I, Jonah R. Bronson of the village of Forty Fort in the township of Kingston, County of Luzerne, and State of Pennsylvania being of sound mind, memory and understanding, do make and publish this my last will and testament. Hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made. And first I direct that my body be decently interrred in such grave yard or cemetery as my beloved and faithful wife, Elizabeth H. Bronson shall direct, according to the rites and ceremonies of the Methodist Episcopal Church and that my funeral be conducted in a manner corresponding with my estate, and the wishes of my beloved wife, Elizabeth H. Bronson, after consulting with our children. As to such estate as it hath pleased God to intrust me with I dispose of the same as follows:
Item. First--I devise to my son Daniel W. Bronson, and his heirs forever the farm containing Eighty (80) acres more or less, with all the improvements thereon in Lake township, County of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania. Known as the Sinclair farm, bounded and described by a Deed given to me by Daniel A. Sinclair and Margaret Sinclair, his wife, and recorded in Deed Book No. 112. Page 400 in Wilkes Barre. November 21st A. D. 1866. In consideration of aforesaid devise my son, Daniel W. Bronson, Shall pay to my eldest son, Ira V. Bronson the amount of one thousand ($1,000.) dallars, without interest as follows:--One hundred ($100) dollars one year after my decease; and one hundred and fifty ($150) dollars, annually herefore until the full sum of one thousand ($1,000) dollars shall be paid to my eldest son, Ira V. Bronson. Also I direct the said Daniel W. Bronson shall pay the sum of one thousand ($1,000) dollars without interest to the two children of my eldest daughter, Ann Eliza, now deceased, as follows:--First to Oliver P. Williams five hundred ($500) dollars without interest, in three equal annual payments. The first payment to be made when the said Oliver P. Williams shall become Twenty one (21) years of age. Second.--I direct, also, that he shall pay to Elizabeth Hatten, daughter of the said Ann Eliza Five hundred ($500) dollars, without interest in three equal annual payments--the first to be made when the said Elizabeth Hatten becomes Twenty one (21) years of age. Also, I direct, that the said Daniel W. Bronson Shall deliver annually to my beloved wife, Elizabeth H. Bronson one fourth of all the products of said farm, so long as she shall live and remain my widow.
Item. Second--I devise to my daughter Emma A. Edwards and her heirs forever, (wife of James Edwards) now residing in Ross township, County of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania, a farm, containing seventy (70) acres more or less, on which there is a grave yard of one half acre which is excepted, situate in Lake township, County of Luzerne, and State of Pennsylvania, as described in deed to me from Ira Bronson, deceased and F. A. Williams. On the said farm there is an Annuity of Twenty ($20) dollars to be paid to the widow of Ira Bronson, deceased, So long as she shall live. Annuity, my daughter, Emma A. Edwards, shall be held to pay the aforesaid widow--the first payment to be made in May 1876, according to a bond, now in the possession of Cordelia Bronson, widow of Ira Bronson, deceased, before mentioned.
Item. Third--I also, devise unto my daughter, Sarah C. Bronson and her heirs forever, a house and lot in Plymouth, on Spring Street, known as lot No. 29.--Said lot is bounded and described in a written agreement from Andrew Hunlock to myself, on said lot is a lien for purchase money, of six hundred and four ($604.26) dollars and twenty-six cents. Said lien to be paid out of my estate, if not provided for or paid in my lifetime, the rents from said premises to be applied on said lien until it is paid; after which all income from rent of said premises shall be paid to my wife, Elzabeth H. Bronson for her use, until my daughter Sarah C. Bronson shall become twenty one (21) year of age, at which time, she shall have full possession and sole control of said house and lot, free from all incumberance.
Item. Fourth--I also devise unto my son, Simeon F. Bronson, and his heirs forever, my house and lot situate in the village of Forty-Fort in the township of Kingston, county of Luzerne, and State of Pennsylvania containing one acre and a half. Strict measure, as bounded by two deeds, as follows:--the first from Charles Whitesell and wife to me, bearing date April 17, 1872.--The second from Charles Pugh, bearing date April 10, 1873, on which there is now erected a two story dwelling house with kitchen and barn--said devise conditioned, that my beloved wife, Elizabeth H. Bronson shall have the use of the house, so long as she lives and remains my widow, to have, hold and apply all rents, and monies whatsoever, arising from the use of the same.
And it is also my will, that the aforesaid Simeon F. Bronson, my son, shall have the entire income from his labor, he to remain with his mother, and assist in the care of the family--and it is also my wish that in case the provision herein made for my beloved and faithful wife, Elizabeth H. Bronson, shall not prove sufficient for her comfortable support--then and in that case, the said Simeon F. Bronson, my son, shall give one fourth of all his earnings to the assistance of his mother, my faithful wife, Elizabeth H. Bronson, until he shall become twenty one (21) years of age.
Item. Fifth--I hereby appoint my sons, Ira V. Bronson and Daniel W. Bronson, as the executors of this my last will and testament, and I authorize them to dispose of all my personal property; also for a judgement I hold against Edward Williams, described on the docket of the court at Wilkes Barre--No. 1099. October Term 1871, for the amount of Two Thousand, nine hundred ($2,900) dollars, with interest from April 1871; Provided, said judgement shall not be disposed of before my decease. The proceeds to be applied tothe payment of my debts, and if after paying my debts, there shall be a residue, such residue shall be so invested, that my wife Elizabeth H. Bronson, shall receive the interest arising therefrom: which residue, if remaining, at the time of her death, may be disposed of among our children, (which shall be living), as she may direct.
Also, I appoint and authorize my eldest son, Ira V. Bronson, the first named of my executors, to make, sign, seal and deliver all deeds contemplated by this, my last will and testament, as fully and completely, as if I myself were living and had done the same;--in each case. The party receiving the deed to pay all expenses incurred in making, acknowledging and Recording said deed or deeds.
Also, it is my will and I do appoint that my said beloved and faithful wife, Elizabeth H. Bronson, shall have the guardianship of my minor children, Simeon F. Bronson, and Sarah C. Bronson--as also grandchildren; Oliver P. Williams and Elizabeth Hatten named in the will, and that she shall not be required to give bonds.
In witness whereof I Jonah R. Bronson the testator, have (illegible) last will, written on two sheets of paper, set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of December A. D., one thousand eight hundred and seventy five.
Jonah R. Bronson
Signed sealed, published and declared by the above names Jonah R. Bronson as and for his last will and testament, in the presence of us, who have hereunto subscribed our names at his request, as witnesses hereto in the presence of the said testator and of each other.
Isaac Tripp
Joseph Smith
S. A. Barber
Date of death Tuesday the 11th day of July 1876 at 12 o'colock
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