Site visitor Bekky Tatar-Kinsey has provided the two wills shown below. This is the Last Will and Testament for her 3rd great grandfather, John Frank Mankowski, and her 2nd great grandfather, Theodore Charles Mankowski. Any questions or comments concerning this family should be sent directly to Bekky Tatar-Kinsey.

Last Will and Testament of John Frank (Jan Franciszek) Mankowski

Erie County Courthouse File # 25285 Vol. 15 Page 178 Blk. 6

(b. 21 Jul 1845 / d. 21 Aug 1908)

Item. I give and devise my farm containing forty acres of land, situate in Harborcreek Township, Erie Co., Pa., on which I now live, and which was deeded to me by Thomas Weber by deed dated March 14th, 1893 and recorded in Deed Book 108 page 294, unto my daughter Helena and her husband Antoni Mizikowski, with the right of survivorship as tenants by the entireties, their heirs and assigns forever; subject however to the payment of the amount which may be due or owing at time of my decease upon a mortgage thereon, which mortgage was originally given to secure balance of purchase money, and which is recorded in Mortgage Book No. 20, page 663; also subject to the payment, within five years after my decease, without interest, of the following bequests:

1st. I give and bequeath unto my sons John, Charles, Joseph and my daughter Mary, intermarried with Michael Baranowski, the sum of $100 each respectively, and the sum of $50 each to Leo and Theofil Mankowski, to be paid from and charges upon said farm. 

Item.  I give and bequeath unto my daughter Helena and her husband Antoni Mizikowski, the right of survivorship as tenants all of my personal property, farm tools and implements, live stock, etc, contained on my farm at the time of my decease. 

Item. I direct my son, John Mankowski to pay all my funeral expenses from the life insurance money, which by the terms of my policy is payable to him.

Item.  It is my desire and I hereby direct my said daughter Helena and her husband Antoni Mizikowski, that they maintain, care for, protect and educate my son Theofil Mankowski, and provide a home for him in their family until he shall arrive at age 16 and I hereby appoint my daughter Helena and her husband Antoni Mizikowski, guardians of the person and estate of my said son Theofil.

Lastly. I nominate as my executors of this last will and testament my daughter Helena and her husband Antoni Mizikowski.

In witness whereof, I, John Mankowski, the testator, have to this my last will set my hand and seal this eighth day of August, A.D. 1908.

Signed John Mankowski

Witnesses - Jozef Graczyk and Lorenez Stachowski

Last Will and Testament of Theodore Charles Mankowski
a.k.a. Theodore Mankowski or T. C. Mankowski

Erie County Courthouse File # 63575 Vol. 20 Page 261 Blk. 3

(b. 09 Nov 1874 / d. 18 Apr 1954)

Know all men by these present that I, Theodore C. Mankowski, also known as T. C. Mankowski, of the City of Erie, County of Erie, State of Pennsylvania, being of sound mind, memory and understanding do make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament in manner following, to-wit:

First – I order and direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be first paid and settled by my Executors hereinafter named.

Second – I order and direct that my household goods and effects be amicably divided among my four children, viz. – Raymond T. Mankowski, Clara Tatar, Celia Jares and Angela Angelotti.

Third – All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate real, personal and mixed, whatsoever and wheresoever at the time of my decease, I order and direct to be converted into money, and for that purpose I do hereby authorize and empower my Executors, hereinafter named, and the survivor of them, to sell and convey my real estate, as soon as possible for the best price or prices that can be gotten for the same, either at public or private sales or sales, upon such terms and conditions as shall deem them best; and when sold, to grant, convey and assure the same to the purchaser or purchasers thereof, by good and sufficient deed or deeds, to be duly acknowledged and perfected.  And when my said residuary estate has thus been converted into money, I order and direct that the same be disposed of as follows:

            One fourth thereof to my son, Raymond T. Mankowski, his heirs and assigns;

            One fourth thereof to my daughter, Clara Tatar, her heirs and assigns;

            One fourth thereof to my daughter, Celia Jares, her heirs and assigns;

            One fourth thereof to my daughter, Angela Angelotti, her heirs and assigns

Lastly – I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my son, Raymond T. Mankowski, and my daughter, Clara Tatar, Executors of this my last will and testament.  And I direct that Charles A. Mertens be employed as attorney in the settlement of my estate. 

In witness whereof, I, Theodore C. Mankowski, also known as T. C. Mankowski, the testator, have to this my will, typewritten on two sheets of paper, set my hand and seal, this 9^th day of November, 1945.

Signed Theodore Mankowski