Will of Archibald St. Clair, 1841
Will of Archibald St. Clair, 1841, Butler County Court House, Register of Wills office, Estate Files #S-88; Microfilm at Butler Public Library, Vol. B p.308
In the name of God Amen. The sixteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundren and forty-one Archibald St. Clear of Center Township Butler County and State of Pennsylvania being through the blessing of God in a sound state of mind and memory but calling to mind the frail tenure of this life and that it is apointed to all men to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament that it so say principally and first I recommend my soul to Almight God who gave it and the disposal of my body I leave to the entire discretion of my friends.
With respect to my estate I give bequeath and dispose of it in the mode and manner following to wit:
First I bequeath to my daughter Elisabeth and her husband Christy McMichels (inserted note illegible) fifty acres of the place on which I now live to be run off the east side of the tract ajoining Samuel Thompson by a line running from north to south the whole length of the tract to the ___line acording to a former agreement to be his final share.
Second as for my other real or personal property that is mine at the time of my decease either land money bonds or notes after all my lawful debts and funeral expenses are paid I alow that all my property be divided equally among my children share and share alike and if any of my children that are or may be dead before me that have children I alow them all to have an equal share in that share which would have been their fathers or mothers had they been living and also the bonds that I hold on my son John St. Clear which I am to take in (___) or trade if me or my executor offer any of this property to any of the legatees at a fair valuation and they refuse to take it by such refusal they forfit their title to that much of my estate and property and that property or the price of it to be equally divided amongst the ___ of the ____. and also I do ordain and alow my Executor after my decease to give Archibald Hoge the first offer of buying my land at a fair price and a reasonable time to pay it in and if he refuses then to give the next chance to Christy McMichle and if he will not purchase then he is at liberty to do the best he can with it sell or rent and divide the money as above states. I also reserve half an acre of land where the graveyard is to be laid off including the graveyard and out to the west line of the place to be laid out according to my direction.
I do apoint Hugh Stevenson to be Executor of this my last will and testament here by revoking all former wills by me made in witness whare of I have set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
Archibald St. Clair
Signed sealed and published and delivered by the above named Archibald St. Clear to be the last will and testament in thepresence of us at his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as Witnesses thare unto.
James Stevenson
Henry Stevenson
I have made the following distribution of all the household and kitchen furniture which I alow to make at present and as equal as I can amongst my Daughters which I alow to be final and not come into the other acount of the estate at all.
N B I also alow at my death my daughter Elisabeth McMichael to get all my bedding and bedcloathes for care and kindness to me.
Archibald St. Clair
