Wills: Joshua Potts, 1757: Moreland Manor, Philadelphia County

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               JOSHUA & ANN BORDEN POTTS

          Philadelphia, Will Book M, page 165.

              Will of Joshua Potts, 1757

In the Name of God Amen this Ninteenth day of September in the Year
of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven I Joshua Potts
of the Manner of Moreland in the County of Philada and Province of
Pennsylvania Yeoman being sick and weak in body but of Perfect mind
and memory for which I desire to be thankful to Almighty God and
taking to mind the mortality of this my Body and knowing that it is
appointed for man once to die and after that to appear in Judgment do
make and ordain this my last Will & Testament in Manor following that
is to say Principally and first of all I Recommend my precious and
immortal soul to God firmly Relying and Trusting for mercy &
forgiveness of all my sins for the sake of Jesus Christ according to
the Riches of free and undeserved Grace and my Body to the Earth to
be therein Buried in Christian like and decent manner at the
Direction of my Executors hereinafter Named Nothing doubting but I
shall reserve the sam again at the general Resurection by the mighty
power of God and as Touching such worldly Estate as wherewith it hath
pleased God to bless me in this life Too give order Devise and Dispose
thereof in Manner following - Imprimis my will is and to ordain that
my Just debts and funeral Charges be duly and fully paid and defrayed
by my Executors  Item I Give and bequeath all my wearing apparel unto
my two Brethern Nathaniel Potts and William Potts to be equally
divided between them share and share alike  Item I do give and
Bequeath unto my well beloved Wife Ann Potts four feather beds and
all the appurtenances unto the P. beds belonging and all my Table
Cloathes and Napkins and the best Case of Drawers and one desk and
two Black Walnut Tables and one large Looking Glass and all my Pewter
ware and all my Brass ware Except the bigest Kettle and all my Iron
ware belonging to house & Kitchen uses and and all my Delf and China
ware and all my Silver utensils and my Clock and my Tea Chest and one
white Servant Maid Named Magdalena Slowgar and To give unto my said
Wife the Side Saddle and bridle and one young Sorrel riding Mare and
I give unto my said Wife also one dough Trough and one pine Table and
one Dozen of the best Chairs and all my spinning wheels  Item my Will
is that all my books be left in the Custody of my wife and be equally
Divided Between my said Wife and my Children Share and Share alike and
that Each of my said Children shall Receive his or her proper share
when of age and I do Nominate Constitute and appointe my said beloved
Wife Ann Potts and my good friend Joseph Hart to be Joint Executors of
this my last Will and Testament and I do impower and authorize my said
Executors to Sell and dispose of all and Singular my Goods and
Chattles whatsoever except what is hereby above Specially otherwise
bequeathed and to Entrust authorize and empower my said Executors
also to sell and dispose of all and Singular my Messuages Lots Lands
Tenements whatsoever and wheresoever to be found and under their
hands and Seals to Convey assure and Confirm all or any of the said
Messuages Lots Lands and Tenements unto Such Person or Persons or all
of them Purchase the same To hold to Such Purchaser or Purchasers for
their heirs and assignes in as full and ample a manner to all intents
and persons whosoever as I myself could do if alive and personally
present and my Will is and I do hereby Ordain that my said Executors
out of them or arising by the Sale of all the Goods Chattels Lands
Tenements here above ordered and willed to be sold shall pay my just
debts and Charges above mentioned and the Residue of the said money
whatever sum it shall amount to over and above the payment of debts
and Charges as aforesaid Shall be divided into seven equall parts or
portions one of which Seventh parts or portions I give unto my said
Wife and I do give one other Seventh part thereof unto my son Thomas
Potts and out of the other five Seventh parts I do Will and Ordain
that the sum of one hundred Pounds be deducted for my said son
besides the aforsaid Seventh part which sum of one hundred Pounds
with Interest thereof shall be to bring in my said to Good and ample
Education and Learning and the remainder or Residue of the said five
Seventh part after the deduction of the same sum of one hundred
pounds I do will give and bequeath unto my five daughters by Name
Mary Potts Anne Potts Abigail Potts Rebecca Potts and Hannah Potts
the same to be equally Divided between my said daughters share and
share alike and their Respective shares to them to be respectively
paid at the age of eighteen Years And my Will further is that what
sum soever shall Happen to be the Portion of my Children that such
sums are soon as Possible they can be Collected shall be put to
interest during their Minority and the better to enable my said Wife
to bring up and Educate my said Children I do Give all the Interest
arising or accruing for or from their Several Portions unto my said
Wife during their Several and respective Minorities And it is my Will
that if any of my said Children Shall happen to die during Minority
then his her or their Share so dying shall be equally divided between
my Surviving Children and I do Nominate and appoint my Brother William
Potts and my Father in Law Joseph Borden to be Guardians over my
Children and I do Revoke and disanull all and every other Wills and
Testaments by me at any time before this made or Willed Ratifying and
Confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament In
Witness whereof I have set my hand and Seal hereunto the day and Year
aforesaid Joshua Potts (Seal) Signed Sealed and Declared by Joshua
Potts Testator as his last Will and Testament in the Presence of us
David Rees William Hancock Benj Griffith Philada 11th august 1761
Then personally appeared David Rees and Benja Griffith two of the
wittnesses to the foregoing will and Testament and Declare they saw
and heard Joshua Potts the Testator therein Named Sign Seal publish
and declare the same Will for and as his Last Will & Testament and
that at the doing thereof he was of Sound Mind memory and
understanding to the best of their knowledge.  Coram Wm Plumsted Regs
Genl

Be it Remembered that on the 11th of august 1761 the Last Will and
Testament of Joshua Potts decd in due form of law was proved and
Probate and Ltrs Testamentary were granted to William Potts and
Joseph Borden Executors in the sd Will named being duly sworn well
and truly to administer the decds Estate and bring in an Inventory
thereof into the Register generals Office at Philada at or before the
11th of September Next and Tender a true account when Required Given
under the seal of the said Office William Plumsted Regs Genl.