The Will of John Wood Sr.
John Wood Sr. was born circa 1734 - 1740 and died on 30 January 1799 in Derry Township Mifflin Co. PA. He left a detailed will outlining the disposition of his estate. At the end of the will are some additional notes from probate, etc. Note that John spelled his name both "WOOD" and "WOODS" in this document.
I have tried to recreate the exact spelling, punctuation (or lack thereof) and capitalization. (Please forgive me and send me a note if I incorrectly interpreted the handwriting as I am not an old handwriting expert.)
While John died in PA, some of his children had already moved west and resided in Clermont County Ohio at the time of his death.
Text of the Will (click to see handwritten original)
In the name of God Amen I John Woods of Derry township and in the County of Mifflin being infirm in body but of perfect memory and Judgment I Do Make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in the form and manner following that is to say I Give and recommend my Soul to God that Gave it and my body I recommend to the Earth to be Decently Intered in a Christian manner at the Discretion of my Executors and as to Such Worldly Estate as it hath pleased God to bless me With I Will and bequeath in the form and manner following that is that my land and property be sold and and after the Discharge of all my lawful Debts and funeral Charges I Will that my Whole Estate be Divided into three Equal parts and that my four Sons is to have two parts that is to Joseph Woods and John Woods and Jeriah Woods and David Woods Each to have an Equal part and they are to keep their Mother and give her a sufficent maintainance While she lives. She is likewise to have her bed and cloths and aney part of household furniture she chuses for her use the other third part of my estate I Will to be divided into six parts which I Will and bequeth to my Daughters and two Grand Children that is to my Daughters Cathrine and Jean and Elizabeth and Marther and Mary and to my Daughter anar's two children that is her son John and her daughter Jean. my Daughter Mary is to have ten pounds more to her part then her other sisters the other five parts to be Equal that is to Cathrin Jean Elizabeth and Marthon and the two Children above Named is to have one part Equally Divided between them to be given them, when of age or at the Discretion of my Executors likewise I Will and bequeath to my Daughter Anar one Silver Doler and lastly I appoint my son John Woods and Elisha Manan Whom I likewise constitute make and ordain the sole Executors of my last Will and Testament and I do hereby uterly disallow revoke and dusanul all and every other former Testaments Wills or legacys and bequeaths to and Executors in aney wise before named wills and bequeaths rectified confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament in witness Whereof I have herunto set my hand and seal this tenth day of March in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety six and twenty first of Americas independence sined sealed and prounounces by and declared by the said John Woods to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed names
(signed)
John Wood
(also a seal here)
Caleb Parshall
Adam Sigler
In the 1790 Census Northumberland Co. PA: John Wood Sr. 1 male 16 & up, 4 females.
Will was dated 10 Mar 1796:
John Wood Sr. died 30 Jan 1799
Book 1, p. 70. Probated Derry Township 8 Mar 1799. (File #5023)
Inventory 21/26 Mar/Apr 1799 (File # 5423)
Purchasers at sale: Isaac Manning, Elisha Manning, Nathan McPherson.
