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New: 29 Nov 2005

WILL OF
William Ferguson
Wysox, Bradford Co, PA
30 January 1826

Reprinted from
Tri-Counties Genealogy & History by Joyce M. Tice
Submitted by: Tammy Setterquist

The following is a translation of William Ferguson's Will (typed as written): January 30, 1826

Stephen Ferguson - Executor of William Ferguson

"In the name of God Amen. Now Know ye, that I, William Ferguson of the Township of Wysox, County of Bradford, and State of Pennsylvania being in a low state of health and desirous of making this Instrument as my last will and testament.
      1st It is my desire and Will at my death to have expensed out of my effects a sufficient compensation to give my Body a decent Burial committing my Soul to God--
      2ndly It is my desire that my landed property should be kept together for the comfort and support of my Kind and well respected Wife Patience -- and considering a duty Incumbent on me do Will that She have a decent and good support from the Holmestead lot of farm called the middle lot during her natural life and the bay mare for her riding Beast and one cow.
      3rdly--To my children have set apart for each of them, and do Will and Bequeath unto them as follows--

    1st To Stephen Ferguson one hundred dollars,
    2ndly -- To my Daughter Ruth Em, wife of Isaac J. Horton fifty dollars
    3rdly -- To my Daughter Jemimah wife of Jesse R. Drake Sixty dollars
    4thly -- To my Daughter Elizabeth Wife of Elijah Horton, Jr. Sixty Dollars
    5thly -- To Benjamin Ferguson my Son Sixty Dollars and the five above named children to have their portion paid to them as soon after my death as it will be conveint (convenient?) to settle of all my Lawfull debts which I am now oweing and including the amt due the State for the Land and not till then, if it should not exceed five years, and then, to be paid in property at the apraisal of men.
    6thly -- To my Son William the Middle Lot to Include the Homestead Subject to my wife's thirds(?) as my desire is that he Should remain with his mother. and also Subject to the payment of one hundred dollars toward Heirs Portion
    7th -- to Arnold my Son, the Lower lot of land adjoining L.(?) S. Horton and the parts when he shall become of age. Subject to his paying two hundred dollars towards, heirs Portion.
    8thly --To my Son Curtis the North East Lot of Land adjoining Stephen Ferguson and the Drakes when he shall become of age, and subject to his paying forty dollars toward the heirs portion ---

It is my desire that my three sons William Arnold and Curtis Should Remain with their Mother in the full occupancy of the Holmestead untill they become of age and that all my movable property shall be considered by them to be applied to the dischargeing and payment of Debt, due from use and that William, Arnold and Curtis shall be considered equal in proportion in paying and securing the title of the three lots Subject to the council and direction of my Son, Stephen to pay all lawful debts as before mentioned as well as physicians for attending to me in sickness. That the Sheep is to be considered to belong to my affectionate Wife for use and for clothing the family.

As a Kind and affectionate Family it is my desire that they keep together all the balance of Property after paying the Debts for the comfort and at the direction of my wife Hereby Will authorise and appoint Stephen Ferguson my First Son to be the Lawfull Executor of this my last Will and Testament and to direct and order all things concerning my Estate accordingly and hoping that this my last Will and Testament will be considered effective and binding upon all my beloved children that no disturbance nor bad feelings should arise among them after I Shall be dead and gone. Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30th day of January 1826 Making void all former Wills and Memorandums concerning my affairs and Estate --

In the presence of Harry Morgan William Ferguson
Probate received and letter testamentary granted to Stephen Ferguson of Bradford County Executor of the foregoing Will this first day of April A. D. 1826. He having been duly sworn well and truly to administer said estate exhibit a true Inventory and render a just account of his (?) administration according to law given under the seal of the Register's office this 1st day of April Anno Domini 1826."

By: Debi Krych, Southlake, TX

[Format changed by Footprints]


Note: William Ferguson was born 1762 in England, d. 10 Feb 1826 in the town of Black, of the Township of Wysox, County of Bradford, and State of Pennsylvania.

Submitted by Kenneth K. Medulan Oct 94
(of English Descent) came to America to fight for the colonists in Rev. War possibly served from Connecticut, as a Fife Major. In 1791, moved to Bradford county, PA, and had a number of children.   Lived near Black, Penn. in Sheshequin Township.   He was mentioned in the Tioga taxables of 1796.   Also, he had a store account from 28 Mar 1792 to 26 Sep 1807.   Charges: were Whisky, kettle, shot, 6 flints, power, tea, calico, salt, knife, pair sleeve buttons, pepper, allspice, cream jug, cambric, thread and sundries, credit by cow and note.

Burial: Black or Patterson Cemetery,
Occupation: Farmer


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