Will of John Thompson

In the name of God Amen. The eight day of May A.D. one thousand seven hundred and eighty six, I John Thompson of Hamilton Township in Franklin County and State of Pennsylvania being very old and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory Thanks be given to God: therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to dye do make and ordain this my last will and testament and principally first of all I Recommend my soul to God that gave it and my body to the Earth to be buried in a Christian like decent manner at the discretion of my Executors not doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the Mighty Power of God and as touching such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and bequeath in the following manner: Imprimus I allow all my just debts and funeral cost to be fully paid and discharged. Item: I will and bequeath all my estate real and personal unto my Beloved Sons-John and William to be divided in the manner herein named (as William has obtained a Right for a piece of land in Westmoreland County which I allow to be valued together with my own lands and equal division to be made betwixt my said sons John & William but in case William will not comply herewith I allow and order my own estate to be valued and as much as the one half value of said Williams land in Westmoreland be given to Sd. John More than said one half of my estate (which said money is to be taken from Williams share out of my estate) and said John & William is to be equal in paying what debt is due on my estate whereon I now dwell: And as to a certain legacy from Sarah Chestnuts Executors to me I allow two thirds share of to my son John and one third thereof to my son William. I allow seven pounds per year to be paid unto my son John by my son William enduring my natural life towards my maintenance and said John is not to give in any further charge on the estate on account of my boarding or any thing on my account. And I do hereby nominate appoint and ordain my said sons John and William Executors of this my last will and testament as well as heirs of my said estate in the manner before described to them their heirs and assigns forever and I do hereby revoke and disannul all and every former executors wills legacies bequeath by me named, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament on the day and year first above written.

......his
John X Thompson (seal)
......mark

Signed Sealed Published pronounced and declared by the Said John Thompson to be his last will in presence of
Matthw Scott
Margaret Scott
Robt. Scott

Franklin Co SS. On the 9th day of March 1791 Matthew Scott and Robert Scott two of the witnesses to the within Writing appeared before me the Subscriber [symbol?] and on their solemn Oaths deposeth and saith that they were personally present & saw and heard John Thompson aforesaid make his mark unto and seal and publish the foregoing writing as and for his last will and Testament and that at the time of the doing thereof he the said John was of Sound and disposing mind memory & understanding according to the best of their knowledge & belief that their names, signed thereto as witnesses is of their own hand writing done at the same time. And that they did also see Margaret Scott the other witness sign her name thereto at the same time.

Sworn and subscribed this 9th day of March 1791 before Edw Crawford, Register
Matthw Scott
Robt. Scott

A true copy taken from and compared with the original remaining in the Registers office at Chambersburg. Edw Crawford, Register

Both executors sworn to file Inventory in one month and settle in one year or when required According to Law.

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And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
(Micah 6:8)