|
a.
|
Continued: Michael and Louisa moved from PA to VA in 1800, then to Greene Co.,TN in 1810. They settled on the Snapp's Ferry Road near Rheatown. Last will and testament of Michael Bright: In the name of God Amen. I Michael Bright Senr. of the County of Green and state of Tennessee, being of sound mind and memory being willing and desirous, to dispose of all my earthly and worldly estate and effects wherewith it has pleased God in his profidence to bless me with, do make constitute and ordain this to be my last and first Will and Testament: Now be it known that all things may be fairly understood, haveing considered all matters it is my will and desire, that my three sons, towit Michael L., Charles, and David, shall have one thousand dollars more of my estate each and every one of them three over and above of all my daughters, for divers of good reasons, by me considered anty[?] to mention one amongst them, is that they have stayed and continued with me, and helpd me to raise the greater part of my family untill they become to the ages of twenty six and upwards, for which services they have received no other reward, for one of the said reasons the above alluded to, I have made the distinguishment between my sons and daughters not that I have affection more for one or the other they are all my children but honesty and good reason haveing moved me thereto & I will now therefore endeavour to make a distribution of my lands and effects amongst them all as I deem it right to my satisfaction. First begining at oldest and first born my daughter Polly and wife of John Maltsberger one thousand dollars -- $1,000. My daughter Caty, wife of Jacob Stigel one thousand dollars -- $1,000. My Son Michael Bright two thousand dollars -- $2,000. My son Charles Bright two thousand dollars -- $2,000. My daughter Sarah deceas'd formerly wife of Samuel Bowman 1,000. My son David Bright two thousand dollars -- $2,000. My daughter Elisabeth wife of Launthy Armstrong one thousand dollars --$1,000. My daughter Ratchel wife of Nathan Morelock one thousand dollars -- $1,000. All of which to be done and made in the first place after this manner and after this to be done made and distributed all my real and personall estate to be destributed amongst them all in manner herein and after to be mentioned to be disposed of. First it is my will and desire that after my death that my body shall be by them my children, be buried in a decent and funeral manner, along side of my beloved and departed wife at the expence of them all equal and alike (and if I should die from home as I am about to start a journey from home that the expences and charges be by them paid in like manner afforesaid). Secondly That all my just debts be paid out of my estate by my executors, if any, but few in my recollection or memory. Thirdly That all my debts, dues and demands either on books settled or, unsettled, by bonds, notes or obligations be collected and all my real and personal estate to be sold on a reasonable credit discretionable with my executors, excepting such estate or property as shall hereinafter be willed or provided for and the moneys arising on said estate also to be distributed as hereinafter to be mentioned and provided for. Fourthly It is my Will and desire that my daughter Polly aforementioned shall have on thousand dollars in the first Instance, takeing all the debts dues, debts and demands I have and hold against John Maltsberger her husband, (only with this exception that all the notes I hold on him only the amount of the principal sums to be taken in her thousand dollars as hereby willed and not the interest that have or may have accrued on them) and also that if my son David Bright and him the said John Maltsberger comes to a settlement about the building of the new house allready built and the said David my son shall fall in his debt concerning the same such ballance or sum to be paid or discounted out of the book accounte I have against the said Maltsberger and such sum as it may be not to be taken out of the Legacy bequeathed to his wife aforesaid. Fifth it is my wil and desire that my daughter Caty wife of Jacob Stiegel to have one thousand dollars out of my estate in the first instance Sixth It is my will and desire that my son Michael Bright shall have and possess all the lands I purchased from Philip Cole together with the entries by him or myself made adjoining each other by estimation containing three hundred and twelve acres, more or less together with the mills buildings improvements appurtenances, anywise thereto belonging or appertaining, valued or set the price myself at two thousand five hundred dollars for and towards his portion in the first instance. Seventh it is my will and desire that my son Charles Bright to have all the lands and tenements I purchased from Jonathan Newman and Aron Newman together with an entry of twenty five acres adjoining the Mill tract by estimation containing four hundred and twenty six acres, and one hundred and ten poles, be the same more or less valued by myself at two thousand seven hundred dollars for and towards his portion, in the first instance. Eighth It is my will and desire that the children and heirs born of my daughter Sarah deceas'd formerly the wife of Samuel Bowman, to have one thousand dollars out of my estate to be equally devided amongst them, when they arive and come to full age, in the first instance. Ninth It is my will and desire that my son David Bright shall have what is or may be called the home place not knowing at this time how many acres it may contain there being several entries to be taken in, in his coundaries, the Robbison tract & there being as supposed between ten or eleven hundred acres grands and deeded lands all lying and adjoing together ouf of which my daughter Betsey, and my daughter Rachel to have their parts of land laid and taken off in manner and form hereinafter to be mentioned and the ballance and residue to belong to my son David in my estimation supposed to contain about six hundred acres of land, together with all and singular the appurtenances thereto belonging or in anywise appertaining by me considered and valued at tow thousand three hundred ollars, likewise the choice of two of my cows and all the claves and yearlings now on the place and as many of the farming utensills as he may want and horse geering, big chanins, and the two waggons and the sheep for his part in the first instance. Tenth It is my will and desire that my daughter Elizabeth wife of Launthy Armstrong the tract and farm of land they now live on being the farm I purchased from the heirs of Thomas Ellis deceased including some and part of the entries I made, and also the tract and parcell of land purchas'd from Thomas Lane the deviding line between my son David Bright and said Launthy Armstrong. Beginning on John Maltsbergers line runing paralel with the fence of said Armstrong along the lane between him and said David my son in the like and same direction across to Pickerings line all that part south of said line (meaning the said land) joining Baileys line and Crabtrees line & not knowing the quantity of acres it may contain, but supposing and believing it to contain about two hundred and seventy or seventy five acres, including all the improvements thereon by me valued at thirteen hundred dollars, to be part and part of her portion at this time in the first instance Eleventh It is my will and desire that my daughter Rachel wife of Nathan Morelock shall have that part of land they now live and dwell upon runing nearly and paranel with his fence, now towards and between him and my son David clean and clear across from Elijah Coulson or Ellis Pickerings dec'd to Robert Grays dec'd line joining on the other side on Joseph L. Hays, widow Collier and others, not knowing the quantity of acres may be contained therein, but supposing and believing it contains two hundred and fifty acres, including all the improvements threon, by me valued at eleven hundred and fifty dollars, to be her part and portion, in the first instance. Twelvth, It is also my will and desire that the two boys, now living with me calling themselves by the names of George W. Bright and James H. Bright being as reported the eligitimate children of my son David Bright, their schooling and educating at this time, By Allen McDannel now is owing to me, and also out of a note I hold on said McDannel, and furthermore for the love and affection my beloved and departed wife and myself bare towards them. It is also my will and desire that each of them shall have out of my estate one hundred dollars, when they become of full age (that is twenty one years) that is upon this condition provided they demean and behave them selves and stay with me whilst in this life, or with my son David after my decease untill such time say eighteen years of age, they or either of them should want or be desirous to go to a trade, to learn a mecanicle trade, then to be put to such trade as they amy desire to learn. But if they should leave us or either of us threw persuasion of their mother of any other person, or persons, or stubberness of themselves, then and in that case or either case this bequest to be void and none of effect, unless they should be so treated after my decease that they could not stay (that is unlawful treatment meant) Beleiveing as I do at this time my estate, real and personal to be sufficient to fill all the bequeaths and devises herein mentioned and made it is my desire that all things may be fairly understood. I do hereby state my meaning of the foregoing bequeaths and those hereafter to mentioned. First it appears that my son Charleses bequeath amounts to be the largest that is two thousand seven hundred dollars, that is seven hundred dollars more than appears in first contemplation, but illustrate my meaning say Charles gets as first mentioned 2000 he has got $2700 Michael do _ _ _ 2000 he has got 2500 David do do __ 2000 he has got 2300 Armstrong do his wife 1000 he has got 1300 Nathan Morelock his wife 1000 he got 1150 So that them five would have received nineteen hundred and fifty dollars more than in the first contemplation herein mentioned, this was stated only to show my intention -- and the other three each one thousand as before said and the two boys each on hundred dollars, now so to be regulated and all the devises and beqaths, so proportionally made and satisfyed then the ballance, left to be equally devided amongst my sons and daughters herein first mentioned, and my books to be devided amongst my three sons and my to old chest formerly belonging to my father and mother not to be sold but to be kept in the family, and if any accounts (debts etc be found charged against my three sons Michael, Charles and David or any of my books shall be condered as paid, and of no more effect, whereas in the fourth clause in the bequeath of my daughter Polly Maltsberger it is mentioned about the settlement with my son David Bright concerning the new house built and Maltsbergers debts due me. you may find a statement in my account, book dated 17th of April 1837 the amount due me after the settlement with David aforesaid in my book accounts; and also the amount of notes I hold on him, which said sums, and amounts are to be considered as so much paid towards his wifes legacy. It is also by me considered that my daughter herein before mentioned, to wit, Polly, Elisabeth and Ratchel shall have all and singular their mother's wearing aparel and such things as necessarily belonged to her or customarily and devide them equally amongst them etc and is also my desire that when my son David and George Hays come to a settlement about the carpenters work for the house that the notes I hold on George Hays and Alexander Hays his brother and the five dollars Alexander borrowed of me and the book account I have against said George for sawing and plank he got excepting the note assigned over to me from Joseph L. Hays shall and may be applyed towards paying said work to said George Hays -- And hereby make and ordain my three sons Michael Bright, Charles Bright and David Bright Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I the said Michael Bright have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of Aprile in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven 1837. Michael Bright (seal) Signed, sealed, published and declared, by the said Michael Bright Senr. the Testator as his last will and Testament in the presence of us, who were present at the time of signing and sealing thereof _ _ his Charles X Fincher mark Nathan Morelock his Samuel L. X Collet mark Entries from Michael Bright's Family Bible. Some late entries were made by his son David Bright. The Bible is now in the possession of descendants of Michael's youngest daughter Rachel. BIRTHS My father Michael Bright was born the 24th day of November 1732. My mother birthday unknown to me, her maiden name was Catherine Stoner. My stepmother being the widow of Conrad Bower decease'd, her maiden name was Catherin Hubin, born the 27th day of June 1732. My eldest brother Jacob Bright was born July 14th day 1754. Myself Michael Bright was born August 10th day 1759 in the sign of the fish. These being the children of Father hed by his second wife as followeth: John Bright was born January 27 day 1767 Sarah Bright was born November 19th day 1768 David Bright was born August 5 day 1771 Peter Bright was born January 26 day 1774 John Bright was born the 29 day of January 1776 in the sign of the twins. Births of myself and family Myself Michael Bright born the 10 day of August 1759 My loving wife Luisa Land now Luisa Bright to the best of her memory was born in the year of our Lord 1761 but cannot recollect the month nor day. Our first born daughter Polly Bright was born the 8 day of August 1781 in the evening. Caty Bright was born the 5 day of october 1783 in the morning. Michael Bright our son was born the 21 day of January 1786 in the evening. Charles Bright was born the 5 day of February 1788 about 9 o'clock at night. Sarah Bright was born the 31 day of Octobert 1790 in the morning. Luisa Bright was born the 10 day of January 1794 in the evening. Henry Land Bright was born the 4 day of February 1796 in the evening. David Bright was born the 10 day of March 1798 about noon, Elizabeth Bright was born in Shanandoa County State of Virginia on the 3 day of A- 1801 early in the morning. Rachel Bright was also born in county of Shanandoa State of Virginia at Boiling Springs Place on the 11 day of March 1805 in the morning. MARRIAGES Michael Bright and his loving wife Louisa Land, now Bright enter'd into the life of Matrimony and Married before Devett Boos a preacher of gospel to the reformed Calvinistical Church at Reading Town in the County of Berks, in the state of Pennsylvania in October 1780. Our oldest child daughter Polly Bright was married to John Maltsberger. Our second daughter Caty Bright was married to Jacob Stiegel jun on the 19 day of February 1805. Our daughter Sarah Bright was married to Samuel Bowman on the 7 day of November 1815. Our son Charles Bright was married to Sarah Newman on the 2d day of September 1819. Our oldest son Michael Bright was married to Polly Morris the 16th day of March 1820. Our youngest daughter Rachel Bright was married to Nathan Morelock on the 3rd day of February 1825. Our son David Bright was mareid to Lydia Collier on the 30th day of May 1833, about 3 o'clock in the evening by Samuel Coldwell ESQ. DEATHS My Mother to the best of our memory died in the year of our Lord 1763 or 1764. Our stepmother died the 5 day of July 1814. Aged 82 years and 8 days. Our father Michael Bright died the first day of August 1814. Aged 81 years 8 months and 7 days. Our brother John died the 7th day of January 1769. Our youngest brother John died the 7th day of January 1793. Our brother Peter Bright died at Sea, at our near Martinick Islands the 27 day of octobe 1794. Our eldest brother Jacob Bright died the 29 day of May l8l 5 aged 6O y lO m l5 d. My beloved wife Luisa Bright departed this transient life on the twenty fourth day of January in the year of our Lord 1837 supposed to be aged from the best of our memory to be at or near 76 years of age. Luisa Bright our daughter died the 2nd of october 1795 in the evening and interred in Southern Burying Ground at Reading in Pennsylvania the day following age 1 years and nine months and eleven days. Henry Land Bright our son died the eleventh day of February 1796 and also buried in the Southern Burying Ground at Reading aged 7 days. Sarah Bowman our daughter departed this life in child bed the 5th day of June 1831. Our beloved Father Michael Bright departed this transient life on the thirteenth day of November in the year of our Lord 1842 aged 83 yrs 3 months 3 days. Both buryed at Charles Bright Newman's place [Michael and Luisa] [BIRTHS] Lyddia Bright my wife, formerly Lyddia Collier was born 13 Sept 1812. We were married 30 May 1833 difference in our age 14.6.3 and I am eldest. My son David Bright son Michael was born 30 day March 1834 in the night. His daughter Luisa born 20 day April 1837 in the morning. His son John was born 9 July 1839 about midnight. His son Charles was born 3 April 1842 about 10 a.m. His son David Nechelson was born 9 November 1844 about 3 in the evening. His daughter Rebecka Ann was born 10 June 1847 in morning about sunrise. His daughter Mary Catherine was born 2 February 1850 about 10 at night. His son Jacob was born May 1853 12 o'clock noon. DEATHS Our beloved Mother Lydia Stonecypher departed this transient life on the 29the day of July 1865 about 10 in the evening. Aged 52 years 10 months and 15 days
|
