DOCUMENTS OF WATSON ANCESTORS WATSON DEED TO ORIGINAL WATSON FARM IN GREENE COUNTY Transcript of deed, executed 10-19-1816, covering farm near Bald Hill, Dunkard Township, Greene County, PA purchased by my 2G Grandfather 16-Joseph WATSON upon the arrival of he and his wife in Greene County in 1816. This property is located north of the Bald Hill Church with its northern boundary on Dunkard Creek. NOTE: The term "perch" used frequently in the second paragraph is a unit of measurement equal to 5 1/2 yards. Deed of Conveyance - Dougal Campbell & Wife to Joseph Watson. This Indenture made the nineteenth day of October in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen - between Dougal Campbell and Mary his wife of Dunkard Township Greene County and State of Pennsylvania of the one part and Joseph Watson of Fayette County and State aforesaid of the other part. Witneseth that the said Dougal Campbell and Mary his wife for and in consideration of the sum three thousand and forty five Dollars current money paid by the said Joseph Watson the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged they the said Dougal Campbell and Mary his wife hath granted bargained and sold and by these presents doth grant bargain and sell unto the said Joseph Watson, his heirs and assigns, part of a tract of Land, called "Barbaras Defeat" Patented to the said Dougal Campbell on this twenty fifth day of November 1805. Situated on Dunkard Creek in Dunkard township Greene County and State of Pennsylvania and bounded as follows viz begining at a sugar tree and by land of Thomas Maple South fifty three degrees West thirty two perches to a post, thence by the Land of the heirs of James Patrige South forty degrees and a half West one hundred and Sixty nine perches and five tenths to a post, thence by Land of Samual Long North twenty one degrees West one hundred and five perches to a white oak and South sixty nine degrees West one hundred and eight perches to a white oak, thence by land of Christopher Brewer North six degrees East one hundred and forty seven perches to a sugar tree, thence by land of Richard Foremans North fifty four degrees East one hundred and twelve perches to a post, and South twenty degrees East fifty four perches to a red oak on the bank of Dunkard Creek, Thence down the same South eight degrees East one hundred perches and South eighty Seven degrees East one hundred and three perches to the place of Begining. Containing two hundred and three acres and allowance of six percent Q, B, and also all trees woods ways, Water courses profits advantages and appertences whatsoever to the said acerages and tract of Land above mentioned belonging or in any wise appertaining, and the reversions and remainders rents advantages and profits of the said premises, and of every part and parcel thereof and all the Estate right title interest claim and demand whatsoever of them the said Dougal Campbell and Mary his wife, of in and to the said land and premises and every part thereof. To have and to Hold the said two hundred and three Acres of Land and all and singular other, the premises, above mentioned and every part and parcel thereof, With the appertances unto the said Joseph Watson his heirs and assigns to the only use & behoof of him the said Joseph Watson his heirs and assigns forever, and the said Dougal Campbell and Mary his wife for themselves and their heirs the said Two hundred and three acres of Land and premise and every part thereof against them and their heirs and against all and every other person and persons whatsoever unto the said Joseph Watson his heirs and assigns shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents. Sealed in the presence of David Taylor Dougal Campbell (Seal) Nancy Taylor Mary Campbell (Seal) Received the day and date above written of the above named Joseph Watson the sum of three thousand and forty five Dollars being the consideration money above mentioned in full received by me. Witness present Dougal Campbell David Taylor ESTATE SETTLEMENT OF JOSEPH WATSON
Transcript of my 2G Grandfather 16-Joseph Watson’s Estate Settlement Watson, Joseph Dec'd - Partition of Real Estate And now towit, June 13, 1853, the Petition of Nelson Watson was presented to the Court, setting forth that he is one of the sons & Heirs at Law of Joseph Watson, late of the Township of Dunkard in the County of Greene, Deceased, that the petitioners said father lately died intestate leaving a Widow, Jane Watson, and issue nine children towit, Eliza, married with Freeborn G. Conway, residing in Monongalia County Virginia, Post Office Morgantown, James residing in Bloomington, McClain County Illinois, John, residing in Greene County Pa, Nelson the Petitioner residing in Greene County Pa., Wesley, residing in Livingston County Illinois, P. O. Reading, Mary married to Joseph McCormick, Jane married to William Rice, Hannah & Nancy the last four named residing in Greene County, Penna. And that the said Intestate died seized in his demise as of fee and in a certain tract situate in Dunkard Township Greene County, adjoining lands of Stephen Maple, John Watson, Amos B., John Furman & others containing two hundred acres more or less, about one hundred of which are cleared & on which are erected a dwelling house, two stories high, two tenant houses, a log barn 46 feet long by 20 feet wide & other out-buildings, also an apple orchard on the premises & excellent coal banks on different parts on the farm, and praying the Court to award an Inquest to make Partition of the premises aforesaid to and among the children & Representatives of the said Intestate, in such manner and in such proportions as by the laws of this Commonwealth is directed, if such partition can be made without prejudice to or spoiling the whole. But if such partition cannot be made thereof, as aforesaid, then to value and appraise the same and make report of their proceedings according to Law & Affidavit Attached. N. Watson Same day Inquest awarded by the Court, July 6, 1853, Exit Writ of Partition. And now to wit; Oct. 3, 1853 David A. Worley Esq. high Sheriff of Greene County, makes the following Return towit; "An inquisition indented and taken at Dunkard Township in the County of Greene aforesaid, this 19th day of Sep. 1853 before David A. Worley Esq. high Sheriff of Greene County, by the oaths affirmation of the Jurors whose names are hereunto annexed, good & lawful men of my Baliwick, who say upon their oaths and affirmations, that, having been taken by the said David A. Worley, high Sheriff, as aforesaid, in his proper person to the premises described in the Writ, to this inquisition attached, and the parties in the said Writ named having been severally named and as many as choose being present that the premises or property aforesaid cannot be parted and divided without prejudice to or spoiling the whole; and therefore that they have valued and appraised the same, and do value the same at the sum or price of twenty three dollars per acre. And that the number of acres contained in said tract is two hundred & twenty three acres & sixty perches strict measure, according to the plot herunto attached, making the whole valuation thereof five thousand one hundred and thirty seven dollars. In testimony whereof I, the said sheriff, as the Jurors aforesaid to this Inquisition have set our hands & seals the day & year above written. D. A. Worley shff. (seal) Aaron Shelby (seal) J. L. McConnel (seal) John Donley (seal John Wilkinson (seal) Daniel Donley (seal) S. C. Orr (seal) Ephraim Everly (seal) Joseph South (seal) Wm. McCluer (seal) Jas. Garrison (seal) Wm. Furman (seal) John Furman (seal) Whereupon same Inquisition confirmed by the Court, Oct. 8, 1853. Rule granted on the heirs to accept or refuse the Real Estate at the valuation & c. (Exit Rule) Served on Eliza Conway & her husband, & on Wesley Watson by publication in the Waynesburg Messenger by four publications, the last of which was ten days before the survey. James B. Watson, John, Nelson, Mary McCormick, Jane Rice, Hannah and the widow waive the service on them (see waiver attached to rule)(Rule returned after the costs were paid.) * * * * *
Dec. 30, 1853, A Recognizance has been filed with the court, the following is a copy to wit; "James B. Watson, John Watson, Joseph McCormick, William Rice acknowledge ourselves to owe the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the use of the Heirs of the said deceased, the sum of ten thousand dollars lawful money to be in lieu of our goods and chattles, lands & tenements. The Condition of the above Recognizance is such, that whereas, by an Inquest awarded by the Orphans Court of Greene County the Real Estate of said Deceased was valued and appraised at five thousand one hundred and thirty seven dollars, which valuation and appraisement has been duly confirmed by the Court, and accepted by the said James B. Watson at said valuation and appraisement. Now if Said James B. Watson, his heirs, Executors and Administrators shall pay to the other Heirs of the said Deceased, their several shares in the said Valuation, according to law, then the above Recognizance to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. Acknowledged in open Court Dec. 30, 1853 before me. -- John Lindsey, Clerk. * * * * *
Sep. 28, 1857. James B. Watson files receipts of Hannah Smith, Eliza Conway, Nelson Watson, B. W. Watson, Mary A. MCormick, Jane Rice, John Watson, for Three hundred and seventy five 38/100 dollars each; being two thirds of the valuation of the Real Estate of Joseph Watson, Dec'd, taken by the said James B. Watson, and in which receipts they authorize the Clerk of the Orphans Court of Greene County to enter satisfaction for two thirds of their interest in the above Recognizance. * * * * *
And now April 9, 1900, this Recognizance is satisfied as per decree of the Orphans Court. (See O. C. Docket No. 19, Page 136 for Decree.) B. N. Freeland, Clk. WILL OF JOHN WATSON
Transcript of Will of my G Grandfather 8-John Watson, executed 10-7-1863. In the name of God Amen, I, John Watson, of Dunkard Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania, considering the uncertainty of mortal life and being of sound mind and memory blessed be Almighty God for the same do make and publish this my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following; I will that all my just debts as shall be by me owing at my death together with my funeral expenses and all charges touching the proving of or otherwise concerning this my Will shall in the first place out of my personal estate and effects be fully paid and satisfied and from and after payment thereof and subject thereunto. Then my will is that all the residue of my property both real and personal I do give and bequeath to my beloved wife until my youngest child becomes of age or as long as she remains my widow for the purpose of raising my family and keeping them together. After this my will is that my property be appraised by three disinterested men chosen by my executors. Then my will is that my beloved wife Louisa have one third of the effects during her natural life and the other two thirds be equally Divided between my children share and share alike, and I do hereby constitute my beloved wife Louisa Executrix and my son Byron W. Watson, Executor ot this my last Will and Testament. October the 7th, 1863. Attest: John Watson Wm. F. Rice. Daniel Donley. (Greene County) SS: Before me Justus F. Temple, Register of Wills and the granting of Letters of Administration within and for said County, personally appeared William F. Rice and Daniel Donley, the two subscribing witnesses to the within instrument of writing as, and for his last Will and Testament, and that at the time of his so doing he was of sound disposing mind, memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge, observation and belief, and that they signed the same as subscribing witnesses at the testators request, and in his presence. Daniel Donley William F. Rice Affd. & Subscribed before me Nov. 3, 1863 Justus F. Temple, Register. WILL OF JOSEPH CHRISTIAN WATSON
Transcript of Will of my Grandfather 4-Joseph C. Watson, executed 12-2-1921. Distribution of estate takes into account that he had transferred ownership of approximately one half of the family farm to his son, 2-Lester, in March of that same year. I, Joseph C. Watson of Monongahela Township County of Greene and State of Pennsylvania being of sound mind and memory, do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, in manner and form following, hereby revoking any will or wills heretofore made by me. First, I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be fully paid and satisfied, as soon as conveniently may be, after my decease. Second, I give and bequeath to my wife Lucretia A. Watson all my property both personal and Real estate. Including money, deposits in Banks Notes and other evidences of indebtedness in my favor, absolutely, during her life time. After her death, the estate to be divided into three equal parts one part to be apportioned to each one of my three daughters, namely Erma W. Umbel, N. Rena Hibbs and Adda Susanna Watson. I do hereby make, constitute and appoint my son, Lester M. Watson, to be Executor of this my Last Will and Testament he to receive one hundred dollars out or the estate for remuneration in place of commissions. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I Joseph C. Watson the Testator above named, have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal, the second day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and twenty one. Joseph C. Watson (SEAL) Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named Joseph C. Watson as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us, who have hereunto subscribed our names at his request as witnesses thereunto in the presence of said testator, and of each other. Spencer M. Donley Holley C. Garrison |