The following transcription was submitted by Karen Souhrada of Pittsford, NY for inclusion at the Genealogy
in Washington Co., PA web site in September 1998.
Last Will and Testament of HENRY HIGBEE
Will Written April 5, 1873
Date of Death May 10, 1873
In the name of God, Amen, I, HENRY HIGBEE, of Union Township County of
Washington, being sick and weak in body, but of sound mind and memory and
understanding (Praise be God for it) considering the certainty of death and
the uncertainty of the time thereof, and to the end I may be the better
prepared to leave this world whenever it shall please God to call me hence,
do therefore make and declare this my last will and testament in manner
following, (that is to say:)
First and principally: I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my
creator, and my body to be buried with as little expense as decency will
permit and that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my
decease as conveniently may be.
Second: I will and bequeath unto my Dear wife MARIAH [ATCHESON] HIGBEE all
my personal property, to make use of it to the best advantage for herself
and family, and to pay her funeral expenses.
Third: I will and bequeath unto JAMES H. HIGBEE thirty five dollars to be
expended by himself in clothes as a freedom, which he has all ready
received.
Fourth: I will and bequeath unto my daughter ELIZABETH C. HIGBEE twenty five
dollars to be expended by herself in clothes as a freedom.
Fifth: I will and bequeath unto SUSAN C. HIGBEE my daughter twenty five
dollars to be expended by herself in clothes as a freedom.
Sixth: I will and bequeath to my son NEWTON H. HIGBEE thirty five dollars
to be expended by him self in clothes as a freedom.
Seventh: I will and bequeath unto my daughter ETHEL B. HIGBEE twenty five
dollars to be expended by herself as a freedom, in clothes.
The above bequests to be paid by my widow or cause to be paid, as my
daughters arrive at the age of eighteen and my son NEWTON H. HIGBEE at the
age of twenty one years.
Eighth: I will and bequeath to my Dear wife MARIAH HIGBEE all the income
and proceeds of all my real estate located in Union Township, Washington
County, adjoining lands of JOSEPH HIGBEE, ----Grunn(?) and others. She is
to occupy and have the control of the same while she remains my widow for
her support and maintenance and the support and maintenance of my three
daughters to the ages of eighteen and son NEWTON H. HIGBEE to the age of
twenty one years, provided they remain at home with their mother.
Ninth: If my widow in the providence of God is called away by death before
my youngest child arrives to the age of twenty one years, then it is my will
that my executor is to have control of the real estate and to rent or lease
it for the benefit of my heirs until my youngest child arrives to the age of
twenty one years, my executor is to sell at public or private sale as he
thinks best and give a sufficient deed for the same and after paying all
expenses, the balance to be equally divided between my heirs to share and
share alike, but if in the Providence of God my widow is living it is my
will she is to occupy and have control as aforesaid until her death, then
the property is to be sold as soon as the executor can by private or public
sale as he thinks best and give a sufficient deed for the same and after
paying all expenses the balance to be equally divided between my heirs to
share and share alike, and I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint
PHILLIP SIMMONS of Snowden Township and County of Allegheny executor of this
my will, hereby revoking and making void all former and other will by me at
any time heretofore made, and declare this only to be my last will and
testament, in witness whereof I the said testator HENRY HIGBEE have to this
day Last will and testament set my hand and seal the fifth day of April A D.
1873.
Witnessed By: GEORGE SEBOLT & WILLIAM TURNER (?).