Elias Kerr
James Nicol states that Elias Kerr died on the 17th day of January AD 1832,
that he (Nicols) was at the house of the deceased during his last illness on
Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th of the same month; that on both these
occasions the deceased declared to him that it was his desire that his wife
and eldest son should have full possession of all his real and personal
property, after the payment of his debts during this life time of his wife -
that all the family should live together as usual - and that after his wifes
death, if settlement could not be made amicable with the eldest son, the
property must be put to sale and the proceeds equally divided among the
children. And said Nichols further says, that he understood the deceased as
calling upon him to be a witness that the above was the disposition which the
deceased wished to be made of his estate after his decease. The deceased was
at the time of making the above declarations of sound and disposing mind,
memory and understanding.
W. M. Drennen also declares, that he Elias Kerr died on the 17th of January AD
1832 - that he (Drennen) was at the house of the deceased during his last
illness, about the 10th of January 1832 - that the deceased declared to him
on that occasion that he wished after his death, that his wife and eldest son
should have possession of all his real and personal property, after the
payment of his debts - to have the use of it during the live time of his wife
- that the family should all live together as usual - and that after his wifes
death, the property should be sold, if it could not be settled otherwise with
the eldest son and the proceeds divided among the children equally. From the
manner and declarations of the deceased he understood him as calling upon him
(Drennen) to witness that the foregoing was the disposition which the deceased
wished to be made of his estate after his death. The deceased was at the time
of making the above declarations of sounds and disposing mind, memory, and
understanding.
The foregoing statement reduced to writing in our presence and at our request
this 24th day of January AD 1832. Witness our hands
James Nichols
Wm M. Drennen
Allegheny County,
Be it remembered that on the 24th day of January Ad 1832 a citation under the
hand of John M. Snowden. Register joining and for said County and the seal of
the Registers office was issued by the said register directed to Elizabeth
Kerr, widow of the above named Elias Kerr and John Hanna, Barbara, Mary and
Nancy Kerr children of the said deceased, requiring them to appear before the
said Register at his office in Pittsburgh on Wednesday the 8th day of February
1832, to contest if they think proper the above ____________will, and to be
present at the probate thereof, and be it further remembered that on the said
8th day of February AD 1832, Wm. M. Drennen was duly and solemnly sworn by the
said Register at his said office, that he served the said citation on all the
parties therein named, on the 25th day of January AD 1832 by reading it to
them, and showing them the seal of the Registers office thereto attached; and
be it further remembered that on the said 8th day of February AD 1832, none of
the previous named in the said citation appearing at the said registers
office, the said Register proceeded to take the probate of the foregoing
____________will, whereupon James Nicholls and Wm. W. Drennen the witness
thereto were severally and solemnly sworn and did declare that the facts
stated in the foregoing __________ will as reduced to writing in their
presence and at their request on the 26th day of January AD 1832, and signed
by them is just and true. Given under my hand this 8th February AD 1832.