Person:William Ferguson (42)

History of Coles Co. under heading of Joseph M. Ferguson, states that his paternal grandfather was Stephen Ferguson and that he was a native of England and a member of the British army. I believe it should have said William James Ferguson and not Stephen. The only Stephen Ferguson mentioned in Heverly's History of Bradford Co. and also his History of Sheshequin is the son of William and Patience. Both histories state that Stephen Ferguson married either "a Miss Atwood" or "Polly Atwood"; Polly Atwood is the mother of Joseph Ferguson. The History of Sheshequin says that Stephen went west with his mother in 1839.

Per the DAR centennial edition, a Wm. was a FifMaj from PA but I can't be certain it's our William.

Below is a copy of his will, contributed to the Bradford Co., PA GenWeb site by Debi Krych: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Stephen Ferguson Executor of William Ferguson

"In the name of God Amen. Now Know ye, that I, William Ferguson of the Township of Wysox, County of Bradford, and State of Pennsylvania being in a low state of health and desirous of making this Instrument as my last will and testament 1st It is my desire and Will at my death to have expensed out of my effects a sufficient compensation to give my Body a decent Burial committing my Soul to God-- 2ndly It is my desire that my landed property should be kept together for the comfort and support of my Kind and well respected Wife Patience -- and considering a duty Incumbent on me do Will that She have a decent and good support from the Holmestead lot of farm called the middle lot during her natural life and the bay mare for her riding Beast and one cow. 3rdly--To my children have set apart for each of them, and do Will and Bequeath unto them as follows-- 1st To Stephen Ferguson one hundred dollars, 2ndly -- To my Daughter Ruth Em, wife of Isaac J. Horton fifty dollars -- 3rdly To my Daughter Jemimah wife of Jesse R. Drake Sixty dollars -- 4thly To my Daughter Elizabeth Wife of Elijah Horton, Jr. Sixty Dollars -- 5thly -- To Benjamin Ferguson my Son Sixty Dollars and the five above named children to have their portion paid to them as soon after my death as it will be conveint (convenient?) to settle of all my Lawfull debts which I am now oweing and including the amt due the State for the Land and not till then, if it should not exceed five years, and then, to be paid in property at the apraisal of men. 6thly -- To my Son William the Middle Lot to Include the Homestead Subject to my wife's thirds(?) as my desire is that he Should remain with his mother. and also Subject to the payment of one hundred dollars toward Heirs Portion -- 7th to Arnold my Son, the Lower lot of land adjoining L.(?) S. Horton and the parts when he shall become of age. Subject to his paying two hundred dollars towards, heirs Portion. 8thly --To my Son Curtis the North East Lot of Land adjoining Stephen Ferguson and the Drakes when he shall become of age, and subject to his paying forty dollars toward the heirs portion --- It is my desire that my three sons William Arnold and Curtis Should Remain with their Mother in the full occupancy of the Holmestead untill they become of age and that all my movable property shall be considered by them to be applied to the dischargeing and payment of Debt, due from use and that William, Arnold and Curtis shall be considered equal in proportion in paying and securing the title of the three lots Subject to the council and direction of my Son, Stephen to pay all lawful debts as before mentioned as well as physicians for attending to me in sickness. That the Sheep is to be considered to belong to my affectionate Wife for use and for clothing the family. As a Kind and affectionate Family it is my desire that they keep together all the balance of Property after paying the Debts for the comfort and at the direction of my wife Hereby Will authorise and appoint Stephen Ferguson my First Son to be the Lawfull Executor of this my last Will and Testament and to direct and order all things concerning my Estate accordingly and hoping that this my last Will and Testament will be considered effective and binding upon all my beloved children that no disturbance nor bad feelings should arise among them after I Shall be dead and gone. Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30th day of January 1826 Making void all former Wills and Memorandums concerning my affairs and Estate -- In the presence of Harry Morgan William Ferguson

Probate received and letter testamentary granted to Stephen Ferguson of Bradford County Executor of the foregoing Will this first day of April A. D. 1826. He having been duly sworn well and truly to administer said estate exhibit a true Inventory and render a just account of his (?) administration according to law given under the seal of the Register's office this 1st day of April Anno Domini 1826."