Will of James I. Hoge 1876
Will of James I. Hogue, Butler Co. PA Willbook F pg. 311, 1877
photocopy from microfilm, Butler Public Library, 1991
In the name of God Amen. I James I. Hoge of Brady Township, Butler County and State of Pennsylvania, being in tolerable good health of Body and of sound and dispensing mind and memory (praised be God for it) and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs whilst I have strength and capacity to do so, 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. First and principally I commit my soul unto the hands of my Creator who gve it hoping for free pardon and remission of all my sins and to enjoy everlasting happiness in the Heavenly Kingdom through Jesus Christ my Savior, my body I commit to my executors herein after named to be interred in my family burying ground. And as to such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to intrust me with, I dispose of the same as follows, viz: First I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Margret Hoge a good and sufficient living during her natural life (or widowhood) which is to be controlled by executors and their assistants, then I authorize my executors to collect all money that may be coming to me at my death and sell all personal property that I may have at that time, except such property as may be necessary for my wife should she survive me. And to sell the wood lot of 17 ac & 68 purches ajoining J. J. Croll if I don't dispose of the same during my lifetime, said J. J. Croll to have the first offer but no preferance all sales to be made either publick or private to the best advantage and when these sales and collections are made then to put all the sales and collections together and after paying all my honest and just debts and expenses, I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Cordelia Lucretia Douglass one thousand dollars, then the balance is to be equally divided between my four daughters share and share alike, namely Jane Kelly, Martha Taggart, Rachel Douglass, and Elizabeth Wimer. And if any difficulty should arise regarding the meaning of any of the aforesaid bequeaths then I allow my Executors hereinafter named to choose three uninterested citizens to their assistance to settle the same and whose decision shall be final and conclusive without further law or litigation. And I do constitute and appoint executors of this my last will and testament with as full power to sell and convey all property ___ in this charge as I myself would have had in my lifetime. In witness whereof I said James I Hoge have hereunto set my hand and seal this 3rd day of February A.D. 1876
James I. Hoge
Signed, sealed declared and published by the above named James I Hoge, as and for his last will and testament, in the presence of us, who at his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
David Keefer, John Staff, John Kocher, Jr.
