I David Goss of the Township of Decatur County of Clearfield and state of Pennsylvania; Yeoman being of sound mind, memory, and understanding do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills hereto published by me at any time.
1st. I direct that my body be decently buried in the cemetery at Phillipsburg according to the rites and ceremonies of the Methodist Church and that my funeral be conducted in a manner corresponding with my situation in life as to such estate as I have pleased God to entrust me with. First I direct all my just debts and funeral expenses to be fully paid and satisfied by my Executors hereinafter named as soon as economically possible after my death.
2nd . I give and bequeath to my wife Sarah Goss three thousand (3000.) dollars to be paid to her by the Executors out of the estate after debts are all paid, this to include her entire interest in said half of such claim hereinafter. I desire and bequeath also that my wife Sarah Goss shall have a fraction of the old house will set apart for her home after my decease namely rooms down and one upstairs of the south-east part of our present dwelling and that she be supported from the moneys of the farm until she receives her share above mentioned namely the three thousand dollars and at her death I desire that whatever money or property may be in her possession and at her disposal that it be equally divided among our children, to have and to share and have alike and the time arrives in my wife’s lifetime that the coal lands should be leased and entered upon a royalty, then I wish my wife to have an equal share with the rest of my legal heirs.
3rd . I give and bequeath to my son Joseph G Goss, to remain on my homestead farm where he now resides, to farm the place in a workable manner, pay all taxes that shall be assessed on the property. Keep up all repairs and contract no debts that shall be a lien against the said farms that shall effect the rest of the legal heirs. To have and hold the said farm for the term of three years with the privilege of leasing the same for three years longer providing however that should, could there be a sale affected at any time during the years above mentioned that the said Joseph G Goss is to give up his lease and not in any way to hinder said sale. By reason of said lease. I also desire that the said property, that I now own be kept insured in some good and reliable company and that the expenses of said insurance be paid out of the proceeds of said estate.
4. I give and bequeath to my son Joseph G Goss the right and first offer or privilege if so desired of purchasing one hundred acres of the land now comprising the old homestead where the buildings are now located at the sum of twenty -five dollars per acre to include the surface above all minerals to be reserved to the estate in general such as coal, fire clay, and any and all minerals that may be unduly the said mentioned one hundred acres with the right of way through and approve the said mentioned land with the privilege of digging, mining, and carrying away any and all minerals that may be found underlying said one hundred acres. To have the right of sinking shafts, constructing train roads, running drifts and doing any and all things that may be necessary for successful mining or taking out of such minerals as may be discovered underlying the said land, with as little drainage to the surface as possible. I also give the right and privilege to my son Joseph G Goss while occupying said premises as the farmer to mine what coal he may wish to sell and haul away from the Bank now in use. The said bank at all times must be kept in good mining condition.
I give and bequeath to my grand children, heirs of David Goss my son, twenty acres of land of the homestead farm joining Albert’s farm, now in the woods all timber to be reserved. The said David Goss to have a life interest in said twenty acres, but bequeathed to his children so that the land shall not be subject or liable for any debts constructed by the parents for which he is to pay the sum of ten (10.00) dollars per acre for the surface minerals as revealed in the case of Joseph G Goss with the privilege and right of way through and approve the same to dig, mine search for, and carry away any and all minerals that may be found underlying the said twenty acres with the right to sink shafts, construct train roads and to do any things that may be necessary to be done for the purpose of successful mining and carrying away the same. As for the residue of my estate both real and personal property, I leave in the hands of my Executors and their success to manage and dispose of according to their best judgment and the interest of all concerning and lastly I nominate an appoint my two sons, Levi and Joseph G Goss Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time hereto for made and declared this only to be and contain my last will and testament and now to save any probate or dissatisfaction I nominate my ala friends Chester Munson, Enoch G Gearhart, James Shugal to be and constitute a committee to sit in arbitration and to pass upon any dispute between the legal heirs of the estate and upon all dispute points to decide and their decision to be final and binding and the party or parties raising the dispute I desire that they, he, she, or they be entirely cut out of any fraction of said estate.
Signature
David Goss
In testimony where of I David Goss have to this my last will and testament contained four sheets of paper and today I have thereof subscribed my name and offered my seal this 16th day of June AD one thousand eight hundred and eighty four Signed, Sealed and published and declared by me David Goss as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us at his request and in their presence and the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witness thereto.
Signature David Goss
Witnesses Name
Lucas Hess
Levi Goss
Clearfield County , PA
Registers office December 29, 1884
There personally appeared Lucas Hess and Levi Goss the witnesses to the foregoing will of David Goss deceased, and of their solemn oaths did say that they present and did see and hear David Goss deceased the testator thereof sign Seal and publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament and that at the signing thereof he was of sound disposing mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief.
Sworn and subscribed before Lucas Hess
me the date above. Levi Goss
E Kauffman Dep. Reg.
State of Pennsylvania
County of Clearfield
Before me Ea Kauffman deputy register for the probate of wills and granting letters of administration in and for said county came Levi Goss and Joseph Goss who being duly qualified say that as executors of the Last Will and Testament of David Goss late of Decatur Township, Clearfield County, PA deceased , you will well and truly administer the goods and challis rights and audits of the said deceased according to law.
Sworn and subscribed before me Levi Goss
this 29th day of December Joseph G Goss
AD 1884
EA Kauffman
Deputy Register
Date of death Dec. 6, 1884
Special thanks to Donna R. Pryor for kindly donating this transcription to the Clearfield County Genealogy Project.
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