Cox Characters
Conclusions to Confusions
Part 2: Chapter 5
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Last Will and Testament of Michael Cox Sr. |
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Michael's will is dated 26 November 1814. He died only two months later, on 24 January 1815, as we learn from Joseph’s letter (to see transcript * click here *). Joseph, the youngest of Michael and Elizabeth, inherited part of the farm, but died in 1816, leaving three minor children and his widow, Mary Doney Cox.
The will offers precious genealogical information. We learn the married names of his daughters. I do believe that Michael meant to give each daughter $200.00 for herself and her children—but it did not turn out that way. If Rosanna’s five children had each received forty dollars instead of four dollars, then each family would have received $200.00 total.
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Michael Cox Know all Men by these presents that I Michael Cox Senior of Luzerne Township, Fayette County and State of Pennsylvania Yeoman considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being weak in body but perfectly sound in mind & memory blessed by God for the same do make and publish this my last will & testament in manner and form following— First it is my will & desire that my funeral expenses & all just debts that may be incurred during my life should be punctually paid by my Executors hereafter named as soon as arrangements for that Purpose can be made after my decease— Secondly it is my will & desire that the tract of land I now live on should be divided by a straight line on an east & west direction in such order as to have one hundred acres strict measure on the north side, to include the dwelling house & in which I now live, adjoining Thomas Gregg & others, and as arrangements can be made for this purpose after my decease, it is my desire that the aforesaid one hundred acres of land strict measure should be sold by my Executors to the highest bidder & the monies arising from such sale, as well as the money due me by notes or other wise to be disposed of & divided in manner & form hereafter Stated— Third the balance or residue of said tract of land on which I now live supposed to contain fifty six acres be the same more or less lying on the south side of said division adjoining Clemant Curtis, Nemrod Gregg & others— I give and bequeath to my youngest son, Joseph Cox his heirs & assigns forever together with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging— Fourth I give and bequeath to my eldest son, Michael Cox, Junior four hundred and eighty six dollars & 14 cents together with a Book account of One hundred & thirteen dollars & 86 cents making the whole six hundred dollars. To the children of my Eldest daughter Rosanna Homan deceased-to wit-Michael, Eber, Peter, & Amos Homan I give & bequeath to each of them respectively four dollars—to my second daughter Elizabeth now Elizabeth Langly & her five children vis Michael, John, James, Margaret & Cathrine (Bamon) or (Bauson)—I give & bequeath to each of them respectively thirty three dollars and thirty three cents—to my third daughter Margaret Fry & her six children to wit – Andrew, Elizabeth, Barbery, Joseph, Rosanna & Margaret—I give & bequeath to each of them respectively twenty eight dollars & fifty seven cents to my two Daughters to wit — Eve Deem & Christine Hull — I will and bequeath to each of them respectively two hundred dollars a piece It is further my will and desire that the several sums of money or legacies aforesaid shall be paid to the respective legatees herein named who have become of age in one year after my decease & the minor children above mentioned to be paid as they become of age except the legacies given to my daughter Elizabeth and Margaret I do order my Executors to retain & give it out to them respectively at discretion — the residue of such money that I may die possessed of It is my will and desire that it should be equally divided among my children namely, Michael, Jacob, Peter, Martin & Joseph Cox and my daughters Elizabeth, Margaret, Eve and Christine affd the dividend that my however belong to my daughter Elizabeth and Margaret to be retained by my Executors & given out them as aforesaid — And for the Purpose of carrying the foregoing into effect-I do hereby Constitute and appoint my eldest son Michael Cox Junior & George Dearth Executors of this my last will & testament hereby revoking all others theretofore made by me In witness of all to each of the things herein contained I have set my hand & affixed my seal this 26th day of November in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fourteen.
Signed Sealed published &
declared Clement Curtis, affirmed
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Comparing this signature with three other signatures of Michael Cox, it is obvious that this is not his own hand because you can actually read it!
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