Last will and testament of William Porter, signed 12 July 1851.
Handwritten by James S. Craft (one of the witnesses) and signed on each page by Wm. Porter.

From the Office of the Register of Wills, County of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Will Book 7, page 145, #107.

[Full text:]

In the name of God. Amen

I William Porter, late one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, now of Pitt Township in said County, grateful to Divine Providence for the share of worldly property committed to my care, and desirous while sufficient bodily health and strength remain, with the blessing of full enjoyment of mind and memory to arrange the disposition of said property so that the same may be possessed in peace and friendship by those to whom it may be devised, Do make this my last will and testament.

After payment of my just debts and charges except the debt of Ten Thousand Dollars, which is due for monies borrowed for investment in the lumber business, and payable to the Merchants and Manufacturers Bank of Pittsburgh, and which is provided to be paid specially in the manner hereinafter mentioned.

I direct and devise all my household goods, furniture and personal property of visible and moveable kind at and about my dwelling house to be inventoried and remain for the use of my present family while living together, viz for my four sons and four unmarried daughters, and in the event of their separation said property to be divided between them equally under an appraisement by judicious persons of their own selection, or if they shall not agree, of my Executors, or if necessary by sale thereof. Any surplus arising from collections of Bonds or other debts, or from sales of Stock or other resources to be equally divided among those devisees to whom the sum of One Thousand Dollars is hereafter effectively bequeathed except James M. and William M., viz to Thomas Scott for use of Robert, to Francis, Martha, Jane, Elizabeth and Cornelia.

I devise to Thomas Scott Esquire and to his heirs and assigns forever, in trust to hold the same for the use and benefit of my son, Robert Porter Esquire, the following real and personal property. viz. One half section of Land, or Three Hundred and Twenty acres in the State of Illinois.

Also seven lots, as numbered in the plan of Lots being William Porter's first plan of Lots, located in the Sixth and Seventh Wards of the City of Pittsburgh, Vine Street being the line of Division in said plan between said wards, as Lots Numbers Thirty Nine to Forty Five both numbers inclusive, and Eight Lots in said plan numbered Forty Eight to Fifty five, both numbers inclusive.

Also, One Thousand Dollars in Cash, to be paid in annual sums of not more than Two Hundred Dollars a year without interest.

The said Thomas Scott is hereby authorized and requested to receive the rents of said property and the interest of said monies properly invested and to pay over said rents and interest as received to my said son, and to sell said property if deemed advisable by him and to make a perfect title to the purchaser, and to invest the proceeds of said sales in securities or other property so that the income thereof may be received and paid over for the benefit of my said son, without said property, monies or the income or interest thereof being subject to the debts of my said son, or to any lien, incumbrance, attachment or Execution against him and upon the death of said Robert said property to be conveyed [in fee?] to his legal heirs.


I devise to my son William M. Porter and to his heirs and assigns forever, the following property. viz,

Eight Lots in the foregoing described plan as numbered Thirty One to Thirty Eight, both numbers inclusive. Also

Nine Lots in the same plan, numbered from Fifty Six to Sixty Four, both numbers inclusive.

Also. One Half of my share, or interest in the Lumber Business with which I am connected in partnership, with Lot O. Reynolds, viz. one fourth of the whole investment in said business, subject however to the payment of one half of the note, drawn by me, and endorsed by Thomas Scott Esq. discounted by the Merchants and Manufacturers Bank of Pittsburgh, the whole note being Ten Thousand Dollars and the half to be assumed and paid by said William M. Porter as the condition of his right and title to said share in said business, being Five Thousand Dollars.

Also, One Thousand Dollars in Cash, and half the interest which may accrue on my Bond until the pecuniary legacies hereby given are paid.


I devise to my son, James M. Porter and to his heirs and assigns forever, the following property, viz Thirteen Lots in the foregoing described plan as Numbered One to Thirteen both numbers inclusive.

Also, Seven Lots in the same plan, numbered Twenty to Twenty Six both numbers inclusive.

Also, One half of my share or interest in the Lumber business, with which I am connected in partnership with Lot O. Reynolds, viz, one fourth of the whole investment in said business, subject however to the payment of one half of the note drawn by me and Endorsed by Thomas Scott, Esq. discounted by the Merchants and Manufacturers Bank of Pittsburg, the whole note being Ten Thousand Dollars and the half to be assumed and paid by said James M. Porter as the condition of his right and title to said share in the business being Five Thousand Dollars.

Also One Thousand Dollars in Cash, and half the interest which may accrue on my Bond until the pecuniary legacy hereby given are paid.


I devise to my son, Francis B. Porter and to his heirs and assigns forever the following property, viz.

Six Lots in the foregoing described plan as numbered from Numbers Fourteen to Nineteen inclusive of both numbers.

Also, Four Lots in same plan numbered from Twenty Seven to Thirty, both inclusive. Also

One Half Section of Land or Three hundred and twenty acres in the State of Illinois.

Also One Thousand Dollars in Cash to be paid as the former bequest of this kind and amount.


I devise to Thomas Scott, Esquire, and to his heirs and assigns forever in trust to hold the same for the use and benefit of my daughter Mrs. Mary N. McConaghy the following real property, viz.

Twenty Six Lots in the Second plan of Lot, laid out by said William Porter (Said Lots being situated in the Seventh Ward of the City of Pittsburgh and in Pitt Township.) and numbered from One to Twenty Six both numbers inclusive.

Five Lots in same plan numbered from one Hundred and forty one to One Hundred and forty five both numbers inclusive. Also

The tract of land on which the said Mrs. Mary N. McConaghy now lives situated in Township No. 42, Range No. 2, Ogle County, State of Illinois, with its improvements and Also

Twenty Acres of timbered land running one hundred sixty perches in length by twenty perches in breadth from the western fence of the above tract Reserving.

Also, the land lately purchased by me from [H]ossington containing Five Acres according to the Deed from said Vendor

Also the said Thomas Scott is hereby authorized and requested to permit the said premises to be occupied and Enjoyed by the said Mary N. and her husband Dr. John McConaghy during their natural lives and that of the survivor of them and after the death of both to convey said premises to the surviving children of the said Mary or to sell the said premises, if advisable, and purchase other land with the proceeds of such sale and hold the same in and upon the said trust.


I devise to my daughter Martha Porter and to her heirs and assigns forever the following described property, viz

Twenty Six Lots in the plan last above described and numbered from Twenty Seven to Fifty Two, both numbers inclusive. Also

Five Lots in the same plan numbered from One hundred forty six to One hundred and fifty, both inclusive.

Also One Half Section or Three Hundred and Twenty Acres of land in the State of Illinois.

Also One Thousand Dollars in Cash to be paid as the former bequest of this kind and amount.


I devise to my daughter Jane Porter, and to her heirs and assigns forever, the following property, viz

Twenty Six Lots in the plan last described, being numbered from Fifty Three to Seventy Eight both numbers inclusive. Also

Six Lots in the same plan numbered from One hundred and fifty six to One hundred and Sixty One both inclusive.

Also One Half Section or Three Hundred and Twenty Acres of land in the State of Illinois.

Also One Thousand Dollars in Cash, to be paid as former bequests of this kind and amount.



I devise to my daughter Elizabeth and to her heirs and assigns forever, the following property, viz

Twenty Six Lots in the plan last described numbered from Seventy nine to One hundred and four both numbers inclusive, on which are erected the dwelling House in which I now live, with its appurtenances. Also

One Half Section or Three Hundred and Twenty Acres of same in the State of Illinois.

Also, One Thousand Dollars in Cash, to be paid as former bequests of this kind and amount.


I devise to my daughter Cornelia and to her heirs and assigns forever the following described property

Twenty Six Lots in the plan last described numbered from One Hundred and five to One hundred and Thirty, both numbers inclusive. Also

Ten Lots in the plan aforesaid numbered from One Hundred and Thirty One to One hundred and forty both numbers inclusive. Also

Five Lots in the same plan numbered from One hundred and fifty One to one hundred and fifty five both numbers inclusive. Also

One Lot on Kirkpatrick Street numbered One Hundred and Sixty two. Also

One Half Section or Three Hundred and twenty Acres of Land in the State of Illinois.

Also, One Thousand Dollars in Cash, to be paid as former bequests of this kind and amount.


I also devise and direct that the sixty acres of Timbered Land remaining after the twenty acres are taken off for the use of Mrs. McConaghy from the former quantity of Eighty Acres in Township No. 42 Ogle County in the State of Illinois, and the Eighty Acres of timbered Land be equally divided to and among the devisees of the Half Sections of the Illinois Land already disposed of viz To Thomas Scott, in trust as before mentioned for Robert, and to Francis, Martha, Jane, Elizabeth and Cornelia my children aforesaid, to be held by them as the other property respectively devised. The division of the said timbered land to be made and completed by Duncan Ferguson Esq. of Rockford, Winebago County Illinois. Also the assignment to each devisee of the half section of land to those named as entitled.

In witness whereof I have signed this my will in eleven pages at the foot of each page and at the clon[?] thereof this twelfth of July AD Eighteen hundred and fifty one.

[signed] Wm. Porter

In the presence of
James S. Craft
J. S. Coone[?]
Ths. Sargent


Allegheny County
Be it known that on the 28th day of July AD 1851 personally came before me James D. Scott, Deputy Register and for said county James S. Craft Esq. and Thos. Sargent two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of writing, who being by me duly sworn and depose and say that they saw and heard the testator Wm. Porter decd, sign publish and declare it as being of and for his last will and testament that at the time of so doing he was of sound mind, memory, and understanding to the best of their judgment and beleif, that at his request and in his presence they subscribed their names as witnesses thereof.

Given under my hand the above date.

[signed] James D Scott, Depty Registrar

Hon Wm. Porter
Will No. 107, Vol. 7
Received July 30, 1851 in will vol. 7