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Year* Decedent
1792 John McDonald Will Book 1, p. 063, No. 25
1828 Catherine McDonald Will Book 3, p. 269, No. 142**
1831 John McDonald Will Book 3, p. 497, No. 255**
1832 James McDonald Will Book 4, p. 42, No. 26**
1838 Tanzinger McDonald Will Book 5, p. 33, No. 26** [also found as Zanzinger]
1842 Sarah McDonald Will Book 5, p. 299, No. 239**
1842 Robert McDonnal Will Book 5, p. 320, No. 258** of Elizabeth Twp
1846 Hugh McDonald Will Book B, page 397, of Butler County
1849 Alexander McDonald Will Book 6, p. 545, No. 385
1853 John McDonald Will Book 7, p. 467
1857 Isabella McDonald No.190 Vol. 100, Page 349
1878 Alexander McDonald No. 270, Vol. 20, Page 481
1888 John McDonald No. 36, Will Book 34, page 60
* Year recorded. May differ from year written.
** from Abstracts of Allegheny Co, Pa. Will Books, Vols. 1-5, Helen L. Harriss
" In the name of God Amen I John McDonald of Petars Township county
of Washington ... do make and ordain this my last will and Testament, viz,
... Secondly, I will and bequeath all that plantation that I now live on
to my son Thomas McDonald together will all my farmer utentials; Yet, Nevertheless,
I reserve & save to my beloved wife Johannah McDonald the thirds of
the Rents and mean profits of the above plantation during her life together
with all my movable estate to be disposed after her death as she thinks
proper. Thirdly, I will and bequeath to my eldest daughter Rachel Noy [Uoy?]
5 pounds to be paid in produce at Market price, one year after my decease,
likewise, I will and bequeath Katrinia Noie 10 pound in produce as aforesaid,
to be paid when she arrives at the years of 18. Fourthly, I will and bequeath
to my daughter Ann Wallace 5 pound to be paid in produce as aforesaid 2
years after my death. fifthly, I will and bequeath to my daughter Hannah
Custard 5 pounds to be paid in produce as afores- 3 years after my death.
Last, for all I do make & appoint Henry Hulee and Thomas McDonald Executors
of this ... Witness whereof I have this 13th day of feburary 1787, set my
hand and seal ... "
Jno McDonald [signed]
[witnesses] John Douglas, Joseph Halee
Recorded 3 Dec 1792
written 15 Feb 1827
probated 26 Jul 1828
Son: John C. McDonald, of city of Washington, first clerk in office of
Sec. of the Senate of U.S.
Dau: Jane davis
Exs: Dau., Jane Davis and Hugh Davis, Esq.
Witnesses: M. B. Lowrie, John Wallace
1831
written 14 May 1831
probated 23 May 1831
Wife: Isabella
Child: Tantzinger and Martha McDonald
Bequests to: Isabella mcDonald Jennings, daughter of Re. Obidah Jennings;
Eliza Howard; Treasurer of American Bible Society State of NY
Executors: Joseph Patterson [see deeds], Stephen Colwell
witnesses: Henry Baldwin, Joseph Patterson
1832
written 16 Apr 1832
probated 4 Dec 1832
Wife: Catherine
Executors: Wife, Catherine McDonald, benjamin Bakewell and Walter Lowrie,
Esq.
Witnesses: M. B. Lowrie, James McBean
written 21 May 1838
probated 3 Sep 1838
Sister: Martha Smith, formerly Martha McDonald
Aunt: Sarah J. Monroe, sister of dec'd mother
Cousin: John McDonald Crossan
Bro-in-law: Charles G. Smith
Executors: Bro-in-law Charles g. Smith, George A. Bayard, William Robinson,
Jr.
Witnesses: G. A. Cook, Sidney Strong
Codicil: 13 June 1838
Witnesses: Robert Dunlap, Henry Smith
Codicil: 12 June 1838
Refers to: Dr. A. Nell McDonald (aka McDowell)
Nephew: charles Smith, son of sister, Martha
Witnesses: robert Dunlap, Henry Smith
Rev. Joseph Dunlap appeared as a witness
written: 23 Feb 1842
probated: 8 Mar 1842
Dau-in-law: Elizabeth Hambler and her child.
Executors: none given
Witnesses: George Marchall, Mary Parker
(copy filed in Allegheny County)
wr. 19 Aug1846
probated 7 May 1907
[a typewritten copy]
Cranberry, August the 19th 1846
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN: I Hugh McDonald, being of sound mind, memory and
judgement, but owing to my advanced age and weakness of body, do make and
ordain the following as my last will and testament.
1st. I will and bequeath that all my just debts ...I allow and empower my
executor to sell as much land of my farm as will pay all jsut debts.
2nd. I will and bequeath unto my wife Martha Mcdonald all my real and person
estate during her natural life, that is a life estate in all the rents,
issues, and profits of my farm and other property no needed for the payment
of my debts ...| And thirdly, I will, bequeaeth unto my four daughters rachel
Macdonald, Polly Macdonald, Peggy Jean Macdonald and Julian Macdonald all
my property belonging to me or that did belong to me at teh decese of my
and my wife Martha, that is at the decease of whichever of us lives longest,
to be equally divided among my four daughters above named whether real or
personal, they are to be sharers alike of all left at our decese, and if
any of my daughters should gt married after our decease, they can get their
share divided off and if the heris cant agree abouth dividing they are to
choose four men and submit all matters to them and their judgement is to
be final on the matter and if any of them shoud die without issue, then
their share is to descend to their surviing sisters.
And lastly, I constitute and appoint Samuel Marshall of Cranberry township,
Butler County, executor fo this my last will and testament, hereby revoking
all former wills by me made.
[signed] Hugh McDonald
witnesses: J. W. Garvin, James Jordan
Butler County SS
Before me ... Register for the probate of wills ... came J.W. Garvin and
James Jordan ... they were present at the house of the late testator Hugh
McDonnel on the 19th day of August AD 1846 and saw and heard the said Hugh
Mcdonnal sign, publish ... [etc].
Sworn... 20th day of Oct AD 1846
Wm. Ralph, Register.
Be it remembered that ont he 20th day of Oct 1846 that letters testamentary were duly issed ot Samuel Marshall Esq. the executor named ... [etc].
Will Book 6, p. 545, No. 385
"In the name of God, Amen. I, Alexander McDonald of the Township of
Pine & County of Allegheny being now old and stricken in years ... I
will and Devise[?] to my beloved wife Sarah McDonald all my personal property
of every kind ...I further give and devise to my said wife the full use
of my real estate in Pine township & where she & I now lives During
her natyral life - and at her decease to be given to my then surviving children
hereinafter named & the Representatives of such as may be then or now
dead provided they appear & make good there Relationship as an Daughter
or grandchildren of mine within two years after my wife's Death but not
afterwards say my son John McDonald my son Alexander McDonald [Robt?
Mc--- scrathced out] Mary McDonald intermarried with William Kenedy my Daughter
Jenny McDonald intermarried with William McCutcheon Martha McDonald intermarried
with William Black Isabella McDonald intermarried with Robert Dunlap Sarah
McDonald intermarried with Hugh Edmonson Nancy McDonald intermarried with
David Deer Presilla McDonald intermarried with Joseph Williamson My daughter
Rachel McDonald intermarried with Thomas Steely - all of the above named
children of mine or incase of their death as some of them is dead then there
children in their place by applying in the time above specified to be share
and share alike but not before - and lastly I appoint my two friends James
Grammy and Thomas McCaw to be my sole executors ... this 20th day of June
AD 1844."
Alexander McDonald [signed]
witnesses: Thomas Gibson, James Grammy, Catharine Soder, James Sample
Probated 20 September 1849
Recorded 25 Sep 1849
[in the margin: "One of the executors being dead and the other declining
to serve letters of administratoin were granted for which see Book L. page
613"]
Orphan's Court docket Vol. 11
"No. 52, March T. 1854
In the matter of the Estate of Alexander McDonald late of Pine Township,
deceased.
March 29th, 1854
Supplemental petition, Depositions and Decree of the Orphans Court, relative to prooof of the heirship of certain decisas[?] etc. under the last will and testament of Alexander McDonald deceased.
To the Honorable ... the petition of William McCutcheon, Alexander McCutcheon,
Sarah L. McCutcheon, and John McCutcheon, all of Indiana township in the
County aforesaid [Allegheny County].
Humbly showeth, That they respectfully pray ... to be allowed to join in
...the petition of Thomas Gibson Exqr. ... They further represent that Jenny
McDonald intermarried with one of your petitioners, the said William McCutcheon,
was one of the children and devisees and named in the last will ... of the
said Alexander McDonald deceased; That the said Jenny is now deceased, and
that the said William McCutcheon was the husband of the said Jenny, and
that the said Alexander, Sarah L.and John are those of the children of the
said Jenny and William, that they are of Lawful age, and that all of your
said petitioners reside in the said county of Allegheny. ... [etc]
[signed] Sarah Langdon (formerly McCutcheon), William McCutchen, John McCutcheon,
Alexander McCutcheon.
[deposition of David McClelland]
"David McClelland, of the city of Allegheny, ... sworn in open Orphans
court ... the 29th day of March AD 1854, doth depose & say that he was
well acquainted with the testator Alexander McDonald late of Pine township
and with his wife Sarah ... Sarah died on the 30th day of March AD 1852
... Sarah McCutcheon now intermarried with George Langdon ..."
[signed] David McClelland
[court agrees to proof of relationship]
[petition of Thomas Gibson, of Pine Twp.]
"That Alexander McDonald ... died ... September AD 1849 ... [executors
name in will ] ... having renounced and refused to act ... [lettersof administration
were granted to petitioner] ...
[repeats Alexander's time restrictions for proof of relationship] ... And
your petitioner further represents that at the time of the said decease
of the said Sarah McDonald, widow of the said testator, the said Rachel
McDonald intermarried with Thomas Stealy, the said Martha McDonald intermarried
with William Black, and the said Nancy McDonald intermarried with David
Deer, children and devisees of the said testator, were then still surviving
and in full life, and residing in the said County of Allegheny; That the
said Rachel and the said Martha are still living and residing in the said
county; that the said Nancy has since died, to wit in or about the 16 day
of February AD 1853, leaving a husband, to wit the said David Deer, and
two or more children, namely John Deer and Sarah J. Deer intermarried with
Philip Seple, all of whom still survive and are residing in the county aforesaid.
... [petitoner states that he now owns title to all the real estate of the
above named children of Alexander and appears to be reminding the court
that the two years time limit had expired]
[response to petition of Thomas Gibson]
"And now to wit March 27 AD 1854 at an Orphans Court, held at the City
of Pittsburgh ... and it appearing by satisfactory evidence ot the Court
that Sarah McDonald, the widow of Alexander McDonald ... died on teh 30th
day of March AD 1852 ... [repetition of above relationships and acceptance
of proof of the same].
"The petition of Windle Hickey and Sarah Anne Hickey his wife, Benedict
Kennedy, Alexander Kennedy, Isabell Kennedy, children and heirs at law of
Mary Kennedy formerly Mary McDonald now deceased. Isabell Dunlap wife of
Robert Dunlap and daughter of Alexander McDonald. Grizelle Williamson, daughter
of Priscilla Williamson and grand daughter of Alexander McDonald repectfully
represents and prays your Honourable Court to be permitted to become parties
to the petition of Thomas Gibson Exqr. presented and filed in this case.
They further represent that at the time of the death of Alexander McDonald.
The existence and whreabouts and relationship of your petitioners were well
known to the testator Alexander McDonald. that he knew at the time of the
date of his will as also at the time of his death of all of his children
and grandchildren except his son Alexander, of whom he had not heard for
some years previous to his death. Nor have your petitioners any knowledge
of him since the death of the said Alexander McDonald. John McDonald was
killed at the battle of Lundy's Lane and left no children.Your petitioners
therefore pray your Honourable Court ot permit them to appear and establish
their relationship to the said testator and that an entry thereof be made
on the records of your Honourable Court. nume pro tune[?] as of the 27th
day of March AD 1854. the day on which the petition to which this is a supplement
was filed.
[signed] Windle Hickey, Sarah Ann Hickey, Grisella Williamson, Alexander
Kennedy & Benedict Kennedy by Jas. B. Sawyer their Attorney, Isabell
Dunlap by his Atty. Jas. B. Sawyer, Isabell Kennedy by her Atty. J. B. Sawyer.
Personally appeard before me David McClelland who on his oath duly administered
doth depose and say I knew Alexander McDonald ... I know Sarah Anne Hickey,
she is the eldest daughter of William and Mary Kennedy. Mary Kennedy her
mother was the daughter of Alexander McDonald, she is now dead. There are
four of her children now living Mrs. Hickey, Benedict Kennedy, Alexander
Kennedy and Isabell Kennedy. saw Benedict at my house this winter, he is
living in Kentucky. Alexander I believe is living at Davenport Iowa. Isabell
is living with her sister Mrs. Hickey in Butler County in this state. William
Kennedy their father is dead. I also know Grizelle Williamson, she is the
daughter of Priscilla McDonald who was married to Joseph Williamson and
grand daughter of Alexander McDonald. her mother is dead, she was her only
child. I know Isabell Dunlap she is the daughter of Alexander McDonald and
married to Robert Dunlap who is yet living. Mrs. Isabell Dunlap and Mrs[?]
Williamson both lived in Allegheny County at the time of the death of Alexander
Mcdonald. Mrs. Sarah Anne Hickey and her sister Isabell lived either in
Allegheny or Butler County at the time of Alexander McDonalds death their
residence was known to him at the time of his death. At the time of his
death he knew that his son John had been killed in the battle of Lundy's
Lane. He did not know whether his son Alexander was dead or alive. He had
not heard of him for many years before his death. I have known[?] Sarah
Edmondson another daughter of Alexander McDonald who is still living has
been crazy for some years.
[signed] David McClelland
Sworn and subscribed before me April 5, 1854.
written: 1 Apr 1842
probated: 9 Jun 1842
Wife: Nancy M.
Sons: Alexander and James
Refers to: "all my children"
Executors: robert Hindman, Alexander T. Shields
Witnesses: Mathew Shields, Alexander T. Shields.
Administrators Acct. of Alex. Shields and Robert Hindman, Executors of
the Estate of Robert McDonnel dec'd. June 17th, 1844.
[among a long list of dusbursements:]
paid Dr. George W. Flemming medical attendance
paid Dr. Elder Recorder for recording deeds
paid Dr. M. H. Clark medical attendance
paid William Caldweel stipend to R. H. Church
Amount of Furniture taken by the widow of dec'd $245.67
Amount of cash advanced to widow as per rcpt[?] $15.84
[next page]
Amount vend[?] from Nancy McDonnel, widow $48.12
23 June T. 1847
Estate R. McDonald for Citation [OC 6]
"To the Honorable ... The prayer of your petitioner, Nancy McDonald,
...the said Robert McDonald o felizabeth Township ... died testate leaving
a will, duly signed sealed and witnessed on the 1st day of April AD 1842,
... That the aforesaid Testator Robert Mcdonald died owning and possessiong
at the time of his decease personal and real property of great value. ...
Your petitioner repectfully represents that there are great and material[?]
errors in the said [administraton] accounts, which ought to be revised and
corrected, and which errors she sets forth and assigns as follows ... [long
list of corrections, such as: 'that the widow nancy McDonald took furniture
to the amount of $243.69 altogether wrong, she never having received more
than 30 or 40 dollars worth'] ... Lastly, that the sale of 75 acres of the
Testators land by the aforesaid executor was wrong, illegal, and unjust
and did great injury to this petitioner.
Your petitioner is interested[?] the full account and estate being widow
and relict of teh aforesaid Testator and remaining unmarried, and is by
such errors greatly injured - In consequence of your petitioner having anumber
of small children to rear, and in consequence of not knowing what her rights
actually were, & having given up all her personal property to the executor
for the purpose of serving[?] the sale of the land, she was ----[?] unable
to take legal advice[?], and being totally unacquainted with business, has
this long been delayed, excepting to this account, and therefor it is that
untill the present time, your petitioner was not aware of the existence
of said errors and did not except thereto... [etc]"
Nancy McDonald [her mark]
12 day of August 1851
Will Bk. 7, p. 467, No.328
written: 19 Apr. 1853
probated 21 Oct 1853
Names: Wife- Elizabeth McDonald
Children - Jacob McDonald
Robert McDonald
Hannah McDonald
Elizabeth McDonald
Executor: son Robert McDonald
Witnesses: Samuel G. Brown, Hans B. Hutchinson
from abstraction by K.T.H. McFarland, PA Archives vol 10, pub. by Closson
Press.
No.190 Vol. 100, Page 349
written 17 Feb 1857
probated 4 Mar 1860
recorded in Allegheny County 17 Jul 1909
This is the last Will and testament of Isabella McDonald, widow of teh
late John McDonald formerly of the city of Pittsburgh but of the Borough
of York in the state of Pennsylvania at this time.
I appoint Rober. S. Casset and Brandy H. Wilkins of the city of Pittsburg
the Executors of this my last will and testament, or the survivor of them,
in case either shall die before me.
I devise and bequeath all my estate real and personal to my said Executors;
and I empower them to sell and convey my real estate, whenever they sall
think proper, for such price as to them shall seem fit.
I further empower my Executors to make the investment, which are hereinafter
directed, in such securities as they shall think proper, and to charge the
saem from time to time.
I further empower them to make the said investments in real estate, and
the same to sell from time to time, according to their discretion.
I give and bequeath unto my niece Mary C. Gardner, widow of Dr. Joseph Gardner,
my wearing apparel and personal ornaments, and all my furniture excepting
such articles as Martha Smith wife of Charles G. Smith of Pitssburg, may
wish to take and the said Mary Gardner may be willing to part with and to
the said Martha Smith I give and bequeath my large bed chair. I direct my
said Executors to invest the sum of eleven thousand dollars (#11000) for
the separate use fo the said Martha Smith in such manner as they may deem
proper, and to pay the interest or income thereof semiannually, to the said
Martha during her life, for her separate use, free from any control of her
said husband, or of his creditors the said interest or income to be paid
to the said Martha personally or on her written orders, which orders, however,
are not to be given before the period at which the said semi-annual payments
become due. In case of tetheh decease the said Martha during the life of
her husband, I direct said sum and any aneeus of interest thereon to be
paid to such person or persons as she may by any wiriting in the nature
of a will appoint, and in default of such appointment, I direct the same
to be paid to her children, and the issue, if any, of such as may be dead,
such issue to stand in the place of his or her parent. In case of the decease
of the said Charles G. Smith, before the said Martha, I direct my said Executors
to pay to her the said principal sum, or to transfer to her the securities,
or other property in which it may be invested.
I further direct that my Executors, as soon after my decease as it can conveniently
be done, pay to my niece the aforesaid Mary Gardner the sum of sixteen thousand
dollars ($16000) or to transfer to her the securities, or other property
in which it may be invested, to that amount.|
In case the said Martha Smith or Mary Gardner, shall die before me leaving
children, I direct that the said sums hereinbefore bequeathed to them respectively,
shall be held by my said Executors in trust for their repective cildren,
to be paid to them, each his or her share thereof as they shall attain their
majority.
I direct my said Executors to pay to Robert Holmes of St. Louis, the sum
of one thousand dollars ($1000) as soon as it can conveniently be done after
my decease and in case he should die before me then the said sum on one
thousand dollars ($1000) shall be paid to his children.
I direct my said Executors to pay to my Sister in law Elizabeth D. W. Simpson
the sum of one thousand ($1000) dollars, as soon after my decease as it
can conveniently be done, and in case she should died before me, then it
shall be paid to her children.
I direct my Executors aforesaid to pay the following legacies, and if in
any case, the legatee should die before me, then the legacy, in that case,
shall be paid to the children of such legatee - to Isabella Hoffman, formerly
Isabella Simpson,no the wife of Captain or Major Hoffman of the U.S. Army
the sum of two thousand ($2000) - to Catharine wife of Robert S. Casset
one thousand dollars ($1000) - to Francis Herson D.D. one thousand dollars
($1000) -
I direct my said Executors to pay, as soon as it can conveniently be done
after my decease, to Mary Nesbit sister of my late husband the sum of one
thousand dollars ($1000) - and if she should die, before me, then I [page
folded over]...
... among the Sunday Schools of the Presbyterian churches of the City of
Pittsburg, in such manner as they shall think proper, I empower them to
pay the said sum to such persons as they shall think proper, for the use
of said schools.
I direct my said executors to pay the sum of five hundred dollars to the
Orphans Asylum in the Borough o fAlleghany, I direct my said executors to
pay two hundred and fifty dollars to the English Presbyterian Church in
the Borough of York, adn the like sum of two hundred fifty to the Sunday
school connected with said Presbyterina Church and further inasmuch as Mr.
Samuel S. Mall [Small?] and his wife Isabella requested that I should leave
them nothing by my will, but being determined to leave them something as
a token of my repsect and affection for them I hereby give and bequeath
unto the said Isabella all my silver ware, and other plate of whatever kind,
which I may have at the time of my death.
In case of the failure of any one of the aforesaid legacies to the Sunday
School, the Orphan's Asylum, or the York Presbyterian Church or the Sunday
School attached to it, from any casue whatsoever, I empower my said Executors,
at their discretion, to give an anmount equal to the the legacy or legacies,
which may fail to vest; for any charitable, or religious effect they may
think proper.
I direct my said Executors to divide all my estate, not hereinbefore disposed
of equally between the said Martha Smith and Mary Gardner, or in case of
the decease of either or both, of them before me, then among their respective
children the share of the said Martha Smith to be held and paid by my said
Executors in the manner hereinbefore directed in regard to the eleven thousand
dollars willed ot the said Martha Smith.
In case my estate should prove unsifficient to pay all the legacies before
stated, I direct that they shall abate prorata. I hereby revoke all former
wills which I may have made.
In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal, and publish and declare
the foregoing instrument written upon one and a half sheets of paper, to
be my last will and testament, this twenty fourth day of April in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty four.
[signed] Isabell McDonald
signed and declared by Isabella McDonald, as her last will and testament
in presence of us, who at her request, and in her presence have subscribed
our names thereto the day and year above written, as witnesses.
[witnesses] E. H. Weisner, William Smith
I, Isabella McDonald whose last will the above is do make this codicil
to be taken as part of my said will as follows: I revoke the legacy of one
thousand dollars above given to Elizabeth L. W. Simpson,she having died
since said bequest was made to her, and from the legacy of two thousand
dollars above given to Isabella Hoffman I take back one thousand dollars
so that she shall get one thousand dollars out of my estate instead of two
thousand dollars. The legacy of one thousadnd dollars above given to Mary
Nesbit I direct shall be increased five hundred dollars so that she shall
receive fifteen hundred dollars out of my estate. I give and bequeath unto
my brother-in-law Edward McDonald the sum of five hundred dollars, and to
John McDonald Smith son of Mrs. Martha Smith the sum of one thousand dollars
which I direct my executors to pay to them our of my estate. In witness
wereof I have to this codicial annexed to my said will set my hand and seal
this 17th day of February AD 1857.
[signed] Isabell McDonald
Signed by Isabell McDonald and declared by her to be a codicil to her
above will in our presence who at her request and in her presence and in
the presence of each other have signeed as witnesses on the 17 Febry AD
1857.
[signed] Wm. Smith, E. H. Weiser
I the above named Isabella McDonald do make this coedicil to be taken
as part of my above and foregoing will, as follows, I direct that none of
the collateral inheritance tax to which my estate shall be subject shall
be paid out of the bequests in said will made to Mary Gardner and Martha
Smith but said tax shall be apid prorata out of the legacies given to all
the other persons, societies, associations and institutions, And in case
my estate should prove insufficient to satisfy all the bequests in said
will made, I direct that all the other bequests excepting those to the said
Mrs. Gardner and Martha Smith shall abate proportionately, but the bequests
made to said Martha Smith and Mrs. Gardner shall in no case abate nor be
diminished either by the payment of collateral inderitance tax expenses
or debts, and I revoke the provision in my said will made that all the legacies
shall abate proportionately if my estate should not be sufficient to pay
all.
Witness my hand and seal this 12 day of June AD 1857 signed Isabella McDonald
and declared by her to be a codicial to her will in our presence ... etc.
[witnesses] Wm. Smith, E. H. Weiser
[signed] Isabell McDonald
Letters of Testamentary to Robert S. Casset & Brady H. Wilkins., 4 Mar 1860.
Commonwealth of Pa... Chester County
Register's Office: February 25th, 1903
I, David G. Byerly, Register for the Probate of Wills ... county of Chester
.... the last will and Testament and codicil of Isabella McDonald late of
the Borough of West Chester. deceased which was duly probated March 24th
1860 ... recorded in Will Book V. Vol. 21, Page 237.
Last Will and Testament of Alexander McDonald
No. 270, Vol. 20, Page 481
Filed 4 Jan 1878
State of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, SS.
Be it Known that on the 4th day of January AD 1878 before me, Joseph H.
Gray, Register of Wills, &c., in and for the County aforesaid, came
Martha Hamilton and J.W. McCreery the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing
last Will and Testsmanet of Alex. McDonald, deceased, and on their solemn
oath did depose and say they were present and did see and hear Alex. Mcdonald,
the testator therein named, sign, seal, pubish, and declare the same as
and for his last will and Testament, and at the time of so doing,he was
of sound disposing mind and membory, to the best of their knowledge and
belief, and at his request and in his presence, they subscribed their names
as witnesses thereto.
[signed] J. H. Gray
[difficult to read]
I, Alex McDonald of the Borough of Sewickley County of Allegheny ... being
of sound mind ...
And first, I direct that my body be buried...
Second ... Thanking God for his goodness, such wordly estate as it hath
pleased him to entrust me with I dispose of as follows viz:
1st: I direct that my debts ....
2nd: I direct that my executors hereafter named shall collect all monies
due me and shall sell the farm now owned by me in Sewickly Township County
of Allegheny, Pa., and this[?] lot of ground situate on the corner of Locust
St and Lincoln Avenue Sewickly Borough County & State aforesaid and
make good and sufficient conveyances. Therefor - the proceeds thereof I
divide as follows. after deducting theirfrom the amounts herein above provided
for I direct and bequeath[?] to Martha, John, Eugene and Blanche, the four
children of my nephew Alex McDonald son of John McDonald the[?] sum of Five
hundred dollars in all share and share alike. To be invested for them until
they arrive at full age and I hereby appont my beloved wife Ann McDonald
testamentary[?] Guardian for said children's estate with the right to disifuate[?]
her successor in said meet[?] in the event of her decease before the completion
of said trust. And in the event of the deaeth of any of siad children this
the same fund[?] to go to the surviors or survivor of them and in the event
of the deceas of all - the said fund to go to their father Alex. McDonald
Jr.
Lastly - I do give devise and bequeath all therul[?] residue and remainder
of my estate real person or mixed to my beloved wife Ann McDonald.
And I hereby appoint as executors of this my last will and testament my
beloved wife Ann McDonald and J. H. McCrury Attorney.
In witness whereof I Alexander Mcdonald the testator have to this my will
set my hand and seal this 27th day of November AD 1877.
A. McDonneld [signed]
witnesses: Martha Hamilton, J. H. McCreery.
Sworn Jan 4th 1878
[note at bottom of page: "J. H. McLerry renounces...[cut off]"
No. 36, Will Book 34, page 60
wirtten 5 Jan 1888
Probated 21 Sep 1888
Allegheny County
Be it known, that on the 21st day of September AD 1888, came before me,
Samuel P. Conner, Register of Wills &c. ... R. F. B. Miller MD and O.L.
Miller the subscribing witnesses to teh foregoing last will and Testament
of John McDonald ...
signed: Oliver L. Miller, R.F.B. Miller
Allegheny, January 5, 1888
Last will and testament of John McDonald.
I will and bequeath to my wife's daugher Carrie McDonald, wife of George
Dolbin, one of the two lots I own in Shaler Township, Allegheny County,
Pennsylvania.
All my other property, my money and possessions I will and I bequeath to
my wife Sarah Ann McDonald.
Witness my hand and seal this fifth day of January, 1888.
signed, John McDonald
witnesses: R.F.B.Miller M.D., O.L. Miller.