Patrick Cavit was my 6th great-grandfather. He served in the Revolutionary War – and someday I’m hoping to do my DAR paperwork on his line.
This is a transcription of his will, dated 1 Aug 1824. I am related through his son, George.
In the Name of God Amen. I Patrick Cavit of the county of Allegheny and state of Penn. being in my usual stae of health, but through old age, and viewing my mortality approaching. Do this 1st, of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four, make and publish this my last will and testament in the manner following –
I give and bequeath to my Wife, all the furniture of the house, and to be at her Disposal, at her death, with the house and garden during her life, with one cow and horse equal to any I posses and four sheep, which are to be kept by my son Samuel on the place: and he is to sow her one half bushel flax-seed yearly. And further she is to have the fifth that the Mill makes yearly from James and the fifth that is raised on the place by Samuel (and as to support a sufficing of flour and meat are to be given her for support by Samuel)
I give and bequeath to my son George Cavit one Dollar, to my Daughter Hannah one Dollar, and to my son-in-law Thomas Hogg one Dollar.
I give and bequeath to my Daughter Nancy forty Dollars, the young mare, a cow, and two sheep, which are to be kept on the place by Samuel if she is pleased to keep them. She is to live with her Mother during her Mother’s life and at her Mother’s death, to have the house in which her Grand-mother now lives, repaired for her by James and Samuel, which shall be hers, during her life; and Samuel is to sow her one half bushel of flax-seed yearly; and He and James, are to give her what grain, she will need for support.
I give and bequeath to my Daughter Margaret one hundred dollars my loom and gears essential to the weaving of linnen.
To my son William I give and bequeath sixty Dollars, a bed and bedstead and to live with his Mother during her life, if he pleases.
To My son James, I give and bequeath the Mill and thirty acres of land which land is to command the water from my line, below the mill, to the head of the lower dam, where a maple tree stands, and to take in his house + garden; out of which he is to pay three hundred dollars in the following manners: one year after my death, fifty dollars to my son John Cavit, the year following fifty dollars to my daughter Margaret McGinnis; the year following fifty dollars to my daughter Jane Purdy; the year following fifty dollars to my son John Cavit; the year following fifty dollars to my daughter Margaret McGinnis, and the year following fifty dollars to my daughter Jane Purdy.
To my son John Cavit I give and bequeath to what I have given him one hundred dollars to be paid as above.
I give and bequeath to my son Samuel Cavit, the whole of the place on which I live (except what I have given to James) the Waggon, plow, barrow, horse-gears, wind-mills, a bed and bed cloath? and all of my personal property not already bequeathed out of which he is to pay his sister Nancy forty dollars, and his brother William sixty dollars. William’s to be paid one year after my death and Nancy’s the year following; and to do for his mother and sister as already specified. Together with Samuel and James providing fire-wood for their mother and sister during their lives.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Jane Purdy after what she has got one hundred dollars to be paid as above specified.
I make and ordain William Cavit and Wm Wilson my sole Executors of this my last will and testament; in witness where of the said Patrick Cavit have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
Signed, sealed, and published by the same Patrick Cavit for his last will and testament in the Presence of us, who were at the sealing and ? there of.
Robert Wilson
James Wilson Patrick Cavit (seal)
