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The Will of Benjamin PARKINSON of Nottingham Twp., 1834

  Washington County PA Courthouse, Washington PA

Written and submitted by Leslie Nelson


 

Benjamin PARKINSON (1754?-1834) of Nottingham Twp
Benjamin, farmer and tavern keeper, was a younger brother of Joseph Parkinson, the ferry man and innkeeper who is considered to be one of Monongahela’s founders.. Benjamin was charged with treason for his role in the Whiskey Rebellion but was eventually pardoned by President Washington.

Will Book 5, p. 135

In the name of God, Amen. I, Benjamin Parkinson of Nottingham township Washington County and state of Pennsylvania, being in good health of body and of sound and disposing mind and memory (praised be God for the same) and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs whilst I have strength and capacity so to do do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revokeing and makeing void all wills by me at any time heretofore made; And first and principally I commit my soul into the hands of my Creator who gave it, and my body to the earth, to be interred at the discretion of my Executors hereinafter mentioned, and as to such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to entrust me I dispose of the same as follows; Viz. I will &c. I will that all my just debts as shall be by me oweing at my death together with my funeral expenses, and all charges touching the proveing of or otherwise concerning this my will, shall in the first place out of my outstanding debts and personal estate and effects be fully paid and satisfied, and from and after payment thereof and subject thereto then my will is, that Elizabeth my dearly beloved wife, shall have hold and enjoy all and singular my lands messuages and tenements, and all my stock implements of husbandry household and kitchen furniture during her natural life. Thirdly I will and bequeath to my son Washington the sum of one Dollar. Fourthly I bequeath to my grand children Benjamin Bradford Benjamin Morrison David Hootman and Benjamin Dickey each the sum of One Hundred Dollars to be paid out of the proceeds of my real estate. Fifthly I will and bequeath to my daughter Polly all my Plate, Clock household and kitchen furniture likewise the income of my stock in the turnpike rode leading from Williamsport to Washington and further all my stock of horses cows sheep and hogs at the decease of both me and my wife. Sixthly at the decease of both me and my wife, I will and order my executors to sell and dispose of all my real estate and farming utensils the proceeds of which I will and bequeath that it shall be equally divided among my Five daughters viz Margaret Elizabeth Polly Nancy and Jane share and share alike by my Executors as they are all of age without going to the orphans Court. And I make and ordain John Morrison and Benjamin Dickey Executors of this my last will and Testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Thirtieth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight. Benj Parkinson (seal). Witness Present[:] William Colhoun[,] John Gamble

Washington County ss: Be it remembered that on the 31st day of October A.D. 1834, before me John Grayson, Register for the probate of Wills and granting letters of administration in and for said county in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, came William Calhoun a witness to the foregoing instrument in writing, purporting to be the will of Benjamin Parkinson decd. who on his oath administered as the law directs doth depose and say that he was present and did see the testator therein named sign this will, and did hear him publish, pronounce and declare the same as and for his last will and testament; that he signed it as a witness in the presence and at the request of the testator, and also in the presence of John Gamble, whom he also saw sign his name as a witness thereto, and who has understood now resides out of this state; and at the time thereof, he the said testator was of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding to the best of his knowledge observation and belief. Wm. Colhoun. And sworn to and subscribed before me, Jno. Grayson, Regr.

Washington County ss: Be it remembered that on the 10th day of November A.D. 1834 before me John Grayson Register for the probate of Wills and granting letters of administration in and for the said County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania came Aaron Gamble, who on his solemn oath administered as the law directs doth depose and say, that he did hear Benjamin Parkinson decd publish pronounce and declare the above instrument in writing as and for his last will and testament, and that the said deceased at the same time that William Colhoun and John Gamble witnessed the same, requested deponent also to bear witness that the above was his last will and at the time thereof he the testator was of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding, to the best of his knowledge, observation and belief. Aaron Gamble. And sworn to and subscribed before me, Jno. Grayson, Regr.

Nov. 10, 1834, Letters Testamentary with copy of the will and probate annexed, issued to John Morrison and Benjamin Dickey, executors therein named, who were duly sworn. Jno. Grayson, Regr. Registered and compared with original November 10, 1834. Jno. Grayson, Regr.


Page added Nov 28, 2006

 

County of Washington, ss. 
Register of Wills Office


*A line break or spaces were inserted into some Wills for readability.

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