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BUTLER COUNTY - Wills and Estates
1818 Colin McDonald A-082
1836 Isabella McDonald B-052 Slippery Rock Twp
1844 Daniel McDonald B-280
1846 Hugh McDonald B-397
1859 Daniel McDonald C-561
1864 William McDonald D-256
1875 David McDonald F-136
1880 Mary Jane McDonnell G-400
1894 Stroder McDonald L-472
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Colin McDonald
wr. 22 Oct 1818
probated 31 Aug 1819
Knew ye that I Collen McDonald beng weak of body ... I bequeath to my son John two hundred acres the north East Part of the tract of Land I live on containing the improvement. Possession now[?] to cultivate at will during my life & forever. he giving support and aid to me and his mother as his condition admits & and formerly. I Bequeath to my son William the remaining[?] part of the tract south west two hundred acres more or less he to give me & his mother equal support with John after the time he settles on the land or causes the same but not before and as I know not that he is now living I order that if William does not return during my life, to put the said remaining part to state[?] & the price Equally divided amongst alll my children, I Bequeath to my Daughters viz to Floria one Dollar.. Jean one dollar to Nancy one dollar to Mary one Dollar to Elizabeth one Dollar to Catherine one Dollar to Isabella one Dollar. In testamony whereof I set my hand and seal presente this twenty second day of Oct AD one thousand eight hundred & Eighteen.
Colin McDonald [his mark "O" with vertical line tangent to
right side of circle]
[witnesses] William McLane, John Graham.
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Isabella McDonald
wr. 25 Oct 1836
filed 7 Feb 1837
This 25 day of October 1836, I Isabella McDonald of Slippery Tock Township, Butler County ... I will and bequeath to my son John my Cow, and the young Mare adn yearling Colt, and one sheep. I will and bequeath to my son Alexander one sheep and Chaff beds adn bedding. I likewise bequeath to my son John My Bed and bedding and Chist. I will and bequeath to my Dughter Polly my beaureare and all my clothing and the Kitchen and Household furniture and hackles, course and fine. I likewise bequeath to my son John one yearling heffer, the grain in the ground and the Barn to the common support of the family. I will adn bequeath to my Daughters Polly my old Mare and my son John is to have the use of her for her keeping and lastly as to all the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, goods adn chattles, of what kind and nature seoever I give and bequeath to my son John whom I hereby appoint my sole Executor to this my last will and testament, hereby revoking ... this 25th day of October ... 1836.
Isabella McDonald [her Mark "X"]
[witnesses] Robert Hogg, James Borland, John Stemmons
Appraisment , filed 7 Mar 1837 Amount $197.87
February 10th 1837, The appraisment of Isabella McDonalds property recorded.
[one page of sundry items]
appraisers: Robert Hogg, Thomas Mifflin
Vendue paper on the estate of Isabella McDonald Dec'd.
filed the 7 March 1837
A list of the good and chattles of Isabella McDonald Deceased sold by John McDonald Executor said will February 29th 1837. [list of goods and buyers. Buyers were: Charles Bavard, Trances haffle, Jacob Stillwaggon[?], John Stillwaggon[?], Zachariah Tulden, George Hogg, James Mcgill, John McDonald, William Mcgunken, Jemis Tinker, Robert Hogg, Abraham Gracend[?], John Mortland, Samuel Kelly, Robert Hockeberry, Thomas Mifflin, John Baily, James Boriard[?], Geroge Mceloy, "to 1 silver watch kept by self" - which implies the John McDonald mentioned above is not the same John McDonald, the son and executor of Isabella McDonald]
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Daniel McDonald
wr. 20 Jan 1844
recorded 3 Apr 1844
I Daniel McDonald being weak ... Do will and bequeath to Cathirine my
Beloved wife, a reaasonable sustainance by the produce of the farm and the
household furniture Beds & Bedding, two cows and six sheep.
I do will and bequeath to my two sons Campbell and David, my land to be
equally divided, and two horses and farming utentials, I will and bequeath
to my three Daughters Cinthia, Elinor, and Nancy, twenty dollars each to
be paid by said sons, when David has arrived to twenty two years age. I
do will, that if either of said sons die not having issue, the surviving
one shall have all the land.
In testimony whereof I do set my hand and seal this 20th day of January
1844.
[signed] Daniel McDonald
[witnesses] William McLane, Alexander Graham
I do appoint my wife Cathirene and Daniel Graham Esq. Executors of this
my last will and testament on the date above written. Witness my hand and
seal.
[signed] Daniel McDonald
[witnesses] William McLane, Alexander Graham
[re: these witnesses, see will of Colin McDonald, above]
Appraisment papers of the Estate of Dan'l McDonald $401.92
filed May 2d 1844
A true and perfect inventory of the goods and chattles rights and credits
of the estate of Daniel McDonald dec'd late of Connoquessing township Butler
County...
[long list of goods, including the following:]
David & Robert Boggs Esq. note bearing interest from the 1st day of
Jan'y AD 1841
David & Robert Boggs Esq. note bearing interest from the 1st day of
March AD 1841
Abraham Howess[?] note beaering interest form the 15th day of august AD
1541
William Hunters due[?] bill dated March 21st 1834
Norman McDonalds due bill dated April 18th 1834
We the subscribers appointed .... this 10th day of April AD 1844.
Alexander Gra---[?]
Samuel Offiams[?]
Vendue Paper. A Graham
filed May 10th 1867
List of Article sold at the late dwelling house of Daniel McDonald dec'd
East Connesquessing township Butler County
[long list of items sold and purchasers. Names of buyers: Phillip Weaber[?],
David McDonnold, Thomas Shantz, John Graham, William Gray, William Baggs,
Robert Dunkin, Jacob Cliffer, Andrew Boggs, Walter Scott, Samuel Boggs,
James McCollurn, Robert Flemming[?], Adam Gillebrand[?], Palmer Doctor,
Danie lMcDonnold]
List of Goods sold at Vendue November 16th 1844[?] at house of dan'l
Mcdonald ...
[names of buyers: John Boston, James Forgason, John graham, William Evans,
John Flacher, James Hammel, Hamilton Gillesrue[?], M McLoud, Esqr. Graham]
Executors Account
filed 14 day of June AD 1847
[long list of creditors]
[signed] Dan'l Graham
Catharine McDonald [her mark: a large "C"]
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Hugh McDonald,|
(copy filed in Allegheny County, Will Book B, page 397)
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, bequeath 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 the 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].
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Daniel McDonald
wr. 9 Feb 1859
probated 3 May 1859
I Daniel McDonal of Muddy Creek Township Butler County ... I further will and direct that my wife Catharine gits the $300 which the law allows her and also all my household and kitchen furniture grain on hand & wheat that is in the ground, seven sheep, three shotes[?] and seaphees[?], I futher will that the balance of money to reserved for my son Calvin to pe put on interest. I allow my wife Catherine three yeaaars of said interest for his maintenance under teh special direction of his Guardians if the interest is not sufficient. I direct that his Guardians use the principle which is to be under their control in cse of Calvins decease without issue the money if any left to be divided equally among my then living children. I do will direct and appooint Robt. Stuart of Portersville and my son Elam McDonal to be my son Calvins Guardians. I do appoint James Elliott of Lawrance County and my wife Catharine to be the executors of this my last willa nd testament. In testimony whereunto I have set my hand and seal this 9th day of February AD 1859.
Daniel McDonal [his mark " \ "]
[witnesses] John Lehman[?], Robert Burnside
[note in margin]
Catharine McDonald widow and Legatee of Daniel McDonald ... hereby gives
notice that she declines to take the specific articles bequeathed to her
in the last will and testament of decedant but claims the Three hundred
dollars under the Act of April 14th 1851. Witness my hand and seal May 3d
1859.
Catharine McDonald
Appointment List in the estate of Daniel McDonal dec'd $195.97
filed Jun 3d 1859
[list of property and that taken by widow]
[appraised May 1859 by Samuel Cleland, David Cleland and Samuel Hanna]
Final Accounty of James Elliott and Catharine Mcdonald ...
filed May 9th 1861
[creditors to estate: James Anderson, James Newton (funeral expenses), Samuel
Hanna (for coffin), Thomas Brown]
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William McDonald
wr. 26 Jan 1864
In the name of god amen I William Mcdonald of Lancaster township Butler county ... I give to my beloved wife Hannah Mcdonald all my household furniter beding cooking stove cook entencials and every thing oned by hur and me in my dweling house to have and to hold the same fer hiers and assigns forever and i further give and bequth to my beloved wife the use imporvement and income of my messuage and tract of tract of land in which my dweling house is situated of forty three acres situate in Lancaster township Butler County ... and I give and bequeath and after the decease of my beloved wife my will is that the above named messuage and tract of land herein described be sold and be divided among my son William Mcdonald and my two daughters Ann Shaner and Sarah[?] Shaner to share and share alike to be paid to them three years after the decease of my beloved wife ... lastly I appoint my esteemed friend James Morrisen to be the executor ... this 26th day of January ... 1864.
William Mcdonald [his mark - smeared, illegible]
[witnesses] William Ruby, William Frill[?]
Appraisment
[total of $61.62]
filed 20 May 1864.
[appraisers] Aaron Kelly[?], Daniel Mellisor[?]
Final account by James Morrison Esq. Executor of Wm McDonald late ...
[list of creditors]
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