided among my other Daughters. And Lastly, I nominate, constitute and appoint Henry Bateman Goe and James Patterson of this Township to be the executors of this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all other wills, legacies and bequests by me heretofore made and declaring this and no other to be my last will and Testament. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal this Nineteenth day of June. In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nine. his Tunis X Wells mark Signed Sealed pronounced and declared by the said Testator as his last will & Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request have subscribed as witnesses. Hugh Stewart Samuel Sampson Joseph Lyon Fayette County The 11th day of December Anno Domini 1809. Before me the subscriber Register for the Probate of wills and granting Letters of Administration in and for said County personally came Hugh Stewart & Joseph Lyon two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Tunis Wells and on their solemn oath did unite in declaring that they saw and heard the Testator acknowledge the same as & for his last will and Testament where of good Understanding - that they knew of no unlawful means used to thwart his inclinations or any later will made by him. Given under my hand and seal of Office the same day. Alexander McClean Register Recorded and Compared 11 Dec 1809