NOTE: Thanks are owed to Edward Coates Sinker who provided this transcription of Samuel's will.
I, Samuel Pusey of Drumore Township, in Lancaster County in the State of Pennsylvania being through Divine mercy favored with a good degree of bodily health and with a sound mind memory and understanding, and considering the uncertainty of this life do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following, to wit:
First.- I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be fully paid as soon as well may be after my decease.
Second.- I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah Pusey the free use and occupancy of all those parts of my dwelling house (and garden if needed) which we now occupy, with the rights and privileges thereunto appertaining for the term of six months from and after my decease, and also sufficient fire wood for her use, and keeping for one horse during the said term: And I also give and bequeath to my said wife all the household furniture and kitchen goods that were her property before our marriage, and one hundred dollars' worth in addition thereto to be selected by her at appraisement prices, also my wearing apparel, all the family provisions on hand at the time of my decease, and my horse, riding carriage and harness, with the use of a suitable place to keep them in: And I further give and bequeath to my said wife the sum one thousand dollars to be paid to her within one year after my decease, and an annuity of fifty dollars per annum to be paid to her in two equal half yearly payments of twenty-five dollars each while she lives and remains my widow. All promissory notes or other obligations drawn in favor of her the said Sarah to be her property absolutely in addition to the above; and it is my will and meaning that these bequests to my said wife be in lieu and bar of dower or other portion of an in all my estate, unless she shall otherwise determine. The said legacy of one thousand dollars and annuity of fifty dollars per annum to be paid out of my personal estate.
Third.- It is my will and direct that all my personal property not herein otherwise disposed of be sold my executors hereinafter-named at the earliest suitable time after my decease. The goods and chattels to be sold at public sale, and the stocks as my said executors may think best.
Fourth.- I give and bequeath the annuity derivable from the sum of three thousand dollars at lawful interest which I hereby charge upon and direct to be left in as part of the purchase money (when sold) for all my lands mills messuages tenements and real estate where I have for many years resided, and situated partly in the township of Drumore, Little Brittain and Colerain in Lancaster County aforesaid, to and for the use and support of my daughter Jane Pusey during her natural life; said Annuity to be paid half yearly to Trustees hereinafter-named for this and other purposes, and in case of default of payment thereof or any part of the same at any time or times when due, the said Annuity in arrears to be recovered by the said Trustees in the manner and by the process that rents due upon Leases shall at the time or times be by law recoverable.
Fifth.- It is my will and I direct that all my Real estate wheresoever situated, whether in Lancaster or Chester Counties in this state, or in Wilmington in the State of Delaware or elsewhere; and of and in which I shall die seized, be sold at public sale or sales by my executors for the highest and best prices that can reasonably be obtained therefor, and at the discretion of my said executors as to the time and conditions of Sale, they having regard to that which shall be most advantageous to my Heirs generally;- And I hereby authorize and direct my said Executors to make good and sufficient conveyances of said Real estate to the purchaser or purchasers thereof in fee simple: The said lands mills messuages and tenements with the appurtenances where I reside in Lancaster County aforesaid to be subject nevertheless to the Annuity, derivable from the sum of three thousand dollars of the purchase money at lawful interest payable half yearly for the use and support of my Daughter Jane during her life as hereinbefore directed and bequeathed, and subject to the payment at her death of the said principal sum of three thousand dollars.
Sixth.- I nominate appoint and hereby constitute my sons-in-law Robert Good and Thomas Patterson Trustees under this my last Will, and I request and authorize them or the survivor of them and the executors or administrators of such survivor to nominate and appoint one or more other suitable persons as their substitutes or successors or the substitute or successor of either of them if circumstances should hereafter require or render if proper so to do; An it is my will and desire that the said Trustees have charge as well of the person of my unfortunate Daughter Jane as also of the funds designed for her support as aforesaid, and that they receive the Annuity herein-beforementioned and bequeathed as the same shall become due from time to time and apply it according to their best judgment to and for the purpose of her maintenance and support: And if it shall so happen that said Annuity shall be more than sufficient for said purpose I desire the said Trustees to loan or invest the surplus in such manner as that it may be an addition to the said principal sum and be disposed of in the same manner.
Seventh.- I direct that at the decease of my daughter Jane the Trustees appoint as above-mentioned receive the aforesaid principal sum of three thousand dollars and the addition thereto if any, and that they hold in trust Two equal tenth parts thereof, one of said Tenth parts for the use of the children of my deceased Daughter Mary who was the wife of Lewis Baily and loan or otherwise appropriate the same to the best advantage for them during their minority, and as they shall severally arrive at or shall have attained lawful age to pay to and distribute the said monies equally or equitably amongst them or the survivors or survivor of them. And the other of said two equal tenth parts for the sole and separate use of my daughter Eliza the wife of Jacob Eckman during her natural life, and then to her children:- That is to say the interest or income derivable annually from a loan or investment to be made of the said Tenth by the said Trustees to be paid to my said Daughter Eliza or to her written Order as though she were sole, and at her decease the said Tenth to be applied to the use of and divided amongst all her children (including her Daughter Margaret) in the same manner as above directed in the case of my late Daughter Mary's children: And that the said Trustees pay and distribute the remaining eighth tenths of the said principal sum to and amongst all my other children or their heirs as hereinafter-mentioned in case of the residue of my estate:- And I further authorize and request the said Trustees to receive and take charge also of all other shares of my property and Estate to which my said deceased Daughter Mary's children, and my Daughter Eliza and her children shall respectively be entitled, and apply and dispose of the same in the same manner as above directed with respect to the aforesaid sum of Three thousand Dollars.
Eighth.- I hereby authorize and request the Trustees acting under and by virtue of this Will to charge upon and deduct out of the several sums of money entrusted to their care and confidence such commissions as shall fully and fairly compensate them for their services in executing the said trusts.
Ninth.- Having provided for my beloved wife and Daughter Jane as hereinbefore set forth according to my abilities and sense of duty, I give and bequeath all the Rest, Residue and Reversions and Remainder of my Estate be the same more or less, and of whatsoever name or nature it may be to all my other children, namely, John, Ann the wife of James Brown, Susanna the wife of Robert Good, Mahlon, Joshua, Hannah the wife of Thomas Patterson, Eliza the wife of Jacob Eckman, Leticia the wife of Elli Cott, and Samuel, and the children of my deceased Dauughter Mary Baily to be paid to and for and equally and equitably divided amongst them. That is to say the share or portion thereof to which my said Daughter Mary would have been entitled if living to be for her children in equal parts, or the survivors or survivor of them; And the same with respect to any others of my children named in this Item, if any who shall not be living at the time of my decease; my daughter Eliza's share, however, and also that for my late Daughter Mary's children, to be paid to Trustees for their use respectively, as hereinbefore directed: And in case my Daughter Susanna shall not survive me, and shall leave a Husband the said Robert Good and no offspring it is my will and I bequeath the share of my estate designed for her to him the said Robert Good for his use during his natural life.
And Lastly.- I nominate and appoint my sons John Pusey and Mahlon Pusey Executors of this my last Will written on four pages preceeding this one, and I hereby revoke and annul and make void any and other wills by me at any time heretofore made, and declare this only to be my last Will and Testament: In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-ninth day of the Ninth Month in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Forty-three.
Signed sealed and announced by the said Testator Samuel Pusey as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witness.
SAMUEL PUSEY (SEAL)
John Lovett
Jacob Eckman