OTHER WHITENIGHT Wills and Petitions

In the name of God, Amen, I MATHIAS WHITENIGHT of the Township of Mahoning, County of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania Farmer being very sick and weak in Body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God, calling unto mind the mortality of my Body and knowing, that it is appointed for all emn to die do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my Soul into the hand of Almighty God that gave it and my Body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executor nothing Doubting but at the Genreal resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life I give Demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

First, I Give and bequeath to ELIZABETH my Dearly beloved wife the one third of all my Estate to be raised and levied out of my Estate.

Also one cow and one feather bed who I likewise constitute mand and ordain my Executrix and JOHN GREEN my Executor.

And my beloved children PHILIP DANIEL and ELIZABETH easch the sum of five shillings.

Also, to my well beloved Daughter MARY the sum of five shillings.

Also, to my well beloved Daughter ROSANNA the sum of Forty shillings.

And the remainder of my Estate to be equally divided between by beloved children MATHIAS, MICHAEL, GEORGE & CHRISTIAN & JOHN.

And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and dis____ all and every other former Testaments Wills legacies bequests and Executors by me any wise before mentioned willed and bequeathed ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and Testament.

In witness where I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this sixteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine.

I Daniel Weitknecht the Elder, of the County of Northampton, in the State of Pennsylvania, Yeoman, being weak in body and of sound mind, memory and understanding but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make and publish this my last will and Testament in manner and for following Viz.

First - It is my Will, and I do order that all my just debts and funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied (by my executors hereinafter named) as soon a conveniently can be, after my Decease.

Item - I give and bequeath unto my beloved Wife SARAH, her clothing, Bedding, Beds, with all the appurtenances, Linen, Flax, and Yarn. Further I give and bequeath unto her, one horse, all cattle, all swines, my one horse waggon, futher I give and bequeath unto my said Wife SARAH, so much of my House Hold, and Kitchen furniture, as she may choose for her own use, further I give and bequeath unto my said Wife SARAH, all what remains, (after paying all Expenses) of the yearly rent of my farm or Plantation, to be delivered to my said wife, by my Executor yearly and every year, during her natural life, And further it is my Will, that my wife SARAH to live in that part of my house which we occupied before my Decease. Spring and Washing House also, during her natural life or as long as she shall live ----------------------
And also that part in the garden which we occupied before my Decease, to be prepared for her from my son JESSE---------------

Item - I do order and direct that all my House hold and other Utensils, not chosen my beloved Wife SARAH, shall be sold by my Executors, at public Auction, and the monies there arising shall be appropriated, as my Residuary Estate-----------------

Item - It is my Will, and I do order that my son JESSE, shall cucultivate my farm, or in other words, That my farm or Plantation shall be let to my son JESSE, by my Executors, as long as my Dear wife shall live for the yearly rent following Viz-------------
Yeilding and paying, therout unto my Executors here after named. One half of all Winter grain, and the half of the Indian Corn, one third of all oats, raised and growing upon my farm, or Plantation, he shall also keep good fences on the premises (But my Executor, must make all rails wanting on said premises) he shall also keep them in good order, as the same now are, reasonable wear, tear and casualties, which may happen by fire or otherwise, on Excepted. He the said JESSE, shall yearly put Six hundred bushels of lime on the foresaid premises. And paying on finding, ahlf of all plants, half of all sowing frain, and ahlf of all clover seeds, sowing upon my siad farm. He shall cut five cords of wood in my woods, yearly for burning lime, but as it should happen that he should not use the woods, he shall sell it for himself.-----
And besides the five cords, the woods wanting in his house. Further I do order that my my son JESSE shall keep, all the cattle for my said wife as, one horse, two cows, feeding with his cattle and pasture, all her swines running with his swines. He shall also prepare for my Dear Wife, a patch for Potatoes and keep it clean from weeds till ripe.
And further he shall also haul all woods for my said wife, SARAH, to the door of her house, whenever she wants it. (This belonging yet to the yearly rent.)

Item - I do order, that after the Decease of my wife, the then remaining articles, of Household and Kitchen furniture, or whatever the articles may be left. (Whatever shall be chosen of my Daughter SARAH or owned by her for her own use - only Excepted or not be sold) shall also be sold, as aforesaid and the monies applied as aforesaid.

Item - It is my will that all Bonds, notes and monies found, at the time of my Decease, shall be appropriated to my Executors to pay my just debts and whatever remains shall be appropriated as before.

Item - It is my will, and I do order that after the Decease of my Dear wife SARAH, all the rest and Residue of my Money, Goods, Chattles, Estate Property, and effects of what nature, or kind, soever it will be, shall be appraised and Sold at Public Auction. (If none of my children or childrens will take the property by the appraisement) And then to be equally divide among my eight children, to wit, ELIZABE (covered by tape), JOHN, JESSE, EDWARD, GEORGE REINHARD, DANIEL, SAM (covered by tape) and SARAH, and I do nominate constitute and appoint my sones JESSE and DANIEL, to be the Executors, of this my l (covered by tape) will and Testament, hereby reckoning, revoking and making void, all and every other will and wills at any time hereto (covered by tape) by me made and do declare this to be my last Will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty fourth Day of April one thousand eight hundred and Forty one.

In the name of God! I, SUSANNA WEITKNECHT wife of Daniel WEITKNECHT of Lower Saucon Township in Northampton County and State of Pennsylvania, being of sound mind, memory and understanding Do make & publish this my last Will & Testament, as follows, to wit:

First: I order and direct my hereinafter named Executor to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses and the cost of a tombstone, and also after the decease of my husband aforesaid (if he leaves no estate sufficient to pay the same) to pay his funeral expenses and the costs of a tombstone like mine.

Second: I give and bequeath unto my daughter SARAH MATILDA RUCH, wife of ROBERT H. RUCH, he heirs and assigns all my property, real, personal and mixed of whatsoever nature and wheresoever the same may be at the time of my decease; subject nevertheless as aforesaid and subject also that she, my said daughter shall kindly provide for the boarding, clothing, lodging and washing of my said husband, DANIEL WEITKNECHT during his natural lifetime, so that he may live as comfortably as he does now.

Third: I nominate & appoint Robert H. Ruch, my son-in-law, the sole executor of this my last Will & Testament.

In witness whereof I, SUSANNA WEITKNECHT, the Testatrix above named have hereunto set my hand & seal to this my last Will & Testament this 27th day of February A.D. Eighteen hundred & eighty-five.

In the name of God, Amen, I CATHARINE WHITENIGHT, widow, of Bloomsburg, in the County of Columbia, and state of Pensylvania being of sound mind and disposing mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time hertofore made. And first, I direct my body be decently interred in the Rosemont Cemetery in Bloomsburg, PA, according to the rites and ceremonies of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the lot I own next to the body of my beloved husband JOHN and that a tombstone similar to the one at the head of my husbans grave be place at head of mine, and that my funeral be conducted in a manner or with my estate and situation in life. As to such estate as it has pleased God to intrust me with, I dispose of the same as follows, viz:

Item - I give and bequeath to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bloomsburg, for the use of said church, the sum of two hundred dollars. Item - I give and bequeath to my oldest daughter MARY WALTER, widow of MICHAEL WALTER, decd., the sum of two hundred dollars over and above the equal share she is to receive as one of my heirs with the rest of my children.

Item - Whereas I hold a note against my son WILLIAM decd. amounting to ($300) three hundred dollars, upon which the interest has been paid up to May 7, 1886. I direct that the amount of said note with the interest unpaid upon the same up to the time of the settlement of my estate be deducted from the equal share my said decd son WILLIAM is to receive as one of my heirs with the rest of my children.

Item - Whereas I hold a note against my son WILLIAM decd. amounting to ($300) three hundred dollars, upon which the interest has been paid up to May 7, 1886. I direct that the amount of said note with the interest unpaid upon the same up to the time of the settlement of my estate be deducted from the equal share my said decd son WILLIAM is to receive as one of my heirs with the rest of my children.

Item - Whereas, I hold a not of Four hundred dollars ($400) against my deceased daughter, SARAH L, intermarried with MAHLON HAMLIN the last interest upon which was paid on the 30th day of April 1884. I direct, that the amount of said note with interest unpaid in the same up to the time of the settlement of my estate be deducted from the equal share of my decd. daughter is to receieve as one of my heirs with the rest of my children.

Item - All the rest and residue of my personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever, of what nature, kind, and quality soever the same may be, subjected to the above bequest and deductions and not here in before given and disposed of (after paying my debts, legacies and funeral expenses) I give and bequeath as follows:

To my daughter MARY, widow of MICHAEL WALTER, one equal fourth part of my estate over and above the bequest of two hundred dollars already set forth in a former item of this will.

To the children of my deceased son WILLIAM, subjected to the deduction already set forth in a former item of the will one equal fourth part of my estate to be divided among them, viz. CHARLES, JOSEPH, DANIEL, HARVEY, MARTIN and ALICE, share and share alike.

To my son DANIEL one equal fourth part of my estate subject to the bequests before given.

To the children of my deceased daughter SARAH L, intermarried with MAHLON HAMLIN, subject to the deduction already set fourth in a former item of the will, one equal fourth part of my estate to be divided among them, viz. CHARLES, CLARA, ADA, and NORMAN share and share alike, none of my grandchildren to take in the agregate more than their parents share and subject to all the deductions to be made as set forth in the items of this will.

Item - If any of my children or grandchildren attempt to break this my will then I direct and will that they shall be deprived of any share or portion of my estate.

And I do hereby constitute and appoint my friend, Henry H. GROTZ sole executor of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I CATHARINE, the testatrix have to this my will written on one sheet of paper, set my hand and seal this 14th day of February A.D. 1888.

I CATHARINE WHITENIGHT the testatrix above named do make and publish this codicil to m last Will and testament dated the 14th day of February A.D. 1888. Item - I hereby revoke my bequest of two hundred dollars to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bloomsburg contained in the first item of said will and give and bequeath the same to be divided equally among my children share and share alike, the share of deceased children to be given to their children. Item - I hereby revoke my bequest of two hundred dollars to my oldest daughter MARY WALTER contained in the second item of said will and give and bequeath the same to be divided equally among my children share and share alike, said MARY to have her equal share with the rest, the share of deceased children to be given to their children. In witness where of, I CATHARINE WHITENIGHT to this my codicil to my last will and testament have this 6th day of February A.D. 1889 set my hand and seal.

 
PETITION
Book 4, p. 295-296, No. 3

The Petition of VALENTINE WHITENIGHT one of the minor children of MICHAEL WHITENIGHT late of Madison township in said county was prefered to the Court respectfully representing that your said Petitioner is a minor above the age of fourteen and that he has no person legally appointed to take charge of his person & estate.
He prays your Honors to appoint some suitable person to take charge of his person & estate and named JOHN CHRISTIAN and prays he may be appointed. Whereupon April 21 Petition read & JOHN CHRISTIAN appointed Guardian No Bail required Per ______

 
PETITION
Book 4, p. 296, No. 4

The Petition of ELIZABETH WHITENIGHT widow of MICHAEL WHITENIGHT late of Madison Township in said County was prefered to the Court respectfully representing that your Petitioners husband lately died leaving issue three children one of whom to wit BARBARA WHITENIGHT is a minor under the age of fourteen years. That said minor has no person legally appointed to take chare of her person & estate. She therefore prays your Honors to appoint some suitable person as Guardian of said minor and would name to the court as suitable person to be appointed. And she will pray & e Whereupon April 21st 1845 Petition read and JOHN CHRISTIAN appointed Guardian no bail required per ______

 
PETITION for Unit of Partition
Book 4, pgs. 317-318, No. 28

The Petition of JOHN WHITENIGHT Eldest son and heir at law of GEORGE WHITENIGHT late of Madison Township in said County was prefered to the Court respectfully representing. That your petitioners said father lately died about or in August in the year 1844 intestate leaving issue six children to wit Your petitioner JOHN WHITENIGHT, GEORGE WHITENIGHT, ELIZABETH intermarried with ABRAHAM MANNON, MARGARET intermarried with JOHN GROVER, SARAH intermarried with JOSEPH KLINE and MICHAEL WHITENIGHT who is deceased leaving three children viz. VALENTINE, ELIZABETH ANN and BARBARA minors and that the said intestate died seized in his ________ as of fee of and in a certain tract of land situate in Madison Township aforesaid of SAMUEL RICHARD, REUBEN WILSON, JOHN CHRISTIAN and JOHN BETZ, containing one hundred acres and allowances of land with the appurtentenance. Your petitioner therefore prays your Honors to award an Inquest to make Partition of the premises of said Intestate in such manner and in such proportions as by the laws of this Commonwealth is directed if such partition thereof can be made without prejudice to or adjoining the whole. But if such partition cannot be made thereof, without prejudice as aforesaid then to value and appraise the same and make report of their processing herein according to law and
he will pray.

 
PETITION for Guardian
Book 6, p 41, No. 22

The petition of MATHIAS WHITENIGHT, WM. PERRY & ELMIRA WIGHTNIGHT minor children of WILLIAM WHITENIGHT is late of said county of Columbia and by their next friend EDWARD CRAWFORD was prefered to the court Respectfully that the petitioners are under the age of fourteen years and have no person legally authorized to take charge of their persons or Estates. They therefore humbly pray the Court to appoint some suitable person their guardian for that purpose and they will ever pray for EDMUNC CRAWFORD for minors, Whereupon August 21, 1850 petition read and the Court appointed CHARLES KAHLER & MOSES KRESSLER Guardian Ad Litum of MATHIAS WHITENIGHT, WM. P. WHITENIGHT & ELMIRA WHITENIGHT minor children of JOHN WHITENIGHT decd to receive notice.

 
PETITION for Guardian
Book 6, p. 190, No. 4

The petition of ELISHA BEIDLEMAN the uncle and next friend of HANNAH REBECCA WHITENIGHT a minor child of WILLIAM WHITENIGHT, late of Bloom township decd was prefererd to the Court Respectfully representing that the said, HANNA REBECCA is a minor under the age of fourteen years and has no Guardian, he respectfully prays the Court to appoint some suitable person as Guardian to take charge of the person & Estate of said minor & he will pray & ELISHA B. BEIDLEMAN. Whereupon December 6th, 1852 Court appointed BENJAMIN F. HARTMAN Guardian to give Bail, in $250 JOHN __ GROTZ & JOHN R. ________ approved as Bail.

 
PETITION for Inquest of Estate
Book 6, pgs. 360-361, No. 32

[Petition by son, Mathias - wife Mary Ann - dated Dec. 6, 1854]

The petition of MATHIAS WHITENIGHT the fourth son and alines JOHN WHITENIGHT the second son of MICHAEL WHITENIGHT, late of Hemlock township in said County was prefered to the Court respectfully representing that the said MICHAEL WHITENIGHT died at Hemlock township in the County aforesaid on or about the __ day of __ ??? one thousand eight hundred and forty six and some time prior to his decease to wit:

on the twenty third day of December, one thousand eight hundred and forty five made his last will and testatment where in and whereby he gave demised and bequeathed into _________ as follows:

It is my will that my beloved wife Rebecca shall have the use of the farm on which we reside during all the time she shall remain my widow - also shall have one cow & then it is my further will that such other personal property as God has blessed us with and not bequested as above be sold at public sale as soon after my decease as convenient and that all my just debts and funeral expenses to be paid out of the same and if any remain it is to be equally divided between my children except the daughter of my son WILLIAM deceased, HANNAH REBECCA who is to have only half a share, but is she dies before of age then that share to go to my children.

It is my further will that after death of my beloved wife or after she ceases to remain my widow, that the farm either be sold or divided among my children and the above mentioned Grand child in the same ratio as the above bequests of personal property, as also the goods ramaining of the bequests to my wife.

And the said Testator by his said last will and testament - appointed JOHN RICHART of Madison Township his Executor which said last will and testament containing among other things the aforesaid demises and bequests ws duly proved before the Register of Wills for the County of Columbia on the sixth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six. Your petitioner further shows that REBECCA WHITENIGHT wife of the said Testator died on or about the ___ day of May in eighteen hundred and fifty four and your petitioner further showing that the said MATHIAS WHITENIGHT, died leaving six children to wit:

JOHN who is now deceased but who aliances in his lifetime his interest in the Real Estate to MATHIAS your petitioner, by decree, PETER WHITENIGHT, MICHAEL WHITENIGHT, MATHIAS WHITENIGHT the petitioner, GEORGE WHITENIGHT, CATHARINE intermarried with AARON MILLER and an Grand child to wit HANNA REBECCA a daughter of WILLIAM WHITENIGHT deceased. The said HANNAH REBECCA is a minor and has BENJAMIN F. HARTMAN for her Guardian and seised in his demense?? as of fee of and in the following described real estate to wit a certain plantation and tract of land situate in Hemlock township aforesaid adjoining land of MATHIAS WHITENIGHT on the east - CORNELIUS VANHORN on the west & GEORGE BOGART on the south and MICHAEL OHL and SAMUEL RICHART on the North, containing one hundred more or less with no appru______.

Your petitioner therefore prays that your Honor award an inquest to make partitioning of the premises aforesaid to and among the said parties interested in such manner and in such proportion as by the said will and the laws of the Commonwealth is directed - if such partition can be made without prejudice to or spoiiling the whole tract if such partition cannot be made thereof then to value and appraise the same and make return of this ______ according to law and he as in duty bound will. Whereupon Dec. 6, 1854 Petition read and Inquest awarded.