Family Friday: Mary Jane Peebles (1829 - 1915)

Who are these people? And which one is Mary Jane?

The oldest person in this family portrait is Mary Jane Peebles Calhoun, one of my maternal first cousins, four times removed. She and I are both descendants of Isaac Webb and his wife Jane Kennedy. Her mother Jane Webb married Joel C. Peebles and Mary Jane was their second child. She and her husband Thomas Calhoun had eight children together, three of whom (Mary, Edith and John Alexander) are in this picture along with grandson William Henry Calhoun, his wife Dora and their baby John. 

Photo taken abt 1908 from left to right standing Edith Calhoun Haberman, Dora May Helsel Calhoun, William Henry Calhoun, Mary Calhoun Luehm. Seated left to right John Alexander Calhoun, Mary Jane Peebles Calhoun with John Calhoun on her lap and Sarah Jane Edmundson Calhoun. vivkifretz originally shared this to Ancestry.com on 02 Feb 2017

A life-long resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Mary Jane survived her husband by 22 years, her accidental death in 86th year was the result of burns caused by a gas stove that set her skirts on fire.

[Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1966 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.]

Like many of my Allegheny County relatives, Mary Jane is buried in the McKeesport and Versailles Cemetery.

A reminder of how we're connected:

[Ancestry.com]

© 2018 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

From the Probate Files: Ann Sill - Allegheny County, Pennsylvania - 1851

Ann Sill, one of the daughters of William Sill (and therefore my fifth great aunt), signed her will on November 28, 1850, and it was presented in court on February 4th of the following year.

In the name of God Amen, I Ann Sill of
the Borough of McKeesport, County of Allegheny
State of Pennsylvania, being weak in body
and of sound mind memory and understanding
but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do make and publish this
my last will & Testament in manner and form following, to wit; First,
It is my will, I do order, that all my just debts and funeral Expenses be duly
paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be after my decease Second,
I give devise and bequeath to my sister Jane Penny and my niece Margaret
Miller my farm of land situate in Versailles Township, containing one hundred
acres, or thereabouts, which is now in the occupancy of John Gray to them
the said Jane Penny and Margaret Miller  their heirs and assigns forever
share and share alike, Subject however to the payment of the sum of Fifty
dollars each as set forth in the following bequests Third - If the congregation
worshiping in the Presbyterian Meeting house in this Borough should within
the period of four years from the time of my decease, erect a new meeting house
I give and bequeath unto the Trustees of the same the sum of One Hundred Dollars
for the purpose of assisting in paying the expense of erecting the same
which sum is to be paid by my sister Jane Penny and my niece Margaret
Miller viz Fifty Dollars each when the said building is finished, which
sum I have left as a lien upon the farm above bequeathed to them. Fourth, I
give and bequeath unto my brother Jesse Sill the sum of Tow hundred Dollars
and my watch Fifth I give and bequeath unto my nephew John Penny son of 
William the sum of Two hundred Dollars - Sixth - I give and bequeath to the
American Bible Society the sum of One hundred Dollars, to be applied to
the uses and purposes of said society. Seventh - My nephew John Penny
has in his hands the sum of Five hundred Dollars of my money, out of which
is to be paid the foregoing legacies to my brother Jesse Sill, and The 
American Bible Society: which it is my will that he may retain 
      
              

the same, in his hands for the term of one year after my decease without paying
interest therefor; and if at the expiration of that period, he is unable to pay
the said legacies, it is my desire, and I order that he be not distressed therefor
but that he have further time, not exceeding Three years, to pay the same
he giving the Legatees security, and paying them lawful interest annually
for the time he retains the same in his hands after the first year above
mentioned. His own Legacy he may retain in his hands; and what shall
remain of the other one hundred Dollars after defraying my funeral expenses
etc he shall pay out to my residuary Legatees hereinafter named, in the
same manner as the above mentioned legatees are to be paid. Eighth - 
I give and bequeath to Rachel Miller, daughter of Margaret Miller one of
my beds and bedding. Ninth. I give and bequeath to her sister Caroline
Miller my Bureau.            
                                            Tenth - I give and bequeath to her sister Martha
Miller one set of chairs. Eleventh. I give and bequeath to Mrs. Jane Webb, one
of my Beds and Bedding - Twelfth. I give and bequeath to Martha Houghton all
the articles contained in my cupboard, consisting of Plates, Dishes etc
Thirteenth - I give and bequeath to Mrs Jacobs (wife of my Pastor) my saddle
bridle and whip Fifteenth I give and bequeath unto Ruth Penny and Marga-
ret Penny, all that shall remain of my personal estate, after paying my just 
debts, funeral expenses and the foregoing Legacies to be divided between
them, share and share alike. Lastly, I nominate constitute and appoint
Hezekiah Gamble to be the Executor of this my last will, hereby revoking
all others, by me heretofore made, and declare this and no other, my
last will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Twenty eighth day of November A.D. one thousand eight
hundred and fifty                                                     Ann Sill {seal}
Signed sealed and delivered by the said Testator as her last will and
Testament in the presence of us, who have subscribed in the presence of each other
The words son of William being first interlined between the 20th and 21st lines
from the top of the first page                                John Patterson
                                                                              Alex Miller

[All the above are from "Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G991-MTMH?cc=1999196&wc=9PMX-ZNL%3A268499101%2C281889701 : 3 July 2014), Allegheny > Wills 1845-1854 and 1888 vol 6-7 > image 436 of 724; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.]

                               Be it Known that on the 4th day of Feby. A.D. 1851 person-
ally came before me John Scott Register etc in and for the County aforesaid John Patterson&
Alex Miller Ergo the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of writing who being
by me duly sworn did declare and say that they saw & heard the Testatrix Ann Sill
sign publish and declare it as being her last will and Testament. That at the time of so
doing she was of sound mind, memory and understanding to the best of their observation &
belief and that at her request and in her presence they subscribed their names as witnesses thereto
     Given under my hand the above           John Scott  Register
Allegheny County    }
                                 } Be it Known that on the 4th day of Feby 1851 Letters testamen-
tary with the will annexed on the estate of Ann Sill were granted to Hezekiah Gamble
Executor in said will name who was duly sworn to administer the goods and chattels rights
& credits which were if said decd. to make a true Inventory & appraisment of the personal
property & file the same in the Registers office in one month to settle an account of his
administration in one year or when thereto legally required and to comply with the provisions of an
act of assembly of this commonwealth entitled an act relating to collateral Inheritances
        Given under my hand etc                       John Scott  Register
Recorded Feby 5th 1851

It's clear from these clippings from the Pittsburgh Daily Post dated April 28, 1853, that Mr. Gamble complied with his instructions to comply with the provisions of the law pertaining to "collateral inheritances":*

[Newspapers.com]

Looking back at her father's 1841 will, we see that Ann retained the property he left to her (and that John Gray was still residing there).

I haven't been able to determine whether McKeeesport's Presbyterian congregation built a new meeting place in time to receive Ann's bequest but I learned that The American Bible Society is still in existence.


 *Here's a description of Pennsylvania's inheritance taxes: "Traditionally, the Pennsylvania inheritance tax had two tax rates. A rate of six percent applied to assets that passed to so-called lineal descendants, such as children, grandchildren and stepchildren. A rate of 15% applied to so-called collateral beneficiaries. This included brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews and all others."




© 2018 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

Monday Is for Mothers: Anne Baker (1703 - 1779)

Anne Baker, one of my maternal seventh great grandmothers, was the grandmother of William Sill whose life and probate we've been examining in the last week. She outlived her husband James and wrote her own last will in 1779.*

[Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669-2013 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Historic Pennsylvania Church and Town Records. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Methodist Church Records. Valley Forge, Pennsylvania: Eastern Pennsylvania United Methodist Church Commission on Archives and History.]

 As far as I can tell, Ann and James had eight children, five boys and three girls. I'm descended from their oldest son, another James Sill.

[Ancestry.com]

All the records we have for the Sills place them in Pennsylvania, first in Chester County** and later in Allegheny. My great great grandfather Abner Webb was the first of that lineage to leave, settling first in Iowa in the 1850s and later dying in Texas, probably in 1861..



*Which I'll post about at a future date.
**Edgmont Township is now in Delaware County, which was created out of Chester in 1789.

© 2018 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

From the Probate Files: William Sill - Allegheny County, Pennsylvania - 1841

Eighty-one year old William Sill executed his last will and testament on May 5, 1838, dividing his property fairly equitably among his son Jesse and his three daughters, although in the case of his two married daughters he directed that each of them and their husbands were to hold the property for their lifetimes and that it then was to go to a named grandson of each couple.

The will wasn't presented for probate until March 9, 1841.

The Last will and testament of William Sill of
Versailles township Allegheny County._____
In the Name of GOD Amen: I William Sill
Considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being
of sound mind and memory (blessed be Almighty God
for the same) do make and publish this my last will and
testament  in the maner and form following (that is to say)
First I give and bequeath to my Daughter Ann that
messuague or tract of Land containing on hundred Acres
now in possession of John Gray being part of the original
tract on which I now reside in Versailles township Allegheny
County to have and to hold forever together with all the
appurtenances                    Item I give and bequeath
unto my son Jesse Sill for and during his natural 
life and the lifetime of his wife Elisabeth that messuage
or tract of land on which I now reside containing one
hundred and fifty acres being the same more or less
and on the death of Jesse Sill and his wife Elisabeth
the aforesaid messuage or tract of Land is to Entail
to my Grandson William Sill together with all the app
urtances to hold the same forever and the residue of my origin
al tract of about thirty acres be the same more or less is
bequeathed to Jesse Sill [???] together with the Apurtenan
ces   Item I Give and bequeath to my soninlaw William
Penny and my daughter Martha that tract or parcel
of land on which they now live in Elisabeth township
County aforesaid containing one hundred and Eighty six
Acres with the allowances, for and during the natural live
time of the aforesaid William and Martha 

together with all and singular the appurtenances
to the same and on the death of the said William and
Martha the aforesaid tract of land is is toto Entail to my
Grandson John Penny (son of William and Martha
Penny) with all appurtenances [????]      Item
I give and bequeath to my soninlaw James Penny and
Jane his wife all that messuage or tract of land set
ini Versailles township County aforesaid Containing one
hundred and sixty acres be the same more or less o which
said Penny now lives during their natural lives
together with all all appurtenances and on the death of
said James and Jane Penny I bequeath the aforesaid
tract of land to my Grandson Levi Penny son of James
and Jane Penny aforesaid  to him and his heirs to hold the land
forever.  Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Ann one
good horse & saddle two Cows six chairs 2 beds one beaureau
two tables and ten sheep __ __ Item I give and bequeath to my
four children the residue of my household goods [????] and
Live stock of every kind that is to say Jesse Martha
Ann & Jane to be Equally divided share and share alike
Lastly my debt and Money'd matters I will after my funeral
Expenses and expenses of the Execution of this my will is paid
allowing my just debts to be paid {????????????????????? ]
more may be is to be equally divided between Jesse Sill
Martha Penny Ann Sill and Jane Penny
Further I make and ordain William Penny
Hamilton Stewart and Fauntley Muse Jr Executors
of this my last will and testament

In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and Seal this 5 day of May in the year of our Lord
one thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Eight
                                               William Sill {Seal}

Signed Sealed Published and declared by the above named
William Sill to be his last will and testament in the 
presence of us; who at this request and in his presence
have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto
                                                      John Kelly
                                                      Andrew F Cowan

Allegheny County
Be it remembered that on the 9-th
day of March 1841 personally came before Me D Gilliland
Register fore the Probate of Wills in and for Said County John
Kelly & Andrew F Cowan the subscribing witnesses to the
foregoing Instrument who being by Me Solemnly Sworn
Say that they heard William Sill the above testator publish
and declare the foregoing Instrument as and for
his last will and testament and that at the time
he done so he was of sound and disposing mind
memory and understanding according to the best of their
observation and belief given under my hand the date aforesaid
                                                           D Gilliland
                                                           Registrar


The tape used to repair the pages make it really difficult to read some of the lines and some of the wording in the section written by the registrar was deduced by looking at other wills.

His daughter Ann Sill never married and I'll share her will with you next time.


© 2018 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

Working on Wednesday: William Sill (1757 - 1851), Farmer, Veteran

William Sill (or Sills) is one of my maternal fifth great grandfathers. He was residing in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, by 1800 according to the Pennsylvania Septennial Census of that year which only gives the most general information.

[Year: 1800: Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Septennial Census, 1779-1863 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Original data: Septennial Census Returns, 1779–1863. Box 1026, microfilm, 14 rolls. Records of the House of Representatives. Records of the General Assembly, Record Group 7. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, PA.]

We know he owned land in Versailles Township and he's mentioned several times in The Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette. The first reference shows us that he paid his taxes in 1806:

[Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, 3 March 1807. Newspapers.com]

In the next mention of William Sill that I found he was listed as one of the neighbors of a William Richardson who was in the process of losing his land. The description of Mr. Richardson's property gives us clues to the location of my ancestor's land holdings.

[Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, 12 May 1807. Newspapers.com]

Early in 1808 his name appears as the lead defendant in a court case scheduled for the January term. I don't know what the cause of the suit was.

[Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, 15 January 1808. Newspapers.com]

The 1810 federal census lists him in Versailles Township. (His son Jesse Sills is my direct ancestor.)

[Year: 1810; Census Place: Versailles, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Roll: 44; Page: 340; Image: 00178; Family History Library Film: 0193670. Ancestry.com. 1810 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Third Census of the United States, 1810. (NARA microfilm publication M252, 71 rolls). Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.]

In 1811 his name appears in another bankruptcy case, this time as a court-appointed custodian of the "certain goods, chattels and effect" of John Hill, a fellow resident of Versailles Township.

[Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, 9 August 1811. GenealogyBank.com]

The 1820 U.S. Census once again shows William and his son Jesse living in Versailles Township.

[1820 U S Census; Census Place: Versailles, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Page: 189; NARA Roll: M33_97; Image: 107. Ancestry.com. 1820 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

Original data: Fourth Census of the United States, 1820. (NARA microfilm publication M33, 142 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.]

Although I haven't found any mention of William Sill in the 1830 U.S. Census, we know he was still living in Versailles Township from the following newspaper clipping and we also learn that Jesse Sill was facing a forced sale of his land.*

[Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, 26 October 1830. Newspapers.com]

By the date of the 1840 federal census, it appears that William was living in Jesse Sill's household.

[Year: 1840; Census Place: Versailles, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Roll: 441; Page: 520; Family History Library Film: 0020536. Ancestry.com. 1840 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.  Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Sixth Census of the United States, 1840. (NARA microfilm publication M704, 580 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.]

William Sill died in 1841 and is buried next to his wife Jane in the McKeesport and Versailles Cemetery. Next time I'm going to try to figure out what's behind this record:**

[Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data: Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards, 1777–2012. Digital Images, 3–5. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Bureau of Archives and History. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.]

As far as I can tell, William never applied for the 1832 pension which would give us details of his service.


*You can find a definition of the legal term "venditioni exponas" here.
**There are records for at least two men named William Sill and I'm not certain which refer to my ancestor.


© 2018 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

Monday Is for Mothers: Jane Hunt (1757 - 1838)

The Sill Family memorial in the McKeesport and Versailles Cemetery names this fifth great grandmother and her husband William Sill, but it's clear that their gravestones are part of a large memorial constructed at a later date.

[Findagrave.com, MEMORIAL ID 58313727; photo by Todd Walder - #46600954]

[Findagrave.com, MEMORIAL ID 58313727; photo by Todd Walder - #46600954]

Her maiden name is usually given at Hunt although I don't know where that information comes from and haven't found any evidence to corroborate the claim. There is another William Sill living in Pennsylvania which complicates matters.

Here's my relationship to Jane:

[Ancestry.com]

© 2018 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

Family Friday: Mary Jane (Peebles) Calhoun and Family

Mary Jane Peebles, the daughter of Joel C. Peebles and my 4th great aunt Jane Webb, was born in Lincoln Township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in 1829. She married Thomas Calhoun (1828-1893) in 1851 and was the mother of eight children including John Alexander Calhoun (1858-1927) who is the man seated on the left in the family portrait below. Mary Jane is seated in the center, holding John Calhoun, one of her great grandchildren.*

[Photo taken about 1908 from left to right standing Edith Calhoun Haberman, Dora May Helsel Calhoun, William Henry Calhoun, Mary Calhoun Luehm. Seated left to right John Alexander Calhoun, Mary Jane Peebles Calhoun with John Calhoun on her lap and Sarah Jane Edmundson Calhoun. Shared on her public Ancestry.com family tree by vivkifretz.]

As far as I can tell, Mary Jane never moved out of Allegheny County and died in McKeesport in 1915.

As you can see from this chart, she is my first cousin, four times removed. While I sometimes find a family resemblance in cousins' photos I don't see it in this family portrait.

[Ancestry.com]

*Baby John's parents are standing behind him--William Henry Calhoun and his wife Dora May Helsel Calhoun.


© 2018 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved. 

From the Probate Files: Hugh Kennedy - Allegheny County, Pennsylvania - 1814

Last week we looked at the will of William Kenedy who is believed to be the father of my ancestor Hugh Kennedy and I promised to examine Hugh's will. Somehow the day got away from me and I just realized that it's my turn to post. Fortunately Hugh Kennedy's 1814 will is relatively short and the clerk who copied it into the records had legible handwriting.

[Will Books, 1789-1917; Author: Allegheny County (Pennsylvania). Register of Wills; Probate Place: Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

Original data: Pennsylvania County, District and Probate Courts.]

In the Name of God Amen. I Hugh Kennedy of the County of
Allegheny and the Township of Mifflin being weak in body but of sound &
perfect mind and memory Blessed be Almighty God for the same do make
and publish this my last will and Testament in manner and form foll-
owing that (is to say) first I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Eli-
zabeth Kennedy a good deacent mentenence together with all the bedd-
ing and household furniture endurring her life or widowhood. I do also
-------
give and bequeath unto my Eldest Son William one dollar. Also I give and
bequeath unto my Daughter Rebecca one dollar. I also give and bequeath un
to my Daughter Mary one dollar. I also give and bequeath unto my son Martin
one Dollar. I also give and bequeath unto my daughter Jennet one dollar.
I also give and bequeath unto my son Henry one dollar. I also give and
bequeath unto my daughter Catherine one dollar. I also give and bequeath
unto my son James one Dollar. I also give and bequeath unto my daughter
Isabella one Dollar. I also and bequeath unto my two sons Hugh & D-
avid their heirs and assigns all that my messuage or Tenement situated
lying and being in the Township and County aforesaid. Together with all my
other free hold Estate whatsoever to hold to them the said Hugh and David
their heirs and assigns forever. And lastly I give and bequeath unto my
beloved wife all the rest and residue and remainder of my personal prop-
erty estate goods and chattels of what kind and nature soever enduring 
her widow hood, and at her death to be divided betwixt my two sons Hugh
& David each the one half together with each paying the half of my Lawfull
debts, and I do hereby appoint my sons David and my trusty friend William
Canel my whole sole Executors of this my Last will and Testament hereby re-
voking all former wills by me made. In Witness whereof I have heretofo-
re set my hand and seal this second day of February in the year of our Lo-
rd one thousand eight hundred & fourteen. Signed Sealed published a-
nd declared by the above named Hugh Kennedy to be his last will and
Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names
as Witnesses in the presence of the Testator.                    his
Geo. McMillen. Adam Boyd. Jeremiah Ferree.       Hugh X Kennedy {Seal}
                                                                                          mark.

Allegheny County Ss. On the 9th day of March A.D. 1814. Personally came Ge-
orge McMillen, Adam Boyd and Jeremiah Ferree, the Subscribing witnesses
to the within will before Saml Jones Register for the probate of wills & for said
County. and being duly Sworn they did depose and say that they were pres-
ent and did see Hugh Kennedy make his mark to this instrument of wri-
ting and published pronounced & declared the same to be his last will an-
d Testament, and that he was of sound mind and memory at the ti-
me of so doing to the best of their Knowledge. Given under my hand the
day & year aforesaid
                                    Recorded 9th March 1814           Saml Jones Register.


Hugh names eleven children in his will, leaving only token bequests to all but two of his sons, Hugh and David. He had two wives, Catherine Hughes and Elizabeth Scullion but it's not clear to me which one was the mother of which children including my direct ancestor Jennet (Jane) who married Isaac Webb.







© 2018 Copyright, Christine Manczuk, All Rights Reserved.

From the Probate Files: William Kenedy - Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania - 1787

Is this the will of the father of my maternal ancestor Hugh Kennedy?

[Will Packets Or Files, 1789-1917; Author: Allegheny County (Pennsylvania). Register of Wills; Probate Place: Allegheny, Pennsylvania: Description - Notes: Will Packets, Vol 1, 1789-1808. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Pennsylvania County, District and Probate Courts.]

Know all men by these Presents That I William

Kenedy of Rostraver Township in Westmoreland County ~

In the State of Pennsylvania Being Sick & Weak in Body,

but of Sound Mind, Memory and understanding Do make and Publish

This my last Will and Testament in a Manner & form following

(viz) First. I give and Bequeath unto my Bloved Wife Elisabeth -

Kenedy The Whole use Benefits & advantages of my Messuage,

Land & Tenament of which I am now Possessed of Lying & being Situate

In the above Named Township in Pennsy^a for and During her

Natural Life which Sd. Messuage Land & Tenament She may Enjoy

and Possess herself or Recieve the Profits Benefits and advantages

Arising therefrom by the Possession of others by her affirmation ---

During her Sd. Natural Life Likewise I allow & Bequeath

unto the Sd. Elisabeth One Milk Cow, One Ewe and Lamb and her Choice

of the Best Bed & Beding of Choice that I am Possessed of

And after the Decease of Elisabeth Kenedy my wife I Give and Bequeath

unto my Grandsone Henry Kenedy Son of Hugh Kenedys 

And my Granddaughtere Sarrah Sill Daughter to George Sill all the above

Named Messuage Land, and Tenament that is to say in Such 

Manner that the above Named Granddaughter Sarrah Sill Shall have

Dividend or one half thereof Layed Off to her on the Side which

Joyn her father Land or Line being the Land whereof that Sd. George Sill now

Occupieth Also I Give and Bequeath unto my Son James Kenedy

the Sum of Seven Shillings & Six pence Also I give &

Bequeath unto my Son Hugh Kenedy Seven Shillings &

Six pence. Also I give & Bequeath unto my Son James Regan [?]

Seven Shill. & Six Pence. Also I Give and Bequeath unto

my Son George Sill Seven Shillings & Six pence Also I give &

Bequeath unto my Son William Kenedy Seven Shill. and 

Six Pence. Also I Give and Bequeath unto my Son Robt. Kenedy Seven

Shillings & Six pence And Provided the Remainder of my

Property which is not Devised and given to the above named Persons (Exclusive

of my Recds[?]) are Sufficient to Compensate my Creditors &

Defray the Necessary Expense of my funeral after the Sale I allow then the Said

Recds[?] to my son Will^m Kenedy and in case the amount of the

Sale of the above named property which are hereby made Saleable not

Prove Sufficient to pay my Creditors Defray the Expenses as

above and [????] pay the above named Legatees who are allowed

a Dollar Each Shall then in Such Case those Above Legatees 

(viz) Henry Kenedy & Sarrah Sill are to pay the Sd. Legatees 

Legaceys are a Dollar Each And Hereby I Nominate

and apoint David Robison and Henry Westbery Executors of this

my last will & Testament Hereby Revoking all former will 

and Wills by me Hitherto made In Witness Whereof  I have hereunto

Set my hand & Seal this Twelfth day of March Anno

Domini one Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty Seven 1787

Signed Sealed & Delivered in the Presence of 

Henry Westbery                                              his

John Laird                                          William O Kenedy       {Seal}

Margert  [?????}                                            mark

Although William stated he lived in Westmoreland County, boundaries have changed since then and it's believed that his residence was in what is now called Elizabeth Township in Allegheny County.

What about William's son Hugh? My ancestor Hugh's 1814 Will left bequests to his children including a son named Henry. However his Henry wasn't the oldest son so next week I'll examine Hugh's will to try to determine if there's a relationship between these two men.