Davis Wills
1873-1897

The following transcription was submitted by Rebecca Davis Pauley of Washington, Pennsylvania for inclusion at the Genealogy in Washington Co., PA web site in May 2000.


1873            JACOB DAVIS                 No book or page given.

            In the name of God, Amen. I, Jacob Davis, of the County of
Washington and State of Pennsylvania being of sound memory understanding and
discretion do make this my last will and devise as follows: After the payment
of all funeral expences if there remain my personal property I give the same
to WESLEY OWENS now intermarried with my sister MARGARET J. this on account
of services rendered during my last Sickness.
            My interest in the real Estate of my deceased father, WILLIAM
DAVIS or the interest that may accrue to me therein I give devise and dispose
of as follows:
        One fourth of said interest I give and bequeath to my sister MARGARET
J. now intermarried with Wesley Owens, to hold in fee simple when the same
shall accrue to her; the remainder of said interest in said Estate to be
equally divided between MARTHA J. now intermarried with MARSHALL MCBRIDE,
NANCY now intermarried with JOSEPH CUSTER, JAMES DAVIS and GEORGE W. DAVIS.
        After the payment of all claims against my interest in the ELIJAH
ROBINSON farm situated in Collin, West Virginia should there be any profits
remaining after my whole interest has been disposed of I give and devise said
profits to my brothers and sisters before named to be divided equally share
and share alike.
I hereby make constitute and appoint THOMAS RAMSEY of Hanover Township,
Washington Co., State of Pennsylvania and JAMES DAVIS my executors to execute
the provisions of the foregoing will and to perform all the duties relative
thereto in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal as my last
will and testament this seventh day of July Anno Domini One Thousand Eight
hundred and seventy three. Signed sealed and executed by said Jacob Davis
above named testator, who in witness hereof have hereunto set our hands and
seals as witnesses in presence of
said testator and of each other:
                                            Jesse C. Bruce  (Seal)
                                            Sarah Anderson  (Seal)
                                            Ephraim Owings (?)  (Seal)

Probated 7 Aug 1873, A. O. Day, Register
Letters of Amin issued to T. Ramsey and J. Davis on same date.

1877    D. C. DAVIS                     Bk. 10, pg 686

        I, D. C. Davis of Washington, Washington Co., Penna. being of sound
and disposing mind, do make and declare this to be my last will and
testament. lst I direct all my just debts to be paid. 2nd I give and bequeath
to my wife, ELIZA, all my estate of every kind, real, personal and mixed, to
be used by her for her own maintenance and the maintenance and education of
our children. 3rd I direct and empower my executor to sell any of my real
estate when in his judgement it should be best to do so. And to invest the
proceeds then of safely, to be used for the purposes stated in the foregoing
clause. 4th I direct that no inventory of my personal property be made or
filed in the Register's office. 5th I hereby appoint my father-in-law, Jacob
B. Rush, my Executor.
In testimony where of I have signed and sealed the above, and declare the
same as my last will, in presence of the following witnesses, who have signed
the same in my presence and in the presence of each other, and at my request,
this 21st day of April, 1877.
                                                D. C. Davis   (Seal)
Witnesses: Charity Rush
            Thomas McKennan

Probated 20th of Dec, 1878 before A.D. Day, Register
Letters of Admin issued to Jacob B. Rush on Dec. 20, 1878

 


1880    LUCINDA ANN DAVIS               Bk. 11, pg. 30

        I, Lucinda Ann Davis, of the Borough of Washington, Pennsylvania, do
make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other
wills by me heretofore made. First, I give and bequeath to my son ZACHARIAH
MCGRUDER all my personal estate, except one dollar. Second, I give and devise
to my two grandchildren, WILLIAM MCGRUDER and LOUISA FRANCIS MCGRUDER, share
and share alike, the house and lot, in fee simple, which I lately purchased
from S. L. WILSON and wife, situate on Walnut Street, in the Borough of
Washington, Penna. adjoining property of WILLIAM STEWART and others. Should
either of my said aforenamed grandchildren die before arriving at the age of
twenty one years, then in that case, the one who survives shall take the
whole of said real estate.
Third, I appoint J. P. MILLER of the Borough of Washington, Penna. Executor
of this my will. Fourth, I give and bequeath to my son JOSEPHUS MCGRUDER, the
sum of one dollar. In witness whereof I have herein to set my hand and seal
and published and declared this instrument as my last will at Washington,
Penna. this fifth day of January A.D. 1880.
                                            Lucinda  X  Davis  (Seal)
The said Lucinda Ann Davis, at Washington, Penna., on the fifth day of
January 1880, signed and sealed this instrument as and for her last will. And
we at her request, and in her presence, and in the presence of each other
have here written our
names as subscribing witnesses. 
                                    J. P. Miller
                                    H. H. Miller

Probated 25 Oct 1881, W. H. Underwood, Register
Julius P. Miller, Esq. qualified as Executor on Sept 5, 1882.

1888        WILLIAM DAVIS               Bk. 15, Page 80
 

            June 6, 1895, affidavit of W. H. Davis filed whereby it appears

that William Davis, late of South Strabane Tp. died on the 21st day of March
1895, between the hours of five and six o'clock P.M.
            The last will and testament of William Davis of South Strabane
Township, Washington County, Pa.
        First: I bequeath to my sister in law ELIZABETH KERR six shares of my
stock in the First National Bank of Washington, Pa.
        Second: I bequeath to my wife, of my personal property and personal
estate what the law would give her if I died without a will, that is, the one
third of the same. If she chooses she can take as part of the same, the
remaining seventy six shares of my First National Bank stock, at the
appraisement, and the house and lot I own on the South West corner of
Wheeling and Franklin Streets, in the borough of Washington, Pa. at the
valuation I ask that the appraisers of my personal estate shall put thereon.
        Third: The appraisers last mentioned shall appraise the home farm on
which I live, in said township, containing about 200 acres, and within sixty
days thereafter my son WILLIAM H. DAVIS shall have the right to elect to take
the same at such valuation and he shall also, within this same time, have the
right to elect to take at the valuations the horses, cattle, sheep and other
stock on said farm, as well the agricultural implements thereon, but my
executor hereinafter named shall see that there is withheld from his share of
the balance of my other personal property as will make my three sons GEORGE,
JOHN and WILLIAM equal in the distribution of my estate.
        Fourth: I direct my executor to sell and convey the about 200 acres
of land I own between my home farm and the borough of Washington, adjoining
heirs of A. WEILLS, MARTINS, D. T. MORGAN HEIRS, JOHN MCCOY, CAPT. SMITH and
others, and dispose of the proceeds as follows the last payment to be
charged, that is to say one third of the purchase money on the land, the
interest on the same to be paid to my wife as long as she lives and at her
death, the principal to be paid to my said three sons, share and share alike,
the other two thirds of the purchase money to be divided amongst my said
three sons in such a way as will make them equal in a distribution of all my
estate.
        Fifth: The balance of my estate, real and personal, I direct my
executor to collect, sell and convey, and divide the proceeds amongst my
three sons, share and share alike, subject to the widow's rights therein my
sons GEORGE and JOHN to be charged with what they over their signatures
acknowledge they have been advanced by me.
        Sixth: I constitute and appoint JOHN AIKEN of the borough of
Washington, Pa. to be the exectutor of this my last will and testament and
direct him particularly to see that my said three sons are made to share
equally in a distribution of my whole estate, subject to my wife's rights as
above recited.
        Seventh: I omitted to say what I intended to say before this, that
is, I direct that my son, WILLIAM H. DAVIS shall pay to his mother, as long
as she lives, the interest, annually, __ the one third of the valuation of
the home farm, above mentioned, and the land is to be bound for the payment
of the same.
        In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 10th
March 1888.
                                            Wm. Davis (Seal)
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said William Davis as and for
his last will and testament and we at his request, in his presence, and in
the presence of each other have subscribed out names as witnesses thereto:

                            Thomas McKennan
                            R. G. Mowry

        I, William Davis, the above named testator do hereby add this first
codicil to the foregoing will that is to say.
        I substitute ELIZABETH M. DAVIS, wife of my son GEORGE, in the place
of her husband as a benificery in my will and give to her all the legacies
and benefits given to my son in such will, so that, however all advancements
made by me to him and debts owing to me by my son GEORGE now or hereafter
shall be deducted from her share and the remainder of such share paid over to
her.
        Witness my hand seal this 20th day of August, 1892.
                                                Wm. Davis  (No seal shown)
Signed, sealed, published and declared by William Davis the above named
testator as and for the first codicil to his last will and testament, in our
presence and we at his request, in his presence and in the presence of each
other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto:
                                Thomas McKennan
                                Boyd E. Zediker

Probated May 10, 1895 by Dr. Thomas McKennan, Witness, before O. M. Hartley,
            Register
To O. M. Hartley, Esq., Register of Wills of Washington Co., Pa.
        Sir: I hereby renounce my right under the law as the widow of William
              Davis, deceased, late of South Strabane Township, Washington
            Co., Pa. to administer upon his estate; and I request that letters
            of Administration, with the will annexed, be granted to John H.
            Murdoch of Washington, Pa.
                                            Mary Davis
            We, the heirs at law, and persons interested in the estate of
            the said William Davis, join in the request that letters be issued
            to John H. Murdoch.
                                    John K. Davis
                                    W. H. Davis

Letters of Admin issued to John H. Murdoch (the executor named having died)
on June 7, 1895. O. M. Hartley, Register.
           
1889        B. H. DAVIS             Bk. 14, pg. 255  (2nd will of B. H. Davis)

            In the name of God, Amen. I, B. H. Davis, of California, County
of Washington and State of Pennsylvania, being of sound mind and memory do
hereby make, publish, and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, in
manner and form following: hereby revoking my will or wills heretofore made
by me.
    First, I direct all my just debts and funeral expenses to be fully paid
and satisfied, as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.
    I give, devise and bequeath all the rest, residue and remainder of my
estate, both real and personal and mixed, that may remain after the death of
my wife, SARAH A. DAVIS, as follows:
    The Homestead property situated on the corner of Third & Wood Streets,
California, Pa. I bequeath to my granddaughter LILLIE J. MULLEN, and if she
should die without heirs, the said property shall go to the children of AGGIE
THEIRKEILD.
    And all the rest, residue and remainder of my estate that my remain after
the death of my wife aforesaid, I bequeath to NESTER MULLIN (sic) and FRANK
DAVIS, LIZZIE DAVIS AND MAGGIE DAVIS, children of ELLETT DAVIS, dec. to share
the same equally alike.
*In witness whereof, I B. H. Davis, the said testator have hereto set my hand
and seal this 5th day of December 1889.
                                        B. H. Davis    (Seal)

Signed, sealed, published and declared, by B. H. Davis, as for his last will
in the presence of us who at his request, have signed our names as witnesses
thereto:
                                        Cary Piper
                                        L. P. Fry

Probated 22nd day of August 1893, J. B. Kennedy, Register
On  Aug 21st of 1893 James Herron turned down the duties of Executor because
of his health. On Aug 22, 1893 Letters of Admin. were issued to G. M.
Eberman. Then on Jan 13, 1892, on affidant of G. M. Eberman states that B. H.
Davis died on the 3rd day of January, 1893 between the hours of nine and ten
o'clock P.M.

1889        HAMILTON DAVIS                  Bk. 12, no page given

        I, Hamilton Davis of the Township of Canton in the County of
Washington and State of Pennsylvania, do make and publish this my last Will
and Testament hereby revoking and making void all former Wills by me at any
time heretofore made: And I dispose of the same as follows: First, I direct
that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my decease as
possible out of the first moneys that shall come into the hands of my
executors from any portion of my estate. Second, I give and bequeath to my
son HARRY NEWTON DAVIS the Black Horse in place of the horse he now owns:
Third, I give and bequeath to my son JOHN WYLIE DAVIS the Bay Campbell Horse:
Fourth, I give and bequeath to my son JOHN my watch & chain, and it is my
desire and will that my son HARRY shall have enough money out of the proceeds
from hauling pipe to buy him a watch & chain of the same value as the one I
gave to my son JOHN. Fifth: I give and bequeath to my beloved wife MARY
GRIZZILLA DAVIS my Roan Horse and Buckwagon. Sixth: The remainder and residue
of my estate both real and personal I give and bequeath to my beloved wife
until my youngest child has arrived at the age of twenty one for the benefit
of herself and my children. When my youngest child has arrived at the age of
twenty one years, it is my will that my executors hereinafter named, shall
sell all my property both real and personal and the proceeds to be disposed
of as follows, viz: one third of the proceeds thereof I give and bequeath to
my beloved wife Mary Grizzilla Davis during her life and at her death the
same to be divided equally among my children and the remainder of the
proceeds I give and bequeath to my children to be divided among them share
and share alike. And I do hereby make and ordain my beloved wife Mary
Grizzilla Davis and my son Harry Newton Davis Executors of this my last Will
and Testament. In witness whereof, I Hamilton Davis, the testator, have to
this my Will written on one sheet of paper, sit my hand and seal, this
Twentieth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and eighty nine.

                                            Hamilton Davis  (Seal)
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named Hamilton Davis, as
and for his last Will and Testament, in the presence of us, who have hereunto
subscribed our names at his request as witnesses thereto in the presence of
the testator and each other:
                            H. L. Snodgrass
                            George O. Jones

Probated  18 February 1889, J. B. Kennedy, Register
Letters of Admin were issued to Mary Grizzilla and Harry Newton Davis same
date.

 


 

1892    SARAH A. DAVIS                  Bk. 14, Pg. 256


        In the name of God, Amen. I, Sarah A. Davis, of California, County of
Washington, State of Pennsylvania, being of sound mind and memory do hereby
make and publish and declare this to be my Last will and Testament in manner
and form following hereby revoking any other wills heretofore made.
        First, I direct my hereinafter named executor to pay all my funeral
expenses and just debts as soon as convenient.
        Second, having already given to my son, C.S. ADAMS his full share I
give and bequeath and devise my entire estate wether Personal or Real to my
two Grandauthers (sic) ELIZABETH A. NORCROSS MATHEWS and MARY L. ARMSTRONG
and my niece ELIZABETH F. IRWIN the three share and share alike after all the
expences is fully paid.
        And lastly, I appoint and constitute as my Executor of this my Last
will and testament my friend, ISAAC C. AILES in witness whereof I have signed
and sealed and published and declared this instrument as my will at
California, Pa. on the 6th day of July 1892.
                                                Sarah A. Davis (Seal)

The said Sarah A. Davis at said place on said day signed and sealed this
instrument and published and declared the same as and for her last will and
we at her request and in her presence and in the presence of each other have
hereunto written our names as subscribing witnesses.
                                        J. S. Beazell
                                        Samuel M. Davis

Probated 22nd day of August 1893, J. B. Kennedy, Register.
Letters of Admin issued to Isaac C. Ailes Aug. 22, 1893
On Aug. 22, 1893 affadavit of Isaac C. Ailes says that Sarah A. Davis, late
of California, Penna. died on 12th day of August, 1893 between the hours of
three and five o'clock P.M.

1897        SAMUEL DAVIS                        Bk. 12, no page no. given.

            July 23, 1897. Affadavit of A. U. Jorden filed whereby it appears
that Samuel Davis, late of California, Pa. died on the 14th day of June 1897,
between the hours of 1 and 1 o'clock P.M.

            In the name of God, Amen. I, Samuel Davis of California, county
of Washington and state of Pennsylvania, being of sound mind and memory do
hereby make, publish and declare this to be my Last Will and testament, in
manner and form following: hereby revoking any will heretofore made by me.
        First: I direct all my just debts and funeral expenses to be fully
paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.
        Second: I will and bequeath to my beloved wife, EMILY __. DAVIS all
my Property Both Personal and Real During her Natural Life without having an
Appraisment and at her Death what ever Remains to go to My Daughter SARAH E.
JORDON and A. N. JORDON, my Son-law to have and to hold absolutely share and
share alike or if Either one Should Die before this comes in their hands then
the surviving one to have all and lastly I do appoint my Son on law A. N.
Jordon to be my Executor to fully settle my estate.
        In testimony Whereof I the said, Samuel Davis have made this my Last
Will and Testament thereof subscribed my Name and Affixed my seal this __ day
of February in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight-hundred and
Ninety-Seven.
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Samuel Davis as and for
his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his Request and in
the presence of Each other, have subscribed our Names thereto as witnesses:    
                                            Samuel M. Davis (No seal)
W. H. Winfield
Isaac C. Ailes

Probated 23 July 1897, O. M. Hartley, Register
Letters of Admin issued to A. N. Jordon.


1897        JOHN K. DAVIS                       Bk. 16, Pg. not given.

        May 19, 1897, affidavit of MARGARET DAVIS filed whereby it appears
that John K. Davis, late of Washington, Pa. died on the 1st day of May 1897,
between the hours of one and two o'clock A. M.
        The last will and testament of John K. Davis of South Strabane
Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
        As to such worldly estate with which the Lord has blessed me, I make
disposition of the same as follows:
        First: My upper farm, in Somerset Township, Washington County,
Pennsylvania, containing about one hundred and thirty acres that I bought
from JOHN BARR, ESQ. adjoining lands of JOHN GAMBLE, JOHN YOUNG, JOHN DORAN,
AL LEYDA, GEORGE YOUNG, HUGH BARR and the Washington and Williamsport Pike, I
will and devise to my son W. E. DAVIS, under and subject to the following
charges, that is to say, the payment by him to my wife MAGGIE A. DAVIS, the
sum of one hundred and twenty five (125) dollars per annum from and after the
date of my decease; and the payment by him to my two daughters, LIZZIE N. and
JENNIE S. each the sum of one thousand (1000) dollars at the end of one year
after my decease. The annuity to my wife, above named, to cease at her death.
        Second: My lower farm that I bought from SAMUEL GAMBLE, containing
about seventy eight acres, in Somerset Township, in said county, adjoining
AL. LEYDA PEES (sic), ALVEY LEYDA, GEORGE YOUNG, HUGH BARR and my upper farm
I will and devise to my three sons, W. S. DAVIS, J. MARQUIS DAVIS AND ALBERT
V. DAVIS, share and share alike, under and subject to the following charge,
that is to say, the payment of Seventy five (75) dollars per annum to my
wife, MAGGIE A. DAVIS for the term of her natural life, from and after the
date of my decease.
        Third:  I will and devise to my wife MAGGIE A. DAVIS the two lots of
ground I bought from SAMUEL THOMAS, on the north side of East Beau Street, in
South Strabane township; also the two annuities above recited, payable by two
oldest sons.
        Fourth: I will my life insurance of $4000. in the Union Central Life
Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, to my wife, my three youngest sons, W.
S., J. MARQUIS and ALBERT V. and my two daughters, LIZZIE N. and JENNIE S.
DAVIS, share and share alike.
        Fifth: The rest, residue and remainder of my estate outside of what
shall have come or may in the future come to me or to my estate or heirs at
law from my father's estate, I will, devise and bequeath to my wife, my two
youngest sons, J. MARQUIS and ALBERT V. and my two daughters, LIZZIE N. and
JENNIE S. share and share alike. Any real estate included in this paragraph
shall be sold by my executor hereinafter named, and conveyed to the purchaser
or purchasers, and the proceeds thereof divided according to the provisions
of this paragraph of my will.
        Sixth: The real and personal estate that may come to me or to my
estate, at any time, from my fathers estate, shall be divided equally between
my wife and my six children, share and share alike.
        Seventh: I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint DUNNING HART of
Amwell Twp, Washington Co., Pa. to be the executor of this my last will and
testament.
        In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 6th day
of June 1891.
                                        John K. Davis  (Seal)
Signed, sealed and declared by John K. Davis, the above named testator, in
our presence, as and for his last will and testament and we,at his request,
in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names
as witnesses thereto:
                    N. R. Baker
                    C. J. McNulty

October 27, 1891, I, John K. Davis, the within named testator, do hereby add
this first codicil to my will, that is to say, in case my wife remarries, the
annuities payable to her by my sons, recited in the first and second
paragraphs of said will, shall cease at and have no existence, after her
remarriage. And I devise and will the proceeds of a sale of the three lots in
South Strabane township, Washington County, Pa. that I bought from JOHN
ROSEBOROUGH, to my two oldests sons, W. E. DAVIS and W. S. DAVIS, share and
share alike, I give my executor full power to sell and convey said lots.
    Witness my hand and seal
                                    John K. Davis  (Seal)
Attest:
W. M. Dinsmore
Cyrus Morrow

            January 13th, 1892, I, John K. Davis, the within named testator,
do hereby add this second codicil to my will, that is to say, I change the
fifth paragraph of said will by bringing my two oldest sons, W. E. DAVIS and
W. S. Davis, into said paragraph, to enjoy equally with the other parties
therein named the benefits therein conferred - that is to say my residuary
estate other than the Roseborough lots and what has come or may come from my
fathers estate shall be divided equally between my wife and my six children,
share and share alike.
Witness my hand and seal this 13th day of January 1892.
                                                    John K. Davis (Seal)
Attest:
A. L. Ashbrook
Grant E. Hess

Probated 19 May 1897, O. M. Hartley, Register
May 19, A.D. 1897, John H. Murdoch deposes and says the handwriting of John K.
Davis is verified to the law's satisfaction. Also, that witness to the will,
W. M. Dinsmore, is now deceased.
Letters of Admin. issued to A. L. Ashbrook and Grant E. Hess on May 19, 1897.

Genealogy in Washington County, Pennsylvania
Last updated: 01/20/2006