Wills: Matthew McDOWELL, 1799: Franklin Twp, Westmoreland Co, PA
  
  Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Gail Itschner 
    gail@planetplaypottery.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.
  
  Copy of Will of Matthew McDOWELL, Deceased
  
  Will recorded in 1799, letters administered 1803 to Jane McDowell, Admx.
  
  In the name of God Amen.  I Mathew McDowell of Westmoreland County, Franklin
  Township being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memeory
  thanks be given unto God, calling to mind the mortality of the body and
  knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain
  this my last will and testament, that is to say principally and first of all
  I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and
  my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian order at
  the descretion of my friends nothing doubting but at general Resurrection I
  shall receive same again by the mighty power of God, and as touching the
  worldly estate with which it has pleased God to bless me in this life I
  give, demise and dispose in the following manner and form:   First I give
  and bequeath my dearly beloved wife this land which we now live on with the
  household furniture, goods, and movables of every kind, desiring her to pay
  what debts the estate is in and give my daughter Polly one heifer which she
  is to have at her demand and my son David McDowell is to have and hold the
  land which he now lives on and there is another tract of 400 acres adjoining
  this of David's on which Robert and Matthew McDowell, my sons, is to build a
  house suitable for the comfortable living of my wife "Gain" McDowell and
  these boys above mentioned is to assist generally in raising the younger
  children and when Robert comes of age he is to get the half of this land, an
  equal share of the good as well as the bad land that may be there, Matthew
  is to get the other part of the land at his coming of age, I mean 21, and
  the old lady is to make what industry she can to settle these boys on this
  land and she is to have the children at her disposal, that is those under
  age, and it is my desire that my son John should go to some trade this fall
  and the children whose names followeth is to get one dollar apiece, towit:
  John, Mathew, James, Allen, Cathran Agnes and Joseph McDowell, and I do
  herby utterly disallow, revoke and disannul all and every other former
  testament, wills, legacies, bequest by me in any wise before named will and
  bequeathed, ratified and confirming this and no other to be my last will and
  testament.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this
  13th day of May in the year of our Lord 1799.
       Mathue McDowell (L. S.)

  N.B.  The boys is to all 'their one industry' to use all endeavors to
  produce a living for their Mother during her widowhood and even if she
  should marry it is my desire that she should take care and do as well as
  circumsstances will admit by the children under her care.