Will of William Zenas Brown

In the Matter of Probate of Will of W. Z. Brown Decd
Now August 29, 1891 was presented for Probate an Instrument of writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of W. Z. Brown late of the Township of Lathrop in said County deceased and at the same time cmes N. E Packard and Frank Jackson subscribing witnesses to the said Instrument of Writing who being duly sworn according to law did say that they were present and saw and heard the said W. Z. Brown Sign Seal publish pronounce and declare the said Instrument of Writing as and for his last Will and Testament and at the of his so doing he was of sound and disposing mind and memory to the best of their Knowledge and belief:
Whereinfor the said Instrument of Writing was duly admitted to Probate as fully proven to be the last Will and Testament of W. Z. Brown and in words following:
I, W. Z. Brown of the Township of Lathrop County of Susquehanna and State of Pennsylvania being of sound mind and memory, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament:
And first: I direct my executors hereinafter named to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses as promptly as possible using for this purpose money due me on notes, contracts or otherwise.
Second. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Almira Brown. all the household good of which I may die possessed. to use or dispose of as she may think best.
Third: I give divise and bequeath unto my Said wife the use of one half of all my real estate (excepting the two messages hereinafter expressly devised and described) during her natural life. And I do also give and bequeath to my said wife the use of on half of all my personal property (excepting the household goods above disposed of) and so much of the principal of the said one half as she may find necessary or sesirable for her proper support and maintenance during her lifetime. The income arising from the said one-half of real estate and personal property to paid by my executors semi-annually on the firt days of April and October of each year: at least fifty dollars within fifteen days after the date of my death.
Fourth. I give and divise to my oldest daughter Lovinia Jackson and to her heirs and assign forever all that certain piece of parcel of land situate in the Township of Lathrop County of Susquehanna and State of Pennsylvania bounded and described as follows to wit:
Beginning at a post and stones, the northwest corner of land formerly of E. S. Brown and in line of land of Lorenzo Sweet: thence South along the line of the said Sweet and land formerly of C. R. Bailey fifty seven rods to a post and stones: thence East along lands formerly in possession of Joseph Gardner and along land of W. Z. Brown, one hundred and sixty perches to a stake and stones: thence north along the lands of W. Z. Brown sixty six perches to a post in center of road: thence west or nearly west along center of road seventy eight perches to center of road running north and South through said farm: thence west eighty two perches along land formerly of E. S. Brown to the place of beginning, containing fifty nine acres and thirty-one perches be the same more or less being the same land conveyed to Horace W. Ball by Clark B. Hall and wife, deed recorded in Susqa Co. Decd Book No. 10. Page 702 re to and conveyed to the testator by Horace Ball and wife by deed dated March 4, 1885.
Fifth. I give and devise to my daughter S. Emeline Sterling and to her heirs and assigns forever All that certain piece or parcel of land situate in the Township of Brooklyn County of Susquehanna and State of Penna. bounded and described as follows. to wit: Beginning at a point in the center of the public highway. adjoining lands of R. W. Gere, thence by lands of said R. W. Gere South eighty nine and 1/4 degrees East fourteen and 16/100 rods to a post and stones: thence by last named land north seventy two degrees west thirteen and 26/100 rods to the center of said highway:----(illegible)------------ land belonging to the estate of Jared Baker decd: South eighteen degrees west thirty eight and 52/100 rods to the place of beginning. Containing three acres be the same more or less. being same land conveyed to testator by Wm H. Baker and wife . Fred K. Sterling and wife and Jos. P. Doniphan and wife by deed dated Jany. 11, 1879.
Sixth: I further direct as to my other pieces of real estate namely: the homestead farm situate in Lathrop Township, my farm in Lenox Township, about three forths of a mile east of the Borough of Hopbottom and a piece containg several acres in Hopbottom Borough that they be Kept intact by my executors during the lifetime of my said wife and that they be managed by my said executors in accordance with their best judgement; my own preference being that the two farms be Kept Stocked and rented on shares, substantially in the manner in which I have managed them. The income from the three pieces of real estate to be divided semiannually on the first day of April and October of each year and distributed as follows, vig;-One half to my said wife Almira as specified above and the balance in equal parts to my sons David W. and William E. Brown and my daughters Emeline Sterling Candace H. and Permelia A. Brown. The Orphans Court may however make an Order to sell the said real estate or any part thereof upon presentation of a petition signed by a majority of the persons interested and representing a majority of the enterest under this Will.
Seventh. I give and bequeath unto my sons David W. and William E. and my daughters Emeline Candace and Permelia in equal shares on half of all my personal property excepting household goods and excepting such stock, teams, tools, machines re as shall be thought by my executors desirable to Keep upon and for the proper operation of the two farms above mentioned; the said personal property to be converted into money by my executors and distributed as promptly as possible.
Eighth: As soon as possible after the death of my said wife I direct that all my remaining real estate and property be sold and the proceeds distributed as follows to wit: To my daughter Lovina Jackson three hundred ($300.00): To my son David W. three hundred dollare ($300.00): To my daughter Emeline Sterling two hundred dollars ($200.00): To my son William E. five hundred dollars ($500.00). (My daughters Candace and Permelia whose names are omitted above have received about five hundred dollars each to spend in School. The money furnished my son David W. toward his education has been returned to me with interest) After paying the bequests last above mentioned, the balance to be divided equally among the following (heirs) five of my children vig: David W., Emeline, William E., Candace H., and Permelia A., my daughter Lovina having had her full share in farm and legacy above mentioned.
Ninth. I here by make constitute and sppoint my son David W. Brown and my Soninlaw Wm. L. Sterling, Executor of this my last Will and Testament:
In witness whereof I have herinto set my hand and Seal this Twentieth day of July A. D. 1891.
W. Z. Brown (Seal)
Signed Sealed published and declared by the said W. Z. Brown as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have at his request Subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
Frank Jackson
N. E. Packard

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