Will of James P. Skiles

(Willbook 14, FHL US/CAN Film 1318308)

I James P. Skiles of Thompsonville in the County of Washington and State of Pennsylvania, do _____ and declare my last will and testament to be as follows, viz: I bequeath to my wife Martha all my household goods, out of which she is to give to my son Ebenezer our bedstead, one featherbed and bedding therefor.

I bequeath to my daughter Rebecca the picture now in her possession of my deceased daughter Mary Anne.

I bequeath to my daughter Martha the picture of my deceased daughter Rachel now in the possession of Wm J. Wallace.

I will that my executor sell and convey in such manner and upon such terms as to him shall seem best, all my real estate and that the proceeds thereof, and of my personal property not specifically bequeathed be applied first in payment of my debts and funeral expenses, and that the residue after payment thereof be invested by him during the life of my wife in National State or Municipal bonds, or on first mortgage or real estate that the net income therefrom be paid to her for and during her life and that at her death the principal be divided among my children then living, or hereunto born of my children who are or shall be dead, Such children to take together such share as their parent would have taken if living. In case my wife shall elect to claim to have any part of my of my estate set apart to her by virtue of any statute allowing an exemption in her favor she shall take nothing under this will.

In case any legatee under this will shall present any claim against my estate, he or she so claiming shall receive nothing under my will but shall be excluded and not counted in the distribution.

I do hereby appoint Wm. J. Wallace to be my executor of this my last will and testament.

James P. Skiles {L.S.}

Signed sealed and declared in the presence of us in in the presence of each other and at his request this twenty fourth day of July one thousand eight and eighty-three.

George Guinn
H. D. Gilkison

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Washington County S.S.

Be it remembered. That upon this 5th day of February 1885 before me John F. Cooper, Register for the Probate of Wills and granting Letters of Administration within and for said county came Geo. Guinn and H. D. Gilkeson the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing attached will of James P. Skiles deceased who after being duly qualified according to law depose and say : That they were present at the execution of said will saw the testator sign the same, heard him publish it as and for his last will and testament; that they at his request, in his presence and in the presence of each other subscribed their names thereto as witnesses.

Sworn and subscribed before
John F. Cooper
Register

George Guinn
H. D. Gilkeson

And now Feb 5, 1885; It being adjudged that the said will has been duly proved; it is admitted to probate and letters issued to Wm J. Wallace in said testament named who was qualified by

John F. Cooper
Register

1. Rachel J. Skiles b: ABT 1840 in PA
2. Mary Anne Skiles b: ABT 1842 in PA
3. Rebecca I. Skiles b: 12 SEP 1844 in PA
4. James Hare Skiles b: AUG 1845 in Peters Twp, Washington County, PA
5. John Skiles b: ABT 1849 in PA
6. Nancy Skiles b: ABT 1849 in PA
7. Richard Jordon Skiles b: APR 1852 in PA
8. Ebenezer Skiles b: ABT 1853 in PA
9. Martha E. Skiles b: 1 JUL 1855 in PA

1. Title: 1870 Washington County, PA Census (Peters Twp)
   Text: aged 55
2. Title: 1850 Washington County, PA Census (Peters Twp)
   Text: aged 35
3. Title: 1860 Washington County, PA Census (Peters Twp)
   Text: said he was 48?
4. Title: Samuel McMillan Manuscript
   Author: McMillan, Samuel
   Publication: 1914 (In the 85th year of his life)
   Note: Transribed into electronic format by Jean Suplick Matuson, 1997/1998, material believed to be collected from living relatives of the people listed
   Text: said he was 70 years old at death
5. Title: 1880 Washington County, PA Census (Peters Twp)
   Text: aged 65
6. Title: Gravestone at Center Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Peters Twp, Washington County, PA
   Text: said he died in his 70'th year, Jan 27, 1885
7. Title: Samuel McMillan Manuscript
   Author: McMillan, Samuel
   Publication: 1914 (In the 85th year of his life)
   Note: Transribed into electronic format by Jean Suplick Matuson, 1997/1998, material believed to be collected from living relatives of the people listed
8. Title: Gravestone at Center Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Peters Twp, Washington County, PA
   Text: provided exact date
9. Title: 1870 Washington County, PA Census (West Finley Twp)
10. Title: 1880 Washington County, PA Census (Peters Twp)
11. Title: 1850 Washington County, PA Census (Peters Twp)
12. Title: Gravestone at Center Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Peters Twp, Washington County, PA