Kate’s notes: There was one name on this document, that of George Meichl, a witness to the will, of which I am unsure. Otherwise, any words in doubt or misspelled were indicated by brackets or “sic”.

Pennsylvania Probate Records
Adams County
Wills 1800-1817, Vol. B
Pg 204, No. 482

The Will of Samuel Gilliland of Adams County, Pennsylvania, October, 1812

I Samuel Gilliland of the Township of Menallen in the county of Adams & state of Pennsylvania being weak in body but of Perfect sound and Disposing mind & memory blessed be God for the same _ Calling to mind the certainty of Death & the uncertainty of this mortal life, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I order and allow that as soon after my decease as may be convenient that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of estate by my Executors herein after mentioned. Also I will and direct that my family now with me live and remaing[sic] so together and that my sons John & Samuel to have and enjoy the whole use and benefit of my mills and plantation for the term of five years, they keeping the same in repare[sic]  paying the taxes and supporting my said family for the above terms and after the deduction of all taxes and repairs and family expenditures, the clear yearly income to be divided into three equal shares, each of my said sons Samuel & John to take one Share each the other and remaining third to be paid over to my executors and to be considered as part of my estate. My said two sons John & Samuel to keep cloathe[sic] and school my said Children with the assistance of my three daughters viz. Ann, Sarah & Mary who is to have whatever they can make in the house over and above the consumption of the said family – My said two sons John & Samuel to keep my said mills and plantations in good order and pay all the taxes that may be come due thereon for the above term of five years. But if my said family should not think proper to live together on my said farm then I allow my said executor to sell the same at any time after two years after my decease, and to enable my sd family so to remain together for their mutual use and benefit  I will and direct my sd  Executor to leave in their possession two of my best horse creatures and their geirs[sic] and two ploughs double trees and Clevis, one iron harrow & my new waggon[sic], five of my milk Cows, one good beef for the present year and one for the ensuing, and a sufficient number of hogs for the use or consumption of my family and all the sheep now on hand so that the wool may go to the use of my sd family, also all the wool and flax now on hand & all my household and Kitchen furniture, whatever kind [soever] also sufficient grain of my crop in the barn, for the use of the family for the ensuing year as likewise the hay &c for the use of the above mentioned creatures. Also it is my will & I order and direct that when my said mills and plantation are sold which is agreeable to my aforesaid directions I will & bequeath to my daughter Ann one hundred pounds also I will and bequeath to my son John one hundred and fifty [one word, ink smeared] pounds, I also will and bequeath to my son Samuel one hundred pounds – I will and bequeath unto my daughter Jean intermarried with Caleb Harlen one feather bed, 1 bolster 2 pillows and the common coverings, also I will and bequeath the said Jean the sum of three hundred pounds – the above sums to be paid out of the hand money of the sales of my sd real Estate. Also I order and direct that on the disposing of my real estate that all the articles, creatures  &c. that is described to be and is so left with my family (excepting such as has been consumed for the uses above mentioned or dead) to be sold at public sales (excepting three bedsteads, beds & furniture for the same which I will and bequeath to my 3 daughters, [being] Ann, Sarah & Mary, each a good bed &c. –Also I order and direct that as soon after my decease as is convenient, that all the residue 7 remainder of my personal estate be sold by my executors at public sales. – Also I order and direct that the residue and remainder of my estate of whatever kind or nature be equally divided to and amongst all my children except my daughter Jane who is to have no more (than what is above bequeathed to her) Share and Share alike but if any of my children should die in their minority or without lawful heirs, then their share shall be equally divided to and amongst their surviving Brothers & Sisters – excepting Jean. And Lastly I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my loving[sic] brother William Gilliland & my loving and affectionate son John Gilliland to be my joint executors of this my last will & testament, investing them with full powers to sell my mills & plantation &c lying and being in the township of Menallen aforesaid, wither at public or private sales which they in their wisdom think most adviseable[sic] and when sold to convey the same in as ample a manner as I could have done.  Revoking and disannulling all former and other wills by me heretofore made. Rectifying and confirming this to be my last will and testament. In testimony whereof  I this said Samuel Gilliland have hereunto set my hand & seal this twenty sixth day of August one thousand, eight hundred & twelve.
                                                                                                                    Samuel Gilliland {seal}

Signed, Sealed & Delivered in the presence of us. 
George Meichl }
John Dull          }                                 Adams County
John Ebert        }

Before James Duncan Esq. Register for the probate of wills and granting letters of Administration in and for the said County of Adams in the state of Pennsylvania Personally came George Meichl, John Dull and John Ebert the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of writing and on their solemn oaths do severally say that they were personally present and saw and heard the above named Samuel Gilliland sign his name unto and seal & publish the foregoing instrument of writing as and for his last will and testament, and at the time of doing thereof he the said Samuel Gilliland was of a sound and disposing mind, memory & understanding

There is another entry in the probate records from October of 1812:

Memorandum letters testamentary were on this [word missing] granted to William Gilliland & John Gilliland executors of the last will and testament of Samuel Gilliland decd. Inventory to be exhibited into the registers Office at Gettysburg on or before the 21st day of November next, and an account or reckoning on or before the 21st day of October 1813. Witness my hand the 21st day of October A.D. 1812.
James Duncan Regt.              .    

Please do not publish this transcription elsewhere without credit to the transcriber, preferably with express permission of same. If used as a citation, please attribute to the following:
Transcriber: Kate Maynard, 2013
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