William Ross

     William was born before 1774 in Wayne Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. The 1800 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Wayne Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, the family of.¹ The 1810 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Wayne Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, the family of William Ross [30001:12021].² The 1820 U.S. Federal Census enumerates at Wayne Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, the family of William Ross [000001:00111].³ William made his will on 17 June 1825 at Wayne Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.

In the name of God, Amen I, William Ross, of the township of Wayne, in the county of Mifflin & state of Pennsylvania, farmer, being in health of body & of sound mind, memory and understanding – but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit-
Principally and first of all, I commend my immortal soul into the hands of God who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a descent and Christian like manner at the deseretain of my executors here in after named and as to such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless it with in this life I gave and dispose of the same in the following manner to wit
Secondly item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Jane Ross six acres of land, a part of the farm on which I now reside situate in the township of Wayne adjoining lands of the glein of John Postlethwait, deceased, the glein of Samuel Vins & others to be struck of the part of the said lands as it joins the lands of Joseph Glauard, esquire and the gleins of Samuel Vines, desceased so as to include the house where David Wallace now resides to be struck of at the discretion of my executors so as to include said house to her and her heirs and assigns forever together with all my personal property.
Third Item – And the residue of my real estate I order and allow to be sold by my executors as soon after my death as can be conviently done and the money arising from said sale after deducting all necessary expenses legal charges and paying all just debts to be divided as follows. To wit – to my son, John Ross, twenty dollars; to my son, James Ross, twenty dollars; to my daughter, Elizabeth, twenty dollars; to my daughter, Abigail, twenty dollars; and the remainder to be equally divided between my daughters Mary, Catherine & Jane.
And lastly, I nominate, constitute and appoint John Hanawalt
and Thomas J. Postlewait, both of Wayne Township, in the said county of Mifflin to be the executors of this my last will hereby revoking all other will, legacies and bequests by me heretofore made and declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament in witness thereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this seventh day of June A.D. 1825.
William [his mark] Ross

Signed sealed and delivered 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 McDowell, James Corbett.⁴

William departed this life before 26 August 1826 in Wayne Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. His will was probated on 26 August 1826 at Wayne Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. The inventory of William's estate was taken on Friday, 1 September 1826 at Wayne Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. William's wife died shortly before he wrote his will. It was indicated in the inventory of his estate that Theophilus Baird was paid for filling in both graves.