The following transcription was submitted by Charles T. DeFrance" of DeLand, FL for inclusion at the Genealogy
in Washington Co., PA web site in December 1997.
Charles writes:
Additions to the transcription are enclosed in parentheses ( ). Questions of readability are enclosed in brackets [ ]. This will was recorded in Washington Co, PA Courthouse Vol 14, Pg 471.
WILL OF HUGH C. DeFRANCE
In the Name of God, Amen.
I, Hugh C. DeFrance of Chartiers township County of
Washington 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 all my just debts and funeral expenses to be
fully paid and satisfied, as soon as conveniently may be
after my decease.
I bequeath and give to Margaret L. DeFrance my wife one third
of all the real estate both home and Mill property and five
hundred dollars in money.
The remaining two thirds of the real estate, both home and
mill property, I give to my daughter Olive Kate Lacock after
all the expenses upon the properties are liquidated, settled
in full.
I direct that my interest in the Mill property not to be sold
or exchanged till my executor deems it advisable.
I will, bequeath, and give to my wife Margaret L. DeFrance
all the household and kitchen furniture, and direct that she
shall have the use of the home property to live upon and
occupy the same until deems advisable to sell the same.
I give to My wife Margaret L. DeFrance, and daughter Olive
Kate Lacock the horse and buggy co-jointly, and the use of
same as mutually agreed upon by them.
I bequeath and give to my wife Margaret L. DeFrance the cows
and the use of same. With feed from the Grist Mill sufficient
to maintain them and also feed for the horse.
I direct that my wife Margaret L. DeFrance shall have
sufficient flour from the Grist Mill for house use till the
Mill is sold.
I will, bequeath and give to my Grand-daughter Elva Earl
Lacock one hundred dollars to be invested in a Gold watch and
chain for her use.
I give to my son-in-law S.A. Lacock my silver watch, Shot
gun, and all the tools Carpenter and otherwise.
I direct that should a gas or oil well or wells be located on
the home or Mill property, the income of either or both to be
used in liquidating the debts till all are paid after that to
be equally divided between my wife Margaret L. DeFrance and
my daughter Olive Kate Lacock.
I further direct that S. A. Lacock shall be my executor, with
full power to settle my estate as above directed.
(Signed) Hugh.C. Defrance December 23rd 1887
Witnesses --
(Signed) Daniel Day
(Signed) J.B. Donaldson
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
Washington County. SS.
Personally appeared before me, O.M. Hartley Register for the
Probate of Wills, &c., in and for the County of Washington,
S.A. Lacock who after being duly qualified according to law,
deposes and says, that, Hugh C. Defrance late of Chartiers
Twp. died on the 21 day of July 1894, between the hours of 10
and 12 o'clock, P.M.
(Signed) S.A. Lacock
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 1st day of Aug 1894.
(Signed) O,M. Hartley Register.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Washington County, SS:
BE IT REMEMBERED, That upon this 1st day of Aug 1894, before
me O.M. Hartley Register for the Probate of Wills and
granting Letters of Administration within and for said
county, came Daniel Day & J.B. Donaldson the subscribing
witnesses to the foregoing attached Will of Hugh C. Defrance
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 [....]
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.
(Signed) Daniel Day
(Signed) J.B. Donaldson
Sworn and subscribed before
(Signed) O.M. Hartley Register.