In the name of God, Amen. I, Abraham Goss of Decatur Township, Clearfield County in the state of Pennsylvania, Farmer, being in perfect health of body and of sound mind, memory, and understanding but considering the uncertainty of this territory, do make and publish this my last-will and testament.
First and principally I recommend my immortal Spirit to God who gave it, in hopes of a joyful resurrection, and my body to the earth when it shall please God to separate my soul and body; and to be decently buried as herein after mentioned; and as to such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with, I give and dispose of the same as follows hereafter ~
Secondly- It is my will and I do order my executors herein after named. To pay all my just debts as soon as conveniently can be after my decease, and that all debts due me in any shape or form whatever, be likewise collected by them, without any unnecessary delay.
Thirdly - To prevent any misunderstanding relating to certain contracts and agreements made and entered into with and between me and my sons David and Joseph Goss. Be it known that I have sold for value received ( and which I hereby release and confirm ) to my son Joseph Goss, the plantation or tract of lands on which I now reside commonly called the South Survey ( containing two hundred and sixty nine acres twenty two perches with all the buildings and appurtenances thereunto belonging which said plantation or tract of land was by my orders granted and conveyed by Hardman and Sophia Phillips by deeds dated the 4th day of April AD 1840, to my said son Joseph Goss his heirs and assigns as relation, being thereunto had will at large appear. Also let it be known that I have sold for value received ( and which I hereby release and confirm ) to my son Joseph Goss all my goods and chattels and personal property of every description found as in my possession at the time of my decease (excepting such as is hereafter mentioned) and generally mentioned as and intended, so to be in certain articles of Agreement made and entered between myself and my said Son Joseph Goss, on the 1st day of May AD 1841 and again more fully on the 5th day of April AD 1844 as will more fully appear by relation thereunto. Moreover be it known that I have sold for value received (and which I hereby release and confirm) to my Son David Goss the plantation or tract of land on which he my said son ,David Goss now resides and commonly called the North Survey, containing one hundred and twenty acres, which said plantation or tract of land was by my orders granted and conveyed by Hardman and Sophia Phillips by deeds dated the 4th day of April AD 1840 to my said son David Goss his heirs and assigns, as relative beings, thereunto had will more fully appear. All of which said lands goods and chattels and personal property herein described or intended. So to be and sold as aforesaid it is my will that my said sons David and Joseph Goss shall each inherit and hold said their own right and property without any claim interference or molestation from my said executors herein after named, or from any other person or persons whatsoever.
Item - I give and bequeath to my son Joseph Goss ten acres of land out of the South-East corner of the "Gum Springs" tract, lately purchased by me. Beginning at a post of said Joseph Goss land, a short distance north of the road leading from Joseph Goss house to Jacob Goss place. Thence East 46 perches to a stone heap in the field a short distance North-West of Joseph Goss house. Thence North by lands of Joseph Goss 69 13/23 perches to a post in said Joseph Goss line. Thence by residue of Gum Tract - S. 35/and W85 perches to the place of beginning and containing as before said ten acres. I hereby order and direct my Executors herein named to make and give a good and sufficient title of the said ten acres or piece of land to my said son Joseph Goss, his heirs and assigns provided I have not conveyed and granted the same to him previous to my decease. Moreover I hereby order and direct that my said son Joseph Goss shall pay to my Executors, herein after named, the sum of two hundred dollars at the expiration of one year after my decease and further that he my said son Joseph Goss shall at my departure from this life provide for my remains a decent and respectable funeral, at his own cost and expense. And as touching all the rest residue and remainder of my estate real and personal (including money on hand, debts due me on my books or otherwise; notes of hand or other obligations and securities showing debts due me on account of my real estate already sold and not paid for or on any other private account- whatsoever; together with the proceeds of my unsold real estate: which I hereby order and direct my Executors herein after named, or the survivor of them to sell and dispose of to such person or persons and for such price as can reasonably be gotten for the same and for that purpose and for all other purposes relating to my real estate. I do hereby authorize and empower my said Executors herein after named or the survivor of them to Sign, Seal, and execute and acknowledge all such deeds or deeds of conveyance as may be requested and necessary for the granting and assuring the same to the purchaser or purchasers thereof in simple fee. And the moneys arising from such sales together with and from the said residue and remainder of my real estate and personal above mentioned and lying in Decatur Township Clearfield County aforesaid. I give and devise the same in equal shares amongst all my children. Viz: One share to each of my sons, George, John, Jacob, Abraham, Isaac, David, and Joseph Goss. One share each to my daughters Margaret Carson, Sarah Kephart, Susanna Beams, and to the surviving children of my late daughter Elizabeth Kephart, one share and likewise one share to my daughter Mary Hopkins; or said shares in case of any of them deceased to be divided amongst their children. And I do hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint my said son John Goss and my son-in-law Henry Kephart Junior, to be Executors of my will . Hereby making all other wills, legacies, and bequests by me heretofore made and declare this and no other to be my last-will and testament. And lastly my express will and meaning is and I do hereby order and appoint that if any differences, disputes, questions, or controversy shall be made, arise, or happen concerning any grant-sale-gifts or bequests in this my will granted, holds given or bequeathed, expressed or contained, that there be no suit or suits in law or equity or otherwise, shall be brought on or prosecuted and concerning the same, but the same shall be referred wholly to the awards order and determination of my friends Joseph McClaren and Jacob L Runk of Decatur Township Clearfield County and John Matley of Phillipsburg Centre County or the survivor of them and what they shall order direct and determine therein shall be binding and conclusive to all and every person or persons therein concerned. In witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty eight day of April one thousand eight hundred and forty five.
Signed Sealed and Declared by the testator as his last will and testament in the presence of us.
signature
signatures Abraham Goss
Rich. Atherton
Thomas Morrow
Clearfield County Ss:
Before me Wm. C Welch Register for the Probate of Wills and granting a letter of Administration in and for said County of Clearfield Pennsylvania. Personally came Thomas morrow one of the subscribing witnesses to the annexed will, who being duly Sworn according to law. Depose and say that he was foremost and present and saw and heard Abraham Goss the testator sign and publish pronounce and declare the foregoing instrument of writing as and for his last will and testament and at the same time of so doing he was of perfect sound mind, memory, and understanding.
Signature
Thomas Morrow
Sworn and Subscribed the 3rd day of May 1847
before me Wm. C Welch Register
Clearfield County PA
Clearfield County Ss:
Before me Wm. C Welch Register for the Probate of Wills and Granting letters of Administration in fore said County of Clearfield personally came Richard Atherton one of the Subscribing Witnesses to the annexed will who being duly Sworn according to the law doth depose and say that he was present and saw and heard Abraham Goss, the Testator, Sign, Seal, and Publish Pronounce and Declare that the amended instrument of writing as and for his last will and testament and at the same time of so doing he was perfect sound mind, memory, and understanding.
Sworn and Subscribed the 22nd day of May 1847 signature
Before me Wm. C Welch register Richard Altherton
Special thanks to Donna R. Pryor for kindly donating this transcription to the Clearfield County Genealogy Project.
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