Joshua Meek's Last Will and Testament
Will Book Vol. 4 Page 276
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

     In the name of God, Amen, I Joshua Meek of the township of Moon in
the County of Allegheny and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania being sick
and weak in body but of perfect mind , memory and understanding blessed
be God for the same and knowing the uncertainty of this transitory life
do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form
following to wit.

     Principally and first of all I recommend my immortal soul into the
hands of Almighty God who gave it and my body to the earth to be burried
in a decent christian like manner at the discretion of my executors
hereinafter named.  And as touching such worldly estate as it hath pleased
God to bless me in this life, I give devise and bequeath the same in the
following manner to wit.

     It is my will and do order that all my just debts and funeral
expenses be fully paid and satisfied.  Item: It is also my will and I
do order that as soon as may be after my decease, that a certain parcel
of land bounded and described as follows to wit.  Beginning at John
Bards(?) line where Broadheads road crosses the same and running along
the said line to the first marked whiteoak thence forty four degrees
east fifty perches [paces ?] to a chestnut, thence south seventy two
degrees east ninety perches [paces ?] to a whitoak, thence by land of
John Meeks in a direct line to Broadhead road, and thence along said
road on the right hand side thereof to the place of beginning.  And
also one other certain peice of land bounded and described as follows
to wit: Beginning at a hickory on the division line and running thence
south thirteen degrees east seventy six perches [paces ?] to a blackoak,
thence south seventy degrees west ninety four perches [paces ?] to a
blackoak, thence back on the same line till it crosses the public road
thence in a direct line to intersect the corner between John (?)ith,
William Gordon & myself thence by said Gordon's line to John Cooker's
line and thence by a direct line to the place of beginning.  Be struck
off my lands and the contents of both the said parcels of land be sold
to the best advantage, and the amount thereof be the same more or less
I do hereby order and direct to be equally divided between my daughters
to wit: Elizabeth Morrison, Sally Yauger, Rachel Onstot, Nancy Meeks
and Susanna Meeks, share and share alike as tenants in common and not
as joint tenants.

     And all the residue and remainder of my lands I do hereby order
and direct, shall be divided between my three sons, to wit: Joshua,
Jeremiah and Bazabeel equal in quantity and quality, as they severally
shall arrive at the age of twenty one years.  Provided nevertheless
that my wife Margaret shall have the privilege and use of the Mansion
house and farm whereon I now live, for and during her natural life.
If so long she remain a widow, and at her decease or marriage, the
said Mansion house and an equal share of the land including the home
farm or or so much thereof as will fall to (?)share to immediately
descend to my youngest son Bazabeel.

     And I also give to my daughter Susannah one feather bed and
bedding of equal value with that of her sister Nancy, and also their
living in the same manner with their mother and brothers while they
remain unmarried.

     I do also allow, give and bequeath unto each of my three sons
aforesaid when they shall arrive at full age a good feather bed and
bedding of equal value.  And all the rest residue and remainder of
my estate real and personal of what kind and nature soever the same
may be.  I give, divide and bequeath unto my said wife and three sons
Joshua, Jeremiah and Bezabeel aforesaid, for their support and
whatever thereof may remain after the decease or marriage of my said
wife Margaret.  It is my will and I do order that the same shall be
divided equally between my said three sons share and share alike as
tenants in common and not as joint tenants.

     And lastly I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my
beloved wife Margaret, Adrian Aten (?) and George Morrison to be
the executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking
all other wills, legacies and bequeaths by me heretofore made and
declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament.  In
witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty
eighth day of June Anno Domini 1817 one thousand eight hundred and
seventeen.  


Note the words "or marriage" interlined before signing...  Joshua Meek



Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said
testator as his last will and testament in the presence of us who
in his presence and at his request subscribed as witnesses.

Ezekiel Inman
M. Fisher


NOTE:  The paragraph breaks are mine, not necessarily those of
Joshua Meek