Wills: SHIELDS Surname 1814-1822: Westmoreland Co, PA
Transcribed by: Sherry Norton for the USGW Archives
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Transcribed for the USGW Archives by Sherry Norton
SHIELDS, James, Westmoreland Co PA Will (#506)
Westmoreland Co PA Wills, Vol 1
LDS Films #1,316,409
Will Book #1, P 341, Will #506
In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fourteen 11th
of Febuary In the name of God Amen I James SHIELDS of the Borrough
of Greensburgh in the County of westmoreland being weake of boday
but of sound and disposing memory blessed be God for the same do
make this my last will and testament first I am (desierous?) that my
soul shall be (recevd?) by him that give it and that throu his
infinet pardon may be Granted for all my offences I desire also
that my body may buried in a decent and Christian like maner at the
discretion of my Executors hereafter named I further will that as
soon after my decese as shall be found Conveniant an inventory and
appriasment shall be made of all my personal property which shall be
sold by my Executors at public (vandu?) except as much as my wife
Elizabeth shall keep for her owne use and benefit which she is
allowed to do and for the proceds of such seal it is my will that
all my just debts and funeral expences shall be paid except the
ballance of the purchase money of a plantation bought by my self
from James BIGHAM on the forks of Yough in westmoreland County
adjoining Lands of the Reverand William WILEY and others which I
will and direct to be paid acording to our agreement out of such
sums of money as shall be (receved?) from the proceds of the seal of
two tracts of Land made by myself to the Rest
[Continued on next page--top line of page cut off when
photographed.]
...out of any moneys which shal be in the hands of my executers; as
to the disposing of my property I will and direct it shall be don in
the following manner first I allow my wife Elisabeth to keep at the
apprisment as before stated such part of the House hold + Kitchan
furniture or other personal property as she shal select for her owne
use and benefit absolutly I further will and bequeath to my said
wife Elizabeth that Plantation before mentioned situate in the forks
of yough with the appurtenances for and during her natural Life
during which term it shall be to her entire use and at her owne
disposal [inserted phrase: Mon - Nove 28] again I will and direct
that the rents which shall be received for my three houses and lots
in Greensburgh for the ensuing year shall be apropriated to the
payment of Robert BROWN or so much therof as shall be nessary I
further order and direct my Executers as (soo?) [sic] as the [sic]
shall be able to get a good and sufficiant price for my said three
Houses and lots in greensburgh with the appurtenances or either of
them to sell and convey the same to such person or persons as shall
purchase the same or any of them and to make a good and sufficiant
deed of Conveyance in fee simple but if a good and sufficiant price
cannot be had as aforesd I will and direct that they and each of
them be continued under lease from year to year for such sumes as
can be had for the same and that the procedes of the second year or
as muh [sic] as is nessacery be applied of what I am Indebted to
Henery (RETTALL? or BETTAL?) and the proceds of the third year or so
much as may be nessarey to be applyed to what I may be indebted to
Peter RAUGH but if the houses or any of them should be sold as
aforesaid then the proceds of such seal or sales to be applied to
the payment of the (said?) debts in the maner mentioned again when
the said houses shall be sold + the debts aforsaid shall be paid I
will and bequeath one hundred dollars to my Sister Rebecha CANNON
absolutly I further (devise?) unto my said sister Rebeceh CANNON +
to her heirs and assigns all my right title + intrest in and to 2
undivided moiety of a house and two Lots of Ground in New Alexandria
devised to her self and me by oure father further I authorise and
direct my Executers to sell and Convey by proper deeds or assurences
to any person or persons three Lots of Ground on the bank of the
Loyalhana opposite New Alexandria for the best price or prices
that they can get for the same further it is my will that after the
Sales before mentioned and made the Legacies paid as well as all
my debt I order and direct that all the money remaining be vested by
my Executers either in Bank Stock or sum other secure fund that a
Legesy of fifty dollars be paid to James Shields LEASURE son of John
LEASURE at the age of twenty one years if he should so Long Live
also a Legecey of one hundred dollars to be paid Joseph Joseph [sic]
WILEY son of the revrand William WILEY at the age of twenty one
years that the sum of ten dollars anualy be paid by my executers out
of the said funds to (Rehabeth?) during the natural life of my wife
Elisabeth that after the death of my said wife I order and direct
the sum of one hundred dollars to be paid by my Executers for (?)
the blessings of Gosple I further will and bequith to my said wife
for her owne use during her naturoral life all the Intrest + proceds
of what soever sum or sums of money may be invested in funds by my
Executers as aforsaid + at her death I allow and will that my said
wife shall have the disposal of three hundred dollars beyond what
personally she may then posses which shall be paid in the maner she
shall direct out of the proceds of the sale of the plantation on
Yough after her death; I further will that my Sisters Daughter
nancey shall Continue with my said wife during her natural life or
untill the said nancey shall marrey after the death of my said wife
I order and direct that the said plantation on Yough with the
appurtenances be sold by my Executors and that the residue of the
proceds after my will heath ben so fare complied with all
the rest remainder + residue of my estate real and personal or mixed
be divided equally between the Children of my said sister Rebeha
CANNON (?) Living + representatives provided that one hundred
dollars more than a childs part be paid to the aforesaid nancey
Nancey [sic] and further if the said Nancey shall marry before the
death of her aunt she shall be intitled to one half of of [sic] the
Intrest before bequeathed to my said wife and lastly I do hereby
Nominate Constitute and appoint Daniel LEASURE Robert BROWN + the
Revrant William WILEY the Executers of this my Last will and
testament herby giving to them or their survivor or survivors of
them full and ample authority to do and perform every act and thing
nessary to Carry my will and intention into Compleat effect.
Signed sealed published and declared in the presents of us who in
his presents who signed as witnesses + at his request
Signed: John REED
Signed: Robert FULTON
Signed: James SHIELDS (LS)
Codicle to my last Will of the 11th of Febuary (1814?) I leave and
bequeath to my sister Rebecah CANNON at the decese of my wife
Elisabeth over and above what I (?) bequeathed her the one third of
the remaining money then due as the right of said Estate the other
two thirds to the Children of my Sister Rebecah to be divided share
and share alike and Lastly I Leave and bequeath to Robert FULTON who
his lived with me three years (past?) as my prentice one brase and
all the bits to (sute?) the said brase also one Jointer (?) plain
one (Jack?) plain and one smothing plain and I ordain the above
Codicle to be a part of
[Continued on next page--top line of page cut off when
photographed.]
...this (16th?) day of March 1814 in presents of us who in his
presents and at his Request signed the same
Signed: Robert GRAHAM
Signed: William (HERWICK? or KERWICK?)
Signed: James SHIELDS (LS)
Westmoreland County Personally came before the subscribe Register
for the Probat of wills +c John REED and Robert FULTON witnesses to
the above will who being duly sworen depose and say that they saw
James SHIELDS since deceased sign seal publish and declear the above
as and for his his [sic] Last will and Testament who in his presents
and at his request + in the presents of each other signed their
names therto as witnesses same day personally came Robert GRAHAM +
William (HERWIK? or KERWIK) witnesses to the anexed codical who
being duly sworen say that the [sic] saw the said James SHIELDS sign
seal publish and declear the above Codicle as and for his own
volentry act and that the [sic] signed their names therto as
witnesses in his presents and at his request (ther?) (oaths?)
aforesaid say that at the time of executing the said will and
Codicle the said James SHIELDS was of sound + disposing mind and
memory sworen an subscribed before me 30th of march 1814
Signed: John REED
Signed: Robrt FULTON
Signed: Robert GRAHAM
Signed: William (HORWICK? or KORWICK?)
Signed: Jas. (MtGomery?) Regstr
Recorded March 30th 1814
23 June (1853?) Letters ad (C.I.A.D.B.?.?) granted to James CANNON
of the City of Phila.
Transcribed for the USGW Archives by Sherry Norton
SHIELDS, Robert, Westmoreland Co PA Will (#550)
Westmoreland Co PA Wills, Vol 1
LDS Films #1,316,409
Will Book #1, P 373, Will #550
In the name of God amen I Robert SHIELDS of Derry Township
westmoreland County and state of Pennsylvania being weake in body
but of sound and perfect mind + memory do make and publish this my
Last will and testament in maner and form following viz first of all
I commit my spirit to God who gave it and my Body also which I also
desire to be buried in a decent Christian manner hoping for a happy
Resurection at the day of Judgment. and as to what worldly god heath
endowed me with I dispose of in the maner following first I give and
bequeath to my son James SHIELDS and and [sic] my Daughter Rebecha
CANNON each an Equal share of all my personal and real Estate except
my Bed which I bequeath to my grand daughter Raichel CANNON to them
and their heirs forever and for the beter setling of my afiars I do
allow my personal property to be apprised or valued and sold and my
house and Lots in new (allexandria?) to be Sold or rented as they
shall (?) Cause so that each may have an Equal Share If my son
Robert SHIELDS Shall return and behave himself in a christian maner
I do allow him to have an Equal share with the others if they shall
see fit I do herby appoint James SHIELDS my son + James CANNON my
Son in law my Sole Executors of this my Last will and testament In
witness wherof I have herunto set my hand and seal the 24th day of
august in the year of oure Lord (1803?)
Signed + sealed in presents of us Robert BOYD Adam KERR
Signed: Robert SHIELDS (LS)
I Robert SHIELDS of the County of Westmoreland and State of
Pennsylvania do this tenth day of september 1803 do make and publish
this Codicle to my Last will and testament in maner following viz I
Give to my daughter Rebecha CANNON my mare exclusive of her equal
share of the rest of my property and it is my desire that this my
Codicol be annexed and made part of of [sic] my Last will and
testament In witness wherof I have set my hand my hand [sic] and
seal the day and year above written
Signed seled [sic] + deliverd in presents of Adam EWING Robert BOYD
Signed: Robert SHIELDS (LS)
Westmoreland County SS Personally came before me the Regster in and
for said County Adam KERR one of the witnesses to the within will
and on his Solem oath deposeth that that [sic] he was present and
saw the within named sign seal publish + pronounce the within
Instrument of writing to be his Last will and testament + at the
time of his so doing he was of sound dissposing mind and memory and
that the name of this deponant is in his owne proper hand writing
sworen + subscribed before me this 22nd day of November 1814
Signed: Adam KERR
Signed: James (MtGomery?) Regstr
[Continued on next page--top line of page cut off when
photographed.]
...appeared before me the (?) Register in and for said County John
KIRKPATRICK who on his solem oath deposeth and sayeth that he was
well aquanted with Adam EWING and has frequently seen him write his
name and the signature Adam EWING as one of the witnesses to the
within will is the proper handwriting of the aforesaid Adam EWING
and also this deponant believes said EWING is out of the
Jurisdiction of this court and also out of this state Sworn and
subscribed before me June 22nd 1815
Signed: John KIRKPATRICK
Signed: James (MtGomey?) Register
Transcribed for the USGW Archives by Sherry Norton
SHIELDS, Mathew, Westmoreland Co PA Will (#590)
Westmoreland Co PA Wills, Vol 1
LDS Films #1,316,409
Will Book #1, P 406, Will #590
In the Name of God Amen Calling to mind the mortalety of my Body +
being in perfect mind + memory but weake in (body?) do make this my
Last Will + Testament which is follows viz I give my soul to God who
gave it + my body to be buried in a Christian Like manner at the
descretion of my Executors herein after named + as to my woroldly
Estate God hath be pleased to Bless me with I dispose of it as
follows + first I allow all my Just Debts to be paid off + as to
what may remain I allow to be distributed as follows viz I Give +
bequiath my Gold watch to Mathew SHIELDS + I give + bequeath one
Gold Eagle to Elizabeth CRAIG (senr?) + I give + bequeath ten
Dollars to the Revrand Samuel PORTER + I also give + bequeath to
Roberts Son Jame my Saddle + Bridle + I also give + bequeath to
Sarah HILL (twinty?) Dollars + if there is any thing remains I allow
it to given to my Father + Mother + Nominate + appoint my
Brotherinlaw Robert SHIELDS + Hugh BIGHAM to be the Executors this
my Last will + Testament + Revolking all other wills hereto fore
made as witness my hand + seal December 31st 1816
Test: John SHIELDS Benjamin HILL
Signed: Mathew SHIELDS (LS)
Westmoreland County ss personally came before me the Register for
the Probat of wills + granting Letters of administration came John
SHIELDS Esqr + Benjamin HILL who being duly sworn according to Law
deposeth they were present + Saw Mathew SHIELDS who is now decesed
Sign seal + pronounce this his last will + Testament + at the Time
of his so doing he was of sound mind + memory + that the [sic]
signed as witness in his presents + at his Requist + that the
signature of these deponants are in their owne proper hand writing
Sworen 19th day Febuary 1817
Signed: John SHIELDS Benjamin HILL
Transcribed by: Sherry Norton
SHIELDS, John, Westmoreland Co PA Will (#741)
Westmoreland Co PA Wills, Vol 2
LDS Films #1,316,410
Will Book #2, P 56, Will #741
In the Name of God Amen I John SHIELDS of Salem Township in the
County of Westmoreland (?) being in perfect health of body + Sound
in mind memory + understanding Blessed be God for the (?) But
Considering the uncertainty of this transitory life (?) (?) publish
this My last Will + Testament in manner + form following to wit
Principally + first of all I commend (?) commit My immortal Soul to
God who gave it + my Body to the Earth to be Buried in a decent +
Christian like manner at the discretion of my Executors herein after
named And as to Such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to
bless me with in this life I Give + dispose of the same in the
following Manner to wit I Give + bequeath to my Son David the land
he now lives on + to my Son Joseph one hundred + thirty three acres
Coming from General Alexander CRAIG in the new Country to me to My
Son John Sixty acres off the lower end of the place I now live on
including the (lowest?) Coolpit + his improvements Made on said land
and what land May remain of My land of the place I Now live on to be
Equally Divided betwixt my Daughters Elizabeth CRAIG Jane
(McCOMB/McCORMICK) [McCOMB is lightly written in above McCORMICK] +
Mary SHIELDS + the ten acres to Sarah HILL that was measured off to
her the oldest is to have the first Choice the Second the next
Choice the last to Mary SHIELDS it is to divided from the Road to
Greensburgh @ South East direction across the plantation next Genl
CRAIGs + My Son James is to have uper part including the uper
Coolpit + orchard + the house + barn + the wind Mill + wagon + the
horse (geers?) plow + (harrow?) + after my Just debts is all paid
the rest of my property to be sold Equally divided only James is to
have half of the Cow beasts + all the hogs + I do nominate + appoint
my son in law Robert SHIELDS + Hugh BIGHAM to be the Executors of
this my last Will + Testament Witness my hand + Seal September the
28th 1820
Test: James MOORHEAD James MOORE
Signed: John SHIELDS
Westmoreland County ss Before me the Subscriber Register in + for
Said County personally came James (MOORHEAD?) + James MOORE the
Subscribing Witnesses to the above Will of John SHIELDS Esqr
Deceased who on their Solemn oath (?) that John SHIELDS the
Testator called on these deponants Seperately + in their presance
pronounced + declared the Same was his last Will + testament that at
Same time he was as they believe of Sound mind, Memory +
understaning that they Signed as Witnesses thereto in presance of
the Testator + at his request that the Names James MOORHEAD + James
MOORE are the handwriting of these deponants Sworn + Subscribed the
1st day of January 1822
Signed: James MOORHEAD James MOORE
Signed: Robert MONTGOMERY Register
(20th?) August 1822 Robert SHIELDS + Hugh BIGHAM filed their
(resignations?) + Letters of Adm. with Will (annexed?) (?) to James
SHIELDS
Recorded January the (2d?) 1822