WILL: Andrew COLLINS, 1859, Southampton Township, Bedford County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Michael S. Caldwell

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/bedford/
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Bedford County, Pennsylvania Will Book 4, p. 239-240

WILL OF ANDREW COLLINS

The last will and testament of Andrew Collins of Southampton Township, Bedford 
County, State of Penna. I Andrew Collins considering the uncertainty of this 
mortal life, and being of Sound mind and memory blessed be Almighty God for the 
same do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form 
following, that is to say, 1st I will that all my just debts as shall be by me 
owing at my death together with my funeral expenses and all charges touching the 
proving of or otherwise concerning this my last will shall in the first place 
out of my estate and effects be fully paid and satisfied. 2d I will and bequeath 
to my beloved wife Eliza Collins all my effects both personal and real property 
except the last tract of land I purchased from the Executors of A. Kerns decd., 
she to have and to hold the same during her natural lifetime. 3d I will that my 
three oldest sons James, Isaiah and John take the tract of land excepted or last 
purchased from the Executors of A. Kerns deceased and finish paying for the same 
and to have the same to their own use and I also give them all I have paid on 
said land and to take immediate possession of said land after my death. 4th And 
my will is that after the death of my wife Eliza all my property that may remain 
shall be equally divided among my children share and share alike to my son James 
one share to my daughter Sarah one share to my daughter Martha one share to son 
Isaiah one share, to my son John one share, to my son Elijah one share and it is 
my will further that the above named children shall choose three men when my 
property is to be divided for to divide for them, and their decision shall be 
final and conclusive and if any one or more of my children shall be dissatisfied 
and commence a lawsuit as concerning the dividing of my estate he or she shall 
forfeit their whole share in my estate but if my children agree among themselves 
to divide my effects they will have no need of choosing the men but if they 
don't agree among themselves then my will is for them to choose three men to 
divide for them as aforementioned. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my 
hand and seal this 2d day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and fifty nine.

Andrew "his X mark" Collins

Signed, Sealed, published and declared by the
above named Andrew Collins to be his last
will and testament in the presence of us who
at his bequest and in his presence have
subscribed our names as witnesses thereto
George W. Buxton, Elijah Shiply, David Walter

Bedford County SS.

Personally appeared before the Register for the Probate of wills &c., for said 
county George W. Buxton, Elijah Shiply & David Walter Subscribing witnesses to 
the foregoing instrument of writing, who being sworn according to law do depose 
& say that they were present & saw the testator Andrew Collins sign the same by 
making his mark & heard him pronounce and declare said instrument of writing to 
be his last will & testament, that he desired them to sign their names as 
witnesses thereto and at the time of so doing he the said Testator was of sound 
mind, memory & understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief,

George W. Buxton
Elijah Shiply
David Walter

Sworn & Subscribed the 23rd day of
July 1859 Before me, Saml. H. Tate Regr.