Came across this will and thought someone might get some good from it. I found it and copied it from the Clearfield Co. Court house. Some words are missing because I couldn't center the book in the copier. The handwriting is very beautiful. Dolores Stanley

NOTE: The bracketed [ ] words were completed by Colleen Pustola, webmistress of the Bower Family Homestead and coordinator of the Bower discussion list. Well-versed in probate records, Colleen attempted to make the reading more cohesive for those who do not possess the knowledge and experience of these early records. The bracketed words are not necessarily those in the will as I do not have a copy of the original. If someone has a copy of the will in its entirety, please email me.

 

William W. Bowers

In the name of God, Amen. I William W. Bowers of Gaskill Township, County of Jefferson, and State of Pennsylvania, being in good health and sound [in mind] and memory, do make and declare my will and testament in manner towit:- that is to say, I order that my just debts, funeral expenses, and ch___ing this my will, be in the first place paid and fully satisfied, and [after pay]ment thereof, I give and bequeath to my son GEORGE C. BOWERS, al[l the] farm on which I now live, located in the Township of Gaskill, County of Jefferson, and State of Pennsylvania: bounded and described as follows, to-wit by lands of George Winebark: on the South by lands of Samuel T._____: East by lands of Samuel Green, Jackson Heverling, Eli Bowers, Jac _____, Henry Bowers: and on the West by lands of Jacob Zimmerman and containing two hundred and twenty three

acres. Reserving the coal an[d] ..........

I also give and bequeath to my said son George C. Bowers [all per]sonal property that I may own at the time of my death, except the goods contained in the house in which we now live, and other items mentioned.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Mrs. Martha W. Gibson the s[um of] Thousand Dollars ($1000.00)

I give and bequeath to my daughter Mrs. Minnie E. Means, One Thousand dollars ($1000.00)

I give and bequeath to my daughter Mrs. Annie C. Murray, One Thousand Dollars (1000.00)

I give and bequeath to Miss Alice M. Bowers the sum of [twelve] Hundred Dollars (1200.00)

And I order and direct that my son George C. Bower above bequests, In consideration of my having willed him th ___ that he makes all of said payments within two years from the ti[me] [of my death].

I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Mrs. Minerva C. Bowers [possession] And control of the following property, to wit:- the house in which [we now reside], All the household goods contained therein, one horse and one cow, set apart for her use and control as long as she remains my widow. [In the] event of her of her remarriage, the above mentioned property shall be [divid]ed between my five children, share and share alike, except the house [which shall] become the property of my son George C. Bowers Absolutely. And [if she should] remarry then in that event she shall be permitted to dispose of all ..........

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The rest was cut off by the copier. Hope this little bit will help someone.

Submitted by: Dolores Stanley

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