John Roberts Estate Supporting Documents (Transcription and notes Copyright Margaret E. Rockenbeck 2004)

SURNAMES (all spellings that appear in this document):  BRADY, BREDIN, BROWN, CAMPBELL, CANON, CARROLL, CHRISTY, CLOCKEY, CLOCKY, CLOHY, CLOHEY, CLOKEY, COALMAN, COLEMON, CUNNINGHAM, EBBETT, EMERY, GAULT, GIFFERS, GILMORE, HAIR, HARE, HUTCHENSON, HUTCHESON, KERR, KIRK, JACKSON, LAUGHLIN, LEATHERMAN, LEDLIE, LYON, MAGILL, MCCALL, MCCOOK, MCCOY, MCGILL, MILLER, MUNRO, MURDOCH, PATTERSON, POTTS, RIDDLE, RITCHIE, ROBARTS, ROBERTS, ROCKENBECK, ROSS, ROUSENBURGER, ROUSHINGBURG, RUSSEL, SAMPLE, SPRATT, STEEN, SULLIVAN, UMBERGER, WALKER, WALKINSHAW, WALLS, WATSON, WEAVER, WELLS, WHITE.  There are a number of surnames common to more than one individual mentioned herein, and some names are mentioned many times; be sure to search the entire document.

The following items have been transcribed by Margaret E. Rockenbeck (a great-great-great-granddaughter of John Roberts*) from copies made from microfilms at the Washington County, Pennsylvania courthouse in May, 2003.  Each item refers to a separate piece of paper, handwritten, documenting one or more transactions in the settling of the John Roberts estate, which took almost four years to complete.  John Roberts’ will was made on February 14^th, 1821, death occurred on February 15^th, 1821, the will was registered at the courthouse on February 23^rd, 1821 and a son-in-law was released from an executor’s bond in January of 1825.

The items are numbered in the order in which they appeared in the file folder during the copying process.  Please note that this order could change if the items become re-arranged in the folder, a distinct possibility since they are on small, irregular slips of paper. The “[?]” immediately following a word or number, or in place of a word or number, indicates an item that the transcriber could not confidently read, either because of poor copy or inability to interpret handwriting.  In some cases, judgments were made (i.e., is this an “e” or an “a” or an “o”?) based on other available samples of a person’s handwriting.  Anything in square brackets, thus: [ ], is added by the transcriber.  Spellings, capitalizations and punctuations have been left as they were, with the exception that old-fashioned handwritten abbreviations have been changed for ease of transcription, i.e., the small superscripts, dots and other flourishes commonly used at the time in abbreviating such words as “Reverend” or “Deceased” or “Decedent” have been changed to “Rev’d.” or “Dec’d.” or “Dec’t.”  Items obviously written in error and then crossed out by the original writer have been omitted.  There are many variations in spelling of names and other words, and every attempt has been made to record them exactly as written.  The reader may assume the repetitive use of “sic” throughout.  In case it should matter, readers are of course cautioned to refer to the original documents.  While some attempt has been made to reflect the layout of each item, for ease of comparison with the originals, the layouts are in some cases quite different from those shown here.  ________________________________

* John ROBERTS>Juliet ROBERTS (UMBERGER)>Edmund Roberts UMBERGER>Henry Good UMBERGER>Edmund Henry UMBERGER>Margaret Ellen UMBERGER (ROCKENBECK)

1.  Article of agreement made by and between Mr. Joseph Clockey Executor of the Estate of John Roberts Dec’d of the ann [? i.e., as in “annum”=“year”?] past, and Moses Walker and Daniel McCook overseers of the Poor of the Borough of Canonsburg of the other Part Witnesseth—Whereas the Estate of the said John Roberts Dec’d. is bound to the Overseers of the Poor of the said Borough in a Bond calling for annual installments, of thirty Dollars each.  And as the said Joseph Clockey has paid to the said overseers the sum of Forty-three Dollars and 91 cents in part [? pa’t = payment?] of moneys due, said overseers—the said Walker and McCook as overseers as afforesaid do by virtue of this article, Indemnify said Joseph Clockey as Executor afforesaid, from any cost, difficulty trouble or Expence that may arise from said Clockey paying over the above amt of Forty three Dollars and 91 cents to overseers afforesaid, witness our hands and Seals this 1 August 1822  [signed] Daniel McCook (seal) Moses Walker (seal)

This Bond is given by virtue of an act passed July the 22^nd 1822 by the town Council of said Borough.

[NB:  the document was apparently written by Daniel McCook and signed by both overseers.]

2.  Executors of the Estate of John Roberts Dec’t.

            1821                                              Craig Ritchie                              Dr.

            Febry 15^th    For[?]       1 pr. Stockings 100                                    $1.00

                “      “         “            1 Pitcher  63 c 1 pr white gloves 63 c          1.26

                “      “         “            4 yd [? Looks like ch.] muslin @ 62 ea       2.50

                “      “         “            1 qrt [?] wine                                               1.00

                “      “         “            1 pr Blk Stockings                                       1.00

                                                                                                                  $6.82

            Rec’d. Canonsburgh February 1^st 1822

            The above account in full from Joseph Clokey Executor of the Estate

            Of John Roberts Dec’d.

                                                For Craig Ritchie

                                                [Signed] John Ritchie

[NB:  The entire document was written by John Ritchie.]

3.  Received from Joseph Clokey executor of the estate of John Roberts dec’d.:  Eight dollars in full for my services as clerk at vendue & appraisment of his goods

Nov 3^rd 1824

                                                John Ritchie

4.  [This four-line receipt is very faint, almost impossible to read, except for the signature, but is approximated from internal evidence elsewhere in the accounts.]

Rec’d. by Wm Sample….$1.00….from Joseph Clohey executor of the estate of John Roberts for printing a statement & a list…..[Signed] Wm. Sample

5.  Richard Carroll Ad’tr. Of Riddle, Dec’d. vs. John Roberts—Judgment in the Common Pleas of Washington County—Washington July 31^st 1822—Rec’d of Joseph Clokey Executor of John Roberts Dec’d the hundred Dollars on account of the judgment in this case, and if there shall be any surplus after the payment of the debt interest & Costs in this case, the balance of this payment is to be applied to the judgment of Jackson’s Ex’tr. Against said Roberts--$100       [Signed]  John L. [S? P?] Brady

[and, possibly in another hand, at the bottom, “No 241 March 1822” [or possibly “1820”]

6.  Washington County [followed by an abbreviation, perhaps for Pa.?]

            Before the undersigned one of the justices of the peace in and for said County personally appeared John Watson Esquire and John Ritchie who upon oath declared the within appraisment of the goods & chattles of the late John Roberts dec’d. to be just and true.

Sworn and subscribed before                                                                    [Signed] John Watson

me the 27^th day of Febry. 1821                                                                       [Signed] John Ritchie

            [Signed] Craig Ritchie

[NB:  Document, except for two signatures, written in the hand of Craig Ritchie, Sr.  The piece of paper used for this receipt was originally the folded wrapping in which John Watson and John Ritchie had presented their list entitled “An Inventory of the goods and Chattles of the late John Roberts”…etc., which has been transcribed elsewhere in this file, at the courthouse.  Additional writing on this page is the title “Inventory and appraisements John Roberts Deceased---17/1824—Exhibited March 8^th 1821, all written in the hand of an unknown courthouse clerk.]

7.  Rec’d. May 10^th of 1824 Joseph Clokey three dollars for Letters of Administration &c on the Estate of John Roberts dec’d..      [Signed] For Sam’l. [?] Lyon

            `                                   Sam’l Cunningham

8.  Rec. 12^th Oct—1823 of the Rev’d. J. P. Miller Executor, with the will annexed of the estate of Jn. Roberts deceased, by the hand of Jeremiah Emery Esq. Twenty dollars.  [Signed] S. [?] Murdoch                 

9.  Received of Joseph Clokey Administrator of the Estate of John Roberts deceased fourteen dollars and Sixtysix cents it being for medicine and attendance this 23^rd day of February 1823

                                                                                                                  [Signed]  Jonathan Leatherman

10.  [NB:  This piece of paper contains two separate receipts in two hands.  It is torn at the top, and begins witih the word “your” which apparently belongs with the torn-off part.]

            January 1822

Received from Joseph Clokey Executor of the Estate of John Roberts Deces’d thirty Dollars in full for three Sessions tuition for his Sons at Jefferson College and Recved by me--$30—[Signed] And’w. Munro FPT

[The meaning of the three letters Munro affixed after his name is not known to the transcriber.]

November 14^th 1822

Received of Mr. Joseph Clokey one of the Executors of the Estate of John Roberts dec’t  Two dollars & Ninety-six Cents in full of the County Tax in the Borough of Canonsburg for the year 1821-22.

$2.96                                                                                                         [Signed] Richard Miller Col. [?]

11.  Jackson Exectrs. vs. Roberts Exectrs.:  Rec’d. Nov. 20^th 1822 of Joseph Clokey Executor of John Roberts dec’d. Ninety One Dollars on account of the judgment in this Case--$91

                                                [Signed] John L. Brady for pl/f [?] [meaning of this abbrev. is unknown to transcriber]

12.  [NB:  This piece of paper contains three receipts.  The first was apparently written to John Roberts while he was alive and perhaps was in his possession when he died.  The other two were added later by others.]

Received Jan. 13^th 1821 from John Roberts fifteen dollars it being in full for the mony coming from Said Roberts to Ann Christy up to December 1^st 1819    [Signed] John Watson

March 14^th, 1821

Received of Joseph Clokey Executor of the Estate of John Roberts dec’t. $3.4 Cents in full of the County [followed by illegible mark] Poor tax for the years 1820-21 in Canonsburgh  $3.04

                                                                                                                  [Signed] Richard Miller Col.

24^th March Rec’d. from Joseph Clokey Executor of John Roberts Deces’t. Six Dollars for Crying Vendue by me—$6.00                                                                                                 [Signed] Char’ls. Munro

13.  23^rd May 1821 then Rec’d from Joseph Clokey Executor of John Roberts Deces’t ten Dollars in full for a Coffin and Case & Recv’d. by me  [Signed] Joshua Ledlie

28^th May 1821 Recv’d from Joseph Clokey four dollars and Ten Cents for Pressing a piece of Cloth for John Roberts De’d. after his death [Signed] David Wells [?]

[NB:  Although the final estate accounting lists this bill paid for “Fulling” cloth, to the transcriber’s eye this receipt looks like it says “Pressing.”]

21 Nov’r. 1821 Recv’d from Joseph Clokey one Dollar fifty two cents for Road tax for 1820-21  Due by the [abbrev. not clear, possibly “Est.” for Estate] John Roberts Decest. And Recved by me—[Signed] John McCall

14.  24^th October 1824 amount of all Rents Nots and Due Bills Recv’d. by me from the Estate of John Roberts Decest. Up to this Date                                                                                                $157.00

Also Recve’d from Ledger Day Book---------------------------------------------------------------    91.31

And Intrist up to this Date-----------------------------------------------------------------------------$248.31

                                                [Signed] Joseph Clokey

                                                book accts since rec’d.                                                       7.2

15.  all Expences paid by me for which I have no Recpt. to produce is $6.25  [Signed] Joseph Clokey

16.  Butler June 10 1824 Rec’d. of John Gilmore Esq.

Thirty nine dollares & twenty eight [written twice] cents

Redemption money on No. 247 Cunningham’s district Butler County one hundred & twenty five acres sold at Treasurers sales in 1822 in the name of William Russel to John Bredin [?] Esq.

$39.28                                                                                                       [Signed] John Sullivan Treas.

17.  Daniel McCook and Moses Walker Over Seers of the poor for the Borough of Canonsburg

                                                                 vs.

       Joseph Clokey Executor of John Roberts Dec’d.:

Judgment Entered up against Dec’t. on amount of a Claim of Ann Christy on 25^th April 1821 for   $36.40

                                                                                                                        Interest---------------         2.36

                                                                                                                    Justice fees ----------            31 ¼

                                                                                                                                                    $39.07

Received the above thirty nine dollars and Seven Cents from Joseph Clookey the [can’t read abbrev. or short word] April 3 1823                                                                                    [Signed] John Watson

18.                                            John Roberts Dece’d.

                                                                             to David White-----                                       Dr.

            1818  Sept  29^th               to    your subscription 1 Quarter--------------------------             2.00

             1819  Aug   11                to    teaching  11 Days  ------------------------------------       .27

             1820                                to    runing your lines--------------------------------------      1.00

             1821  Jan’y 24                to    Cuting Wood-------------------------------------------        .75

                          “     27                to    Drawing Wood-----------------------------------------       .75

                       Feb.   10                to    3 Bushels Corn-----------------------------------------       .75

                                                                                                                                    $5.52

Rec’d. March 11^th 1822 two Dollars Eighty cts. Account by me [Signed] David White

$2.80

[NB:  It is unclear what kind of “teaching” could be valued at 27 cents for 11 days, yet the handwriting seems very clear.  There is no indication in the accounts that White was ever paid the balance still owed to him of $2.72.]

19.             1820  John Roberts in Act. with John Weaver

                          March   % one day hauling Rails-------$3.00

                           April 26^th   %  building walls for

                                             Necessary--------------------   1.50

                                                                                       4.50

                                                                                              10

            Washington County for[?] Probate

            [Seal]  Personally come before me a Justice of the peace in and for said County John Weaver who being duly Sworn Saith that the above Account of four dollars and fifty Cents against the estate of John Roberts Dec’d. is Just  Sworn and witnesseth [?] the 21^st day of December 1821

                                                                                                                  [Signed] John Weaver

[Signed] John Watson

Nov. 14^th 1821 I Acknoledge the Rec’t. of the above Act. [Signed] John Weaver

[This account was written and kept by John Roberts for his transactions with John Weaver.  It is in his own handwriting down through the “4.50.”  At some later time someone added the “10”, and John Weaver was  actually paid $4.60.  This writing is crucial in unraveling the “which John Roberts?” puzzle, in that it contains his name in his own handwriting.]

20.        Washington october 14^th 1824

            Received of Mr. Joseph Clocky one of the executrs of the estet of John Robarts decesced two Dollars the balance of a proven account against said estate---         [Signed]  Isaiah Steen

21.  Washington Nov. 15^th 1824--   Rec’d. of Joseph Clokey executor of John Roberts Dec’d.  Fifty Dollars (in a note in favor of Wm. Patterson assigned to David L. Miller & by him to said Clokey, for the sum of $100 pay’bl 1^st Ap. 1826) in full [?] of the claim of Parker Campbell & Jno. S. [or L?] Brady for professional services rendered said estate—

                $50                                                                         [Signed]  John L.[or S?] Brady &

                                                                                                          John L.[or S?] Brady Exec’tr

                                                                                                          of P. Campbell  Dec’d.

[It is unclear how David L. [or S?] Miller relates to this transaction.]

22.  Joseph Clockey Executor of John Roberts Dec’t. &c to Charles Munro for Cost vs. E. Hair-----------90

                                                                                                                                Do. vs. James Gault-----25

                                                                                                                                Do. vs. John McCoy--1.72 ½

           Oct. 13^th 1824                                                                          Rec’d. the above fees in full           2.87 ½

                                                                                                              from Joseph Clockey

                                                                                                            [Signed]  Charles Munro Const.

23.  Joseph Clokey Executor of John Roberts Dc.  Vs

            Robert Spratt                Page 54      my fees                  14

            Ebenezer Hare                      54          “                       26

            John Roushingburg               58          “                       22

            John McGill                          58            “                     28

            John Hare                             58            “                     14

            Wm Potts                              59            “                     14

            Jos Gault                               59            “                     14

            John Brown                          59            “                     14

            Christy Coalman [?]              60            “                     16

            Wm Laughlin                        62           “                      26

            John Walls                            62           “                      28

            Jacob Ebbett                         63            “                     28

            John Ross                             63            “                     28

            John McCoy                         64           “                      40

            Jas Giffers                            64           “                      32

            Thos Hutcheson                    64           “                                        22

                                                                                               $3.66

Rc’d of Joseph Clokey all the above fees on the above Cases by getting credit on my Judgement in favor of the Estate of John Roberts Dc’d. Witness my Hand this 23^rd May 1822   [Signed] Jeremiah Emery

[See Item 24 below.  These people were drovers.]

24.  John Roberts Dc to Jeremiah Emery

[Illeg. date?]   note   Ballance of Acct

                                                                      $1.75

Rec’d. of Joseph Clokey Ex’c of J Roberts one dollar and Seventy five Cts in full of the above accounts—drovers as Docket Entry days

Witness my hand the 13^th of Oct 1824    [Signed] Jeremiah Emery

[Bottom half of paper shows Emery’s writing on what had been the folded paper containing Item No. 23 above, “Costs May 23^rd 1822 Josoeph Clokey Executor of Joh Robs,”   and executor’s note saying “Emerys Recpt for Costs,” with the addition of 3.66 and 1.75 yielding 5.41.]

25.  Rec’d. Canonsburgh February 23^rd 1822 of Joseph Clokey the within acct in full

                                                                  Emery & Kirk

[See Item No. 33 below.]

26.  Received of Joseph Clokey Seventy two Cents of the tax of John Roberts Decn’t. for the year 1819 & 21 & 22 Receive for W [?]            [Signed] James Kerr, collector

27.  March 17^th 1824

Received of Joseph Clokey one of the Executors of the Estate of John Roberts Deces’t. one dollar & seventy-six Cents in full of the County Poor taxes for the year 1822-23 in Canonsburgh

$1.76                                [Signed] Richard Miller Col

28.  Recved from Joseph Clokey Executor of John Roberts Deccest one Dollar & 20 Cents in full for the Road taxes Due on [either an abbreviation, perhaps for “Said” or an initial letter, NOT a “J”, in which case it would be of genealogical relevance.  Needs to be interpreted by someone who understands old handwriting styles.] Roberts Estate in the township of Chirtiers up to this Date as witness my hand this 5^th Day of april 1823

$1.20                                 [Signed] John McCall [followed by illegible title of authority, possibly “Supervisor.”]

29.  $3.25    Rec’d Canonsburgh [blotted date ending in th] February 1823 Joseph Clokey Executor of the Estate of John Roberts Dcn by the hand of John Walkinshaw Three Dollars and 25 cents in full for the Poor Tax assessed on said Estate    [Signed] Daniel McCook  Overseers of the Poor

30.  1822 Oct 25              on Dockett that he paid

            To Justice for Clokey as Ext vs Ebenezer Hair                              51

            To Justice Do.                       vs John Magill                                  25

            Do.                                         vs John Hair                                    25

            Do.                                         vs John Rousenburger                     31

            Do.                                         vs James Gault                                51

            Do.                                      vs Christopher Colemon                    31

            Do.                                      vs Jane Canon                                   19

            Do.                                      vs John Ross                                      25

            Do.                                      vs Thomas Hutchenson                                       31

                                                                                                                       $2.89

Received October 13^th 1824 the above fees from Joseph Clokey

Executor of John Roberts Dec’d the amount two dollars and eighty nine Cents

                                              [Signed] John Watson

31.  Mr. John Roberts

            1820                            In a/c with Craig Ritchie                            Dr

            Nov 2d.        % 3 yd. Full Lindsey   @ 62/yd                                $1.88

               “   27           “   6 yd yallow Flannel @ 56/yd                               3.37

               “    “            “   6 “        do.       do.   @ 56/yd                               3.38

            Dec   2          “   4 yd Flannel @ 60                                                 2.40

               “     “          “   4  “       do.               @ 56/yd                                2.25

               “    19        “   1 Sett blue cups & Saucers 88 ct/2 do. plates 75    1.63

               “    23          “   1 yd Flannel                                                            56

            1821

            Feby 14        “   2 ¼ yd muslin 56Ct for Doc. Leatherman                 56

                                                                                                           Cr.       $16.03

            1821       Contra

            Jany 12^th Bgl [?] Cheese              14 [?]  @ 7 ct                                  .98

                                                                                                                            $15.05

   Washington County

                Before the undersigned one of the justices of the peace in and for said county personally appeared Craig Ritchie who upon oath declared the above account to be just and true—

Sworn and subscribed before me the 25^th day of April 1821  [Signed] Craig Ritchie

[Signed] John Watson     Re’d. Canonsburgh Febry 1th 1822

                                      The above account in full from

                                       Joseph Clokey Executor of the

                                       Estate of John Roberts Dc’d.

                                                For C. Ritchie

                                 [Signed]   John Ritchie

32.  John Sample vs Joseph Clokey Executor of John Roberts Dec’d.:  Amt of debt  $71.96

                                                                                                                 Interest             2.32

                                                                                                                 Costs                1.12 ½

                                                                                                                            $75.40 ½

Recved July 3^rd 1822 from Joseph Clokey Seventy five dollers and forty cents in full of the above Judgmt

Test[?] [Signed] John Watson                                                   [Signed] John Sample

33.        Canonsburgh April 26^th 1820 [?]

            John Roberts

                                 to Emery & Kirk Dr

            [?]                 1 Roman [?] Hat for Wm            $4.00

 This transcription Copyright Margaret E. Rockenbeck 2004  

List of the names of the people who purchased items at the public sale held on the 9^th & 10^th of March, 1821, in Canonsburg, Washington County, Pennsylvania, disposing of the estate of John Roberts:  This list was extracted from a photocopy of the original auctioneer’s ledger of items sold, which shows the purchaser of each item and the amount paid.  The original is at the Washington County Courthouse in Washington, Pa.  Spellings have been retained.  There is variation in the handwriting and spellings over the course of the two days.  There are perhaps as many as 10 names below which are actually duplicates of others on the list.  Somewhere between 100 and 110 persons bought items.  The entire “vendue” ledger has also been transcribed verbatim.  Notes relating to uncertainty in the reading of the ledger and the relationships of some purchasers to the deceased are in parentheses, thus [ ].  John Roberts was a storekeeper, and the sale disposed of his entire household, livestock and store inventory, and provides a fascinating look at the entire range of items needed to run a frontier household and farm.  Transcription Copyright Margaret E. Rockenbeck, 2004.

First Name                                                             Last Name