Last Will & Testament of Thomas Nelson (1802-1875)

Register of Wills, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania No. 50, Vol. 20, Pg. 84

(Handwritten)

The last will and testament of Thomas Nelson of Richland Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. First, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind and memory, blessed by almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and annulling all other wills made by me in manner and form following, that is to say:

First, I direct that my body be decently interred with my rank and station in life and proper tombstone erected to my memory.

Second, I direct that all my debts, funeral expenses to be first paid out of all and any money that I die in possession (?) of.

Third, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Pemelia (sic Permelia/Pamelia) Nelson, if she survives me, all my real and personal property, all money or sums of money that I now have or may in any way die in possession (?) of. Also all stock, farming utensils, household furniture, etc. (?), including my  entire effects at the time of my decease, first paying my just debts, funeral expenses as directed  above to have and to hold the same in for simple during her natural life, free of all encumbrance.

Fourthly and further, I will and bequeath to my six children, namely my son John Nelson, my daughter Susan intermarried with Solomon Dodds, my daughter Tabitha Jane intermarried to Joseph Lee, my daughter Mary intermarried with Richard Peirce (sic Pearce, Jr.), my daughter Permelia intermarried with Charles Peirce, (our great-grandparents) and my daughter Margaret intermarried with Harvey Brooks, all my property both real and personal or otherwise at the decease of my beloved wife Pemelia Nelson, excepting two hundred dollars which I will and bequeath to my two grandsons, namely Thomas S. Dodds and Nelson Pearce son of Richard Peirce one dollars(s) each, and if said grandsons have not arrived at the age of twenty-one hen my executors to deposit said sum in the bank at interest till they arrive at the age of twenty-one, and the balance to be distributed to my six children or their heirs equally, share and share alike to have and to hold the same for ever.

Fifthly, and I further order and direct my executors after the decease of my wife to make, sale (sic sell) and convey all my real estate  and personal property that may then be at as early a date as best advantage possible disbursing the proceeds as heretofore directs to my six children and two grandchildren or their lawful heirs as then may be living, first having paid my wife’s funeral and all other expenses and the cost of tombstones and having them erected to her memory.

Sixthly, and I further direct that should any of my heirs or legatees be disposed for making or causing any dispute or controversy to arise in regard to this my last will and testament, then I direct they be entirely debarred and such person or persons causing the same shall received no part or portion of my property or bequeathed in this my last will and testament and their share or shares to be equally divided with the other heirs and ask my executors to carry out the same.

And lastly, I do nominate and appoint my friends Samuel G. Brown, Andrews Thompson, and Peter ___ to be the executors of this my last will and testament. In Testimony, whereof I, the said Thomas Nelson, do subscribe my name and and offer my seal to this my last will and testament written on three pages of paper given under my hand and seal this second day of June, One- Thousand Eight-Hundred and Seventy-One.

Signed, sealed, and acknowledged in presence of
H.B. Crummy
William Hutchman

(signed) Thomas Nelson

(sworn) February 26, 1877

(notes) Andrew Thompson & Peter ____ renounced letters granted April 2_, 1877

Notify Mr. Saml. G. Brown, Tally Cavy, to Ally. Co., PA when will is probated.

Official Probate Record

State of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County

Be it known that on the Twenty-sixth day of February A.D. 1877, before me, Joseph H. Gray, Register of Wills & c., in and for the County aforesaid, came W. B. Crummy and William Hutchman, the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of Thomas Nelson, deceased, and on their solemn oath did depose and say they were present and did see and hear Thomas Nelson, the testator herein named, sign, seal, publish, and declare the same as  and for this last will and testament and at the time of so doing, he was of sound mind & memory to the best of their knowledge and belief, and at his request and in his presence they inscribed their names as witnesses thereto.

Given under my hand, this 26th day of February, A.D. 1877

(signed) Jos. H. Gray, Register

Now, Feby. Twenty-sixth, A.D. 1877, the testimony of the above-named witnesses being sufficient, I do hereby admit the foregoing will to probate, and order the same to be recorded as such. Given under my hand the above date

(signed) Jos. H. Gray, register

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Time limit is exhausted. Please reload the CAPTCHA.