Janis' Genealogy Site

The last will and testament of Evan James of West Nantmeal township, Chester county. I Evan James being very weak and sick in body but of sound mind memory and understanding blessed be God for the same. Do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say) after the discharging of my debts and funeral expenses including the putting a head and foot stone to my grave and the like to the grave of my daughter Hannah late deceased I give and bequeath my estate in the following manner to wit

Imprimis. I give to my son William James eleven acres of land to be cut off of the east end of my plantation during his natural life and at his decease to go to his two youngest children Rachel and Evan and their heirs and assigns provided he pays off a certain obligation from himself to Jonathan Millard wherein I am security.

Item. I give to my son Jesse James Esqr the sum of eight hundred dollars and one horse in lieu of his services since of age.

Item. To my daughter Sarah I give four hundred dollars and a bed and bedding.

Item. To the children of my Brother George James, I give fifty dollars to be paid them when legally demanded after the settlement of my estate. It is my will and desire that my real estate shall be sold by my executor at any time within five years of my decease either at public or private sale and I hereby authorize him to make and execute sufficient deed or deeds to the purchaser or purchasers in fee simple.

Item. To the children of my son Abner James late deceased I give one fourth less than an equal division of the rest of my estate among my other children namely Mary, Sarah, and Jesse and the heirs of my son Evan.

Item. To my children Mary, Sarah, Jesse and the heirs of my son Evan I give and bequeath all the remainder of my estate real and personal to be equally divided between them.

And lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my son Jesse James Esqr the sole executor of this my will hereby revoking all other wills and declaring this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fifth day of November anno domini One thousand eight hundred and twenty five. (The legacy to my daughter Mary to be at her own disposal.) The legacy to the heirs of my son Evan is not to be paid them until they are respectively twenty one years of age.

Evan James (seal)

Signed sealed published
Pronounced and declared
By the said testator as his
Last will and testament
In the presence of us
Who in his presence and
At his request have
Subscribed as witnesses

Thos Millard
Thomas Butler Senior