Samuel Keepers (Group 10) Will
Dated 25th September, 1829
(Transcribed from a copy of the
original.)
Samuel
declared his intent regarding his estate on Friday evening, September 25, 1829,
to two neighbors.
Item
A:
Mrs.
Mary Keepers, Connellsville
Fayette
County S.S.
You are hereby required to show cause why
the nonaepative will of Samuel Keepers signified by a declaration made by him
in the presence of two witnesses on the twenty-fifth day Instant, shall not be
proved & pass the seal of the Register.
This cause must be made known on or before the ninth day of October next
ensuing. At the same time you will
inform the Register whether you desire to Administer the Goods and Chattels
yourself or otherwise nominate such person as you would desire to do it. In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my
hand and seal of the Registers Office the Twenty-ninth day of September, 1829.
Alexander McClean
Register
N.B.
The deceased has nominated Robert Long to be an Executor of his will; if he
accepts thereof, it will save you the trouble.
Item
B:
I
do Certify that I have no desire to Administer on the Estate of my Husband
Samuel Keepers Deceast estate, but it is my desire that Robert Long be
Continued to be an Executor agreeable
to my Husband’s will. Witness my hand,
Mary
Keepers signed by mark.
Witness
present: Joseph Keepers
Item
C:
James
Franciss, Esquire,
You are hereby Deputed to take the
disposition of John Fuller and Alexander Johnston relative the nonaepative will
of Samuel Keepers. I have wrote the mode
of proof on the will. It must be done
after the ninth day of October next, in Compliance with the law. I leave a blank for the date which you will
please to fill up. Witness my hand
& seal of Registers Office, 27th September, 1829.
I am respectfully your humble serv.,
Alexander McClean, Register.
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Item
D:
To
all whom it may concern. Witnesseth
that we the undersigners, As neighbors visiting Samuel Keepers on friday
evening, the 25th Instant, found him in possession of his reason
& of sound mind & disposing memory & he requesting one of us (viz.,
John Fuller) to write his will as he felt confident he would die very soon and
for want of time and conveniences requested him to relate his will and it
should be attended to by committing it to writing. And he stated his will to be as follows, that my son John, being
an Illigitimate child, shall have that portion of my Estate, both personal and
real, which the laws of Pennsylvania would entitle him to, providing he was my
legitimate son. I also desire that all
monies Due me may be collected, and that all my just debts be paid, and if
possible, to pay the balance yet due on my house property so that my wife and
my dear son may have something to live upon.
(further) I desire that Robert Long be the Executor of this my last will
and Testament. In witness whereof, we
set our hands and seals this 26th day of September, 1829.
[signed] John Fuller, Alexander Johnston
Item
E:
The fourteenth day of October, Anno Domini,
1829. Before James Franciss, Deputy
Register Pro Tem for this purpose, personally appeared John Fuller and
Alexander Johnston, and after being duly qualified, did respectfully declare
that Samuel Keepers, in their presence, when in his last illness, in his usual
place of abode, did express the words set forth in the foregoing writing (or
words purporting the same) as and for his last will and Testament; that he was
at the time, of doing the same, of disposing mind; that no undue influence had
been used that might tend to thwart his inclination, or any other or later will
made by said deceased to their knowledge or belief. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at
Connellsville the same day.
[signed]
James Franciss
Memorandum. The witnesses not having adverted to the law
in such cases, came forward to prove the will before the limited time, and,
living at a distance, I deputed James Franciss to take the proof at the proper
season at the Return of which “viz” the 21st day of October, 1829,
Letters ( cum testamento Anneno) were granted to Robert Boyd. Inventory to be exhibited and settlement
made as usual.
[signed] Alexander McClean, Register
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