Will of William Dunwoodies
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN: I, William Dunwoodies of West Nantmill township
& County of Chester, being weak and inform of Body, yet through divine
goodness of perfect mind and memory, and calling to mind the mortality
of the Body, knowing that it is appointed once for all men to die, do make
and ordain this my last Will and Testament, that is to say,- First I recommend
my soul to God who gave it, and my body to the Earth, to be decently buryed
at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but I shall receive
the same again at the resurrection of the Just, by the mighty power of
God: And as to the worldly substance with which God has blessed me, I will
it to be given in the following manner: IMPRIMUS, I give and bequeath
to my loving Wife Janet Dunwoodies, the sum of Two Hundred Pounds for her
proper use forever, together with the annual sum of six Pounds from each
of my two sons if she sees cause to call for it, during her natural Life.
Also the Priviledge without Interuption of the two rooms below stairs next
to the road, with two of the best Beds and Beding or Furniture, with one
Chest of drawers and half dozen chairs, with the young mare and a good
Cow, to be well kept, free of cost by the son that this House I now live
in it falls to (the use of the House and latter things mentioned to be
hers only during her Widowhood)-ITEM, I bequeath to my eldest son Andrew
Dunwoodies, the bey Horse we have used as leader in the Team. ITEM I bequeath
to my son James Dunwoodies, the mare I bought from Thos. Bull. ITEM, I
bequeath to my loving Brother James Dunwoodies, the sum of Twenty, Provided
he stands in need thereof. ITEM, I bequeath to my loving sister Martha
Graham, the sum of Twenty Pounds and if she be dead, My will is, that the
aforesaid Twenty Pounds be equally divided between her Children and the
Children of Agnus McCoulough my deceased sister. ITEM, My will is that
my plantation be equally divided between my two sons Andrew and James aforesaid
both Quanitity and Quality considered, also all the remaining parts of
my personal Estate, not before Bequeathed, my will is that it be also equally
divided between the aforesaid Andrew and James, all to be theirs their
Heirs and Assigns forever. I will also and appoint my loving wife Janet
Dunwoodies to be Executrix and my two sons Andrew and James aforesaid to
be Executors of this my last Will and Testament, Cancelling & disannulling
all former Wills by me made, Ratifying and Confirming this and no other
to be my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and Seall this seventh day of April Anno 1773.
William Dunwoodies(Seal)
Signed, Sealed, declared and Pronounced in the Presence of
William Ierwin
James Anderson
Mos: Scott