The Will of James
Melvin . . .
SUBMITTED BY:Bruce
E Warnock - OH
Whereas, I James Melvin of Lower Milford in the County of Bucks, (Pennsylvania),
being weak in body but of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty
of time, do make and put in writing this my last will and testament in the
manner and form following:
First, I will that all my just debts and funeral expenses be carefully paid and
discharged.
Item: I give and devise unto my son Samuel Melvin, his heirs and assigns,
forever all my Plantation and Tract of Land whereon I now live in the Township
of Lower Milford aforesaid, containing one hundred and three acres and a quarter
or thereabout;
Item: I give unto my daughter Susanna Dungworth living with me, her bed and all
its appurtenances and her wearing apparel, and I give her also the sum of forty
pounds in current money of America;
Item: I give unto my son Thomas Melvin the sum of ten pounds, and to my son John
Melvin I give the like sum of ten pounds, and to my son Joseph Melvin I give the
sum of ten pounds, and to my daughter Jane Barnes I give the sum of ten pounds,
and to my daughter Mary Crossley I give the like sum of ten pounds, currency
aforesaid;
Item: I give to my son Samuel above named all the residue of my goods and
effects whatsoever that shall remain after the payment of my debts and legacies
aforesaid, and I do hereby ordain and appoint my said son Samuel Melvin to be my
executor of this my last will and testament.
In witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-fourth day of
September in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Seven.
Signed and sealed and declared by the said testator to be his last will and
testament in the presence of us.
/s/ James Melvin Witnesses
/s/ William Edwards
/s/ Charles Dungworth
/s/ Samuel Foulke
Bucks Co.,
The 8th day of December, Anno Domini, 1778 appeared William Edwards and Samuel
Foulke, two of the witnessed to the written instrument of writing, who on their
solemn affirmations did declare and say, that they were present at the execution
thereof, and saw and heard the within named James Melvin, the testator, sign,
seal and publish the same as and for his Last Will and Testament and that at the
time of his so doing, he was of sound mind, memory and understanding to the best
of their knowledge and belief.
Before me, John Hart, Deputy Register.
Bucks Co.
Be it remembered that on this 8th day of December, 1778, this the last Will and
Testament of James Melvin, deceased, was duly proved, whereas Probate and
Letters Testamentary were granted to Samuel Melvin, the Executor therein named,
he being first solemnly sworn well and truly to administer the goods and
chattels, rights and credits of the said Deceased, and that he would within one
month from the date hereof exhibit into the Register's Office for the said
County a true inventory and conscionable appraisement of the same, and within
twelve months, or when thereunto required, render a just accounting of his whole
administration.
Witness my hand and seal of Office the day and year above said, John Hart,
Deputy Register.