Wills: McCurdy, James Sr., Indiana Co Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Michael S. Caldwell. msc@juno.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 sites. We encourage links to the state and                county table of contents. ____________________________________________________________ The Last will and testament of James McCurdy Sr. of the township of Wheatfield in the County of Indiana and State of Pennsylvania - (Indiana Co. Willbook 1, p. 617) I James McCurdy Sr. considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following (That is to say) First I give and bequeath unto my third son Archibald one hundred and thirty acres of land consisting of the improved part of the tract upon which I now live together with a sufficiency of the unimproved land to make up the said one hundred and thirty acres.  Item I give and bequeath unto my fourth and youngest son Isaac fifteen acres of unimproved land adjoining thirty acres of land now belonging to my said son Archibald which he the said Archibald has agreed to convey unto the said Isaac in exchange for thirty acres which I do hereby will unto the said Archibald being part of the afore mentioned one hundred and thirty acres the said one hundred and forty five acres to be taken off the south west part of my whole tract containing two hundred and ninety acres and allowance the remaining one hundred and forty five acres it is my will that it be sold and the money equally divided among the remainder of my children to wit Isabella Sarah James and Polly, Hannah, John and Jane Martin and likewise I give and bequeath unto the children of my son George now deceased, the sum of twenty dollars being five dollars to each of them to be paid by my said son Archibald at my death.  And out of my personal property it is my will that my three sons viz James, Isaac and John receive one cow each.  And lastly as to all the rest residue and remainder of my personal estate goods and chattles of what kind and nature soever I give and bequeath the same to my son Archibald.  And it is likewise to be considered as my will that my said son Archibald shall be bound to keep and maintain my beloved wife Sarah in a suitable manner for and during her whole life and that the whole of the above property real and personal bequeathed unto the said Archibald be bound for her said maintenance and that she accept the same in lieu of any further dower from my said Estate.  And I hereby make and ordain my said son Archibald and Robert Given Esq. Executors of this my last Will and testament.  And lastly my express will and meaning is and I do hereby and appoint that if any difference dispute or controversy shall arise or happen concerning any gift or bequest in this my will given and bequeathed express or contained that then no suit or suits in law or equity or otherwise shall be brought commenced or prosecuted for and concerning the same but the same shall be referred wholly to the award order and determination of my friends Andrew Brown and George W. Hice both of the township of Wheatfield in the County of Indiana and what they shall order direct and determine therein shall be binding and conclusive to all and every person or persons therein concerned.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal ____ day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven. James McCurdy Sr. {Seal} Signed sealed published and declared by the above named James McCurdy Sr. to be his last Will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses thereunto. W. Barnwill Saml. McKeehen Aaron Norris Indiana County SS:  Be it remembered that on the fifteenth day of October A.D. 1847 Before me J.M. Watt Register for the probate of Wills and granting letters of Administration in and for said County was proved and approved the foregoing as and for the last will and testament of James McCurdy Sr. late of Wheatfield township said County deceased by the oath of Aaron Norris one of the subscribing witnesses and John B. Martin as to the signature of W. Barnwell & Saml. McKeehan the other witnesses whose names are thereto subscribed and the said Saml McKeehen & W. Barnwell having moved out of the State - Same day Letters testamentary issued to Archibald McCurdy and Robert Given the Executors therein named who being duly Sworn. J.M. Watt