ROSS, SIMON (the Elder). Newton. June 18, 1808. G. 326-328. 
April 27, 1808. June 18, 1808. 
Will book and page numbers are shown at the end of the entry. Dates indicate 
will written and will proved. 

Last will and testament of Simon Ross the Elder

In the name of God Amen, I, Simon Ross of Newton Township in the County of 
Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania being weak in body but of sound mind, 
memory and understanding (blessed be God for the same) but calling to mind 
the uncertainty of this transitory life do make and publish this my last 
will and Testament. In manner and form following to wit. It is my will and I 
do hereby allow that all my just debts be paid and funeral expenses, out of 
my estate by my executors herein after named as soon as conveniently can be 
done after my decease. I give and devise unto my loving wife Margaret all her 
wearing apparel, two beds, beadsteads and clothing, four windsor chairs and 
two common chairs, as manny of the pots and vessels as she stands in need of. 
Tea kettle, teaspoons and tea ware, one bureau, one room in my dwelling 
house, with privilege of the kitchen and cellar and part of the garden, 
firewood, beef, pork, wheat flour and corn meal of each as much as she needs 
until my plantation shall be sold as herein after directed and six sheep and 
two milch cows to be kept for her and the sum of forty dollars yearly but as 
soon as the plantation shall be sold I do allow the sum of five hundred 
pounds to be put to interest and the said interest to be paid to my said wife 
yearly and every year during her Widowhood. At the commencement of the 
payments of the said interest my said Wife is to give up her posesion of the 
house and premises and the firewood, beef, pork, flour, meal and the keeping 
of her cows shall cease to be given her, also the payment of the forty 
dollars yearly shall cease at the commencement of the payment of the interest 
as aforesaid. All which legacies to my said wife I do hereby declare to be in 
lieu and stead of her dower at common law but provided my said wife shall 
marry and cease to be my widow in such case I will allow the yearly payment 
aforementioned to cease and in lieu thereof my Executors shall pay her the 
sum of eighty dollars which sum together with the other goods as 
aforementioned to my said Wife (except the yearly payments aforesaid). I do, 
hereby declare to be in lieu and stead of her dower of, in to ______ of my 
estate both real and personal at common law. I also order and direct that 
all my real and personal estate (not otherwise disposed of) be sold by my 
executors as soon as conveniently may after my decease to such person or 
persons and for such price or prices as may be reasonably gotten for the same 
and for that purpose I do hereby Authorize and Impower my executors or the 
survivor of them to sign, seal, execute and acknowledge such deed or deeds 
of conveyance as may be requisite and necesary for the granting and assigning 
the same to the purchaser or purchasers thereof in fees simple and monies 
thence, arising after payments of aforesaid, I give and dispose as follows 
"to wit"

I give and devise unto my son James the sum of fifty dollars.
Item: I give and devise to my daughter Jane who is intermarried with 
Sammuel Barber the sum of two hundred and sixty six dollars & sixty seven 
cents.
Item: I give and devise to my daughter Sarah who is intermarried with James 
Garret the sum of two hundred & sixty six dollars & sixty seven cents.
Item: I give and devise unto my son Robert the sum of one thousand and sixty 
six dollars and sixty seven cents.
Item: I give and devise unto my daughter Ruth who is intermarried with John 
Patterson the sum of two hundred & sixty six dollars and sixty seven cents.
Item: I give and devise to my son Simon the sum of one thousand and sixteen 
dollars and sixty seven cents.
Item: I give and devise to my daughter Mary who is intermarried with William 
Ramsey the sum of two hundred and sixty six dollars and sixty seven cents.
I give and devise to my son Sammuel the sum of five hundred and thirty three 
dollars and sixty seven cents.
Item: I give and devise to my daughter Peggy the sum of four hundred dollars.
Item: I give and devise to my son Ebenezer the sum of five hundred and thirty 
three dollars and thirty three cents and that he be put in school at the 
expense of my estate and made a good English scholar, also I direct that he 
learn the trade with my said son Simon in whose care and fidelity I do 
confide.
Item: I give and devise to my step daughter Elenore Garret the sum of fifty 
dollars. 
And in the case of the death of any of my said children in their minority 
unmarried or without lawful issue then I order and direct that the legacy of 
such child or children so ____ shall be considered as part of my estate. I do 
also direct that my wife shall have my large Bible and the remainder of my 
books shall be divided amongst my children giving to the eldest the 
preference of the first choice. And further it is my will that all the 
residue and remainder of my estate be divided amongst my sons Robert, Simon, 
Samuel & Ebenezer, each and equal share and lastly I nominate, constitute 
and appoint my good friend John Woodburn and my son Simon Ross to be the 
Executors of this my Will hereby revoking all other Wills by me heretofore 
made and declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament. In 
witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal the twenty seventh day of 
april one thousand eight hundred and eight.

Signed, sealed, pronounced,
published and declared by
the said testator as his last 
will and testament in the
presence of us who in his
presence and at his request
have subscribed as witnesses.

James Paxton
Charles Gray

Present when signed
by Margaret Ross
James Ross

Simon Ross (Seal)
Margaret Ross (Seal)
her mark