Below is the last will and testament of Joseph Britton, my g-g-g-g-g-grandfather. He served in the Revolutionary War, making him one of my "DAR qualifiers." I transcribed this from a copy of the original, however, I find that it does not agree with another transcription done several years ago. I believe that transcriber took a few liberties with wording, punctuation and spelling. I did not.
1830-11W Union Co. PA.
Joseph Britton Decd
Last Will & TestamentIn the name of God, amen. I Joseph Britton, of Chapman Township Union County and Common wealth of Pennsylvania being weak in body but of sound mind and of disposing memory Blessed be God for his mercies and calling to merit the mortality of this life do make and ordain this my last will and testament as follows: viz: After all my just debts is void I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Hanna Britton should she survive me the full use of all my Estate Rail and Personal together with the use of all the profits arising there from as long as she remains my widow But on her marriage or decease I allow my estate to go in full to my children to be divided in the following manner. I give and devise the full one half of my estate to my Daughter Polly intermarried to William Karvell and to her heirs and I allow the lot adjoining Jacob Burch, John Keely and other land where she now lives on to be the one half of my rail estate and to go to her share and the lot adjoining Jacob Ream Abraham Witmers and other land where I live on now the other half of my rail Estate and to go to my dauther Anna intermarried to Benjamin Burris and to her heirs and lastly I nominate constitute and appoint Daniel Pannebacker to be the Executor of this my will hereby revoke all other wills legacies and bequeaths by me heretofor made and declaring this and no other to be my last will and Testament. In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eight day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight-hundred and twenty nine.
his mark
X
Joseph BrittonSigned Sealed Published pronounced and declared by the Testator as his last will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request have subscribed as witnesses Jacob Bertch and Daniel Dougherty,
![]()
I have also transcribed his Inventory from a typed document found in the files at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I have not examined the document or a copy of it in it's original form. This may not be accurate since I believe it to be transcribed by the researcher who transcribed the will above and took a few liberties!
Inventory #54A true and perfect Inventory of all and Singular the Goods and Chattels Rights and Credits which were of Joseph Britton of Chapman Twp., Union Co., Deceased, taken and appraised on the eleventh day of October 1830
Taken & appraised by us the 11th day of October, 1830
Cornercubert and all what is therein 13.00 Stove and Pipe, Clock and kase 21.50 One Table 5 Chairs and 3 Beds and Bedsteads 22.50 to 3 Swine, 2 Cows, 1 heffer 30.75 Buckwheat and Corn by the Bushel 8.80 Windmill Dung hook Dung fork and hay fork 8.00 Rye in the straw and hay by the bunch (?) 33.00 to 8 Notes of Jacob Bearch $25. each due the first of March, 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837, 1838 200.00 wool wheal & Sundries 11.87 to 9 Bushel potatoes at 31 cents P.B. (Per bushel?) 2.79 Iron pots, kitchen dresser, han saw and sundries 7.24 Hander, looking glass, spining wheel and old chest 4.31 Grubinghoe welbarro and Tub 6.20 369.46 Jacob Bertch Daniel Dougherty Union Co. ss: On the 19th day of October, 1830 came before me a Justice of the Peace for said County Jacob Bertch & Daniel Dougherty being duly affirmed saith the above is a perfect Inventory & considerable appraisement of the goods & chattels of Joseph Britton Decd as far as came to their knowledge. Joseph Stillwell
![]()
return to Linda's family history
![]()