Introduction

There were 3 John Roberts from one family. Firstly there was John Roberts (1716 -1797) who was born in Wales and settled in Bucks County. His 3 sons, Edward (1742 - 1823), John (1746 - 1836), and William (1755 - 1841) all moved to Charlestown township around 1810. William had 2 sons Joseph Roberts (1786 - 1857) and John Roberts (1796 - 1863).

WILLIAM ROBERTS, SCHUYLKILL (Fuller) (1755 - 1841)
December 17, 1828/Proved May 4, 1841
Wife – Rebecca; Daughters – Sarah and Maria Conard, Martha Matlack and Rebecca Roberts Sons – Joseph and John

Village Record:

Apr 27, 1841 West Chester, Pennsylvania Chester VILLAGE RECORD
Death Notice Departed this life, on the 8th inst, at his
residence in Schuylkill township, Chester county, William
Roberts, in the 86th year of his age. The deceased survived
two Brothers, residents of this County, namely Edward who died
1824 in his 82nd and John who died 1836 in his 90th year. He
has now living in Bucks county, three widowed sisters of the
following ages respectively, - Jane is in her 88th, Mary in
her 93rd and Ann in her 97 year.

Will extract
If son Joseph will convey to my son John land which he purchased of John Davis, I give part of my plantation, bounding Benjamin Funk, John Rapp, Henry Place, Edward Anderson (dec’d), Frederick Rapp, Philip Rapp and Jacob Wersler

Executors – sons John and Joseph
Witnesses – Moses Robinson, Job Eldridge, Daniel Showalter
Daniel Showalter deceased at time of probate Will #10103/WB 18 Page 38¹

Will of William Roberts.

Be it remembered that I William Roberts of Schuylkill township in Chester County and State of Pennsylvania (Fuller) being in perfect health of body and of sound mind memory and understanding but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do make and publish this my last will and testament in the following manner.

First it is my desire and I do order that all my just debts and funeral expenses be fully paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently may be after my decease by my Executors.

2ndly I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Rebecca one third part of my estate or what the laws of Pennsylvania will give her but if she marries again then she should forfeit one half.

3rdly I give and bequeath to my four daughters namely Sarah and Maria Conard and Martha Matlack each or their heirs five hundred dollars and to my daughter Rebecca Roberts seven hundred dollars to be paid equally by my two sons Joseph and John Roberts in yearly payments of five hundred and fifty dollars yearly to commence one year after my decease.

4thly I give and devise to my sons aforesaid all the residue of my estate real and personal the personal property to be appraised and equally divided between them. If my son Joseph will convey to my son John in fee simple the property which he purchased of John Davis then I give and devise to my son Joseph his heirs and assigns part of my plantation beginning at a limestone corner of Benjamin Funks land ? thence in a direct line to a corner on the lower side of the head race of the fulling mill made by a late survey of part of my premises thence north eighteen degrees thirty minutes east twenty six perches to an elm tree a corner of my land and John Rapps thence along said Rapps land and mine to a corner in a public road in a line of Henry Places land and along said road by land of said Places and Edward Anderson deceased to a corner of Frederick Rapp’s land and by land of said Frederick and Philip Rapp and Jacob Wersler along a public road to a line to be made by a survey of fifteen acres of land on the south west side of my premises and parallel with the upper line of my plantation adjoining Jacob Akers land and along the line of intended survey parallel with my upper line aforesaid to the line of Benjamin Funks land and by the same to the beginning. Together with the appurtunances thereto belonging ?

[after this the writing becomes undecipherable].

? of my son Joseph will not ... of John Davis aforsaid ... and I do order that my son John may have two thirds of my real estate and Joseph the rest to be divided by three or five judicious neighbors by them mutually chosen to hold the same to them their heirs and assigns for ever.

5th I give and devise to my son John the residue of my plantation if my son Joseph will convey as aforesaid together with the waters above excepted and priveledge to ? cleanse and repair the race and dam by doing the least possible injury to the premises through which they pass for the use of my son John his heirs and assigns for ever.

And in the case of the death of either of my children unmarried or without issue then I do order that the share of such child or children so ? may be divided equally among my surviving daughters or their heirs.

And lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my two sons Joseph and John Roberts to be the executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills legacies and bequests by me heretofore made and declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of the twelfth month in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight. Witnesses; Moses Robinson, Job Eldridge, Daniel Showalter

Dated 12/17/1828