Valley of the Shadow
The Eve of War
Fall 1859–Spring 1861

Letters & Diaries

Franklin County Will Book
Pennsylvania State Archives
John Baker


John Baker

Will

In the name of God Amen. I John Baker of the Township of St. Thomas County of Franklin and State of Pennsylvania being sick and weak in body but of sound mind memory and understanding as make and publish this My last will and testament in manner and form following to law[?]. I will and order that all my just debts and funeral expences be paid out of my estate. & I will bequeath to my daughter Catharine Baker her Bed and Bedding together with the Corner Cupboard in the sitting Room also the Clock and the Burea and the Doo[?] [illegible] and six chairs that are standing up stairs. & I will & bequest to my son Henry his Bed & Bedding together with all my working tools belonging to and for the use of my shop with the turning layth to . & I will and bequeath to daughter Mary Ann the dining table in the room together with the Cupboard and Buerow [sic] and the clocks in the kitchen at this present time together with the Bed & Bedding now standing up stairs at the shop window and I also order and direct that my Executors hereinafter named shall pay to my daughter Mary Ann the sum of fifty dollars it being a portion of Fifty dollars [illegible] the share given to my other children. [illegible] I order and direct that my two fether [sic] beds & pillows shall not be sold but shall be divided amongst my children as they may think proper and the remaining part of my personal property I order and direct my Executor to appraise and sell at public sale . . . [illegible part] . . . empower my Executor to sell my house and lot of ground in St. Thomas . . . [illegible part] . . . belonging or intended so to do containing about eight acres . . . [illegible part] . . . to make a good title for the land and to divide the proceeds of this saile [sic] thereof amoungst . . . [illegible part]. . . children equally share and share alike except the fifty dollars which I have willed to my . . .[illegible part] . . . to be taken out for her first and the ballance [sic] then equally divided. I hereby nominate [illegible part] appoint John C. Baker of St. Thomas Township County and State aforesaid my Executor . . . [illegible part] . . . with full power to execute and carry this my will into [illegible] . . . [illegible part] . . . In witness thereunto I have set my hand and seal this 31st [?] . . . . [illegible part].

John Baker

Pennsylvania

Franklin County SS.

Before me George W. Toms Register of the probate of wills so in and for said County personally came John W. Byers and Patrick McGarvey subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of writing who being duly sworn according to law did [illegible] and say that they were personally present and saw John Baker now deceased write his name [illegible] and heard him publish pronounce and declare the [illegible] as and for his last will and testament and that at the time of the doing thereof he was of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding according to the best of their knowledge and belief and that their names thereunto subscribed as witnesses are in their own proper hands writing and done at the same time.

John W. Byers

Patrick McGarvey

Sworn and subscribed this [illegible] day of April 1859, Before me

George W. Toms Regst.

Pennsylvania

Franklin County SS.

April 25th 1859 You John C. Baker do swear that as Executor of the last will and testament of John Baker decd. You will will and truly administer the goods & chattels, rights & credits of said deceased according to law, and also diligently and faithfully regard and will and truly comply with the provisions of the law relating to collateral inheritances.

Before Me--Geo. W. Toms--Register

A true copy taken from the Original Nov. 25th 1859---Geo. W. Toms--Register