Will of William Hunter (1764)

Will of William Hunter

In the name of God amen. The sixteenth day of the second month Anno Dom One thousand seven hundred and sixty four.  I William Hunter of the Township of Newtown in the county of Chester and the province of Pennsylvania, yeoman, being sick and weak in body, but of sound mind and memory, thanks be to God, and knowing the certainty of my death, and the uncertainty of the time when I do make and ordain this my last will and testament in maner and form as follows

Viz, First and principally I recommend my soul to God that gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a Christian-like, decent manner.

And as to such worldly estate where with it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give and devise and dispose of the same as follows

Item I give to my son Edward Hunter a certain tract of land ? belonging to me, situate in the aforesaid township of Newtown bounded by land of James Hunter and others, containing two hundred acres be it more or less, which I give to him, his heirs and assigns forever.  The said tract of land to be enjoyed by him when he arrives to the age of twenty one years, and my will is that he shall pay to my wife (his mother) the sum of ten pounds yearly during her natural life.

Moreover, my will is the tract of land belonging to me situate in the township of Easttown in the county aforesaid containing three hundred and sixty five acres, be it more or less shall be divided as followeth, viz, beginning at the great road ? north corner of ? which is opposite to land late belonging to George Worrow, and to land belonging to Morris Elliott, and from thence running with ? end of that field, to the field which hath been cleared by Thomas Richard, and from thence southerly with the fence of that field to the corner of the said field and from thence westerly with the fence of said field and extending to the line of John Steele.

Item I give to my son William Hunter all the southeasterly part of the aforesaid tract of land, by me ordered to be divided as above mentioned extending and including from the said division line to the southeast bounds of the tract be it more or less which I give to him, his heirs, and assigns forever.

Item I give to my son Albin Hunter all the northwesterly part of the aforesaid tract of land by me ordered to be divided as above mentioned extending and including from said division line to the northwest bounds of the whole tract be it more or less which I give to him his heirs and assigns forever.

Moreover my will is that my sons last above mentioned each of them enjoy his part of the land as above mentioned when he arrives at the age of twenty one years.

Moreover if any of my sons should die before he arrive to the age of twenty one years, my will is that his or part be equally divided between the survivors of my sons.

Item I give to my daughter Alice Hunter all the tract of land whereon I now dwell situate in Newtown aforesaid containing ninety four acres be it more or less which I give to her, her heirs and assigns forever

Moreover I give also to her a feather bed which is in the old room upstairs and its furniture, also my chest, high case and drawers, and also a new sidesaddle.

Item I give to my dearly beloved wife all the residue of my personal estate and also the profits of my land mentioned and willed to my sons until they arrive to the age of enjoying those of which I give to her for her own proper use, she paying all my just debts and bringing up my children.

Item I give to my niece, Ann Russell the sum of five pounds current money of the aforesaid province to be paid to her when she shall arrive at the age of eighteen years.

And I do make and ordain my dearly beloved wife only and sole executrix of this my last will and testament.

And I hereby revoke, make void and disannul all former wills legacies and testaments by me at any time made.

Ratifying and confirming this and no other as my last will and testament.

In witness I hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written

                        William Hunter

Witnesses: John Steel, George Garrett, David Thomas, Isaac Massey, Evan Evans, Peter Steel.