About Benjamin Brownfield, Sr.
ID: I10169
Name: Benjamin BROWNFIELD
Sex: M
Birth: 1 MAY 1755 in Winchester, VA
Death: 20 DEC 1823 in Fayette Co, PA
Note:
He owned property at 6 Elbow St in Uniontown, Fayette Co, PA in 1776.
Purchased his father's Fayette Co farm in 1783 when his father moved to KY.
Head of household in 1790 census living in Union Township, Fayette County, PA with 1 male over 15, 1 male under 16, & 3 females.
Head of household over age 44 in 1800 census living in Union Township, Fayette County, PA with 1 male 16-25, 1 male 10-15, 1 female over 44, & 1 female 10-15.
Head of household over age 44 in 1810 census living in Union Township, Fayette County, PA with 1 male under 10, 1 female over 44, & 1 female 16-25.
Head of household over age 44 in 1820 census living in Union Township, Fayette County, PA with 1 female over 44, 1 female 16-25, & 1 female 10-15.
WILL: Benjamin Brownfield, Sr., January 5, 1824: Union Township, Fayette County, PA
I Benjamin Brownfield, Sr of Union Township Fayette County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania being at present of sound and disposing mind, and reflecting on the uncertainty of the mortal life, have thought to make my last Will and testament.
In the first place I order all my just debts to be fully paid - Secondly I direct my Executor to cause my body to be decently interred. Thirdly I allow my affectionate and beloved wife the full use of my houses and furniture now in my occupancy together with the use of the garden now used by her with an uninterrupted egress and regress too and from the same at all times also the like privilege and use of the water during her life - also two cows of her choice and her riding mare saddle and bridle. Fourthly I allow her interest of all the monies that may be on hand, "and my own property," and as well the interest of all monies already put to interest "or that may be before my decease" to be at my wife's disposal for her support and comfort during her life (should she survive me). In case she should survive me, at her decease, my executor is hereby directed to pay unto my grandson Benjamin Pritchet one hundred dollars. Also to my grandson Charles Brownfield son of my son Benjamin Brownfield one hundred dollars. But if both or either of my aforesaid grandsons should die without lawful issue, their or either of their bequests is to be equally divided amongst my three surviving children, or in case of the death of either, among their or either of the deceased's lawful heirs. I devise and bequeath to my son Benjamin all my real estate, my clock, and large Bible. My silver spoons to be equally divided between my two daughters, Mary Brown and Sarah Pritchet, or their rightful representatives. The residue of my personal estate consisting of money or whatever property that may be or remain at the death of my wife (should she survive me) or at my death (should I survive her) is to be equally divided between my three children viz Mary, Benjamin, and Sarah, before mentioned or their respective legal heirs. It is my further will and desire that when the amount of the residue of my personal estate before mentioned shall be fully ascertained after the decease of my wife "should she survive me" or after my death "should I survive her" shall be equally divided between my three children viz Mary, Benjamin, and Sarah, or their respective heirs. And if my three before named children or their legal representative can and do agree upon an equal distribution of the remainder of my personal property before mentioned after the same shall have been valued and appraised, it would be most agreeable to my wishes. Otherwise to be sold at public venue and the monies arising therefrom to be equally divided as aforesaid. And it is my further will and desire that should my wife survive me as aforesaid, that she shall have pasture sufficient for the creatures before mentioned in the season and pastures and also to be sufficiently provided for through the winter. Also suitable firewood laid convenient sufficient for her use at all seasons.
Lastly, I do hereby nominate and appoint my son Benjamin Brownfield to be sole executor of this my Will, setting aside any former or other Will or Wills heretofore by me made.
Witness my hand and seal the eighth day of August one thousand, and eight hundred and twenty one.
Benjamin Brownfield his mark
Signed and sealed in our presence after the same having been distinctly read to him by the latter signer in the presence of the former-
Alexander McLean, Senior
Moses McLean
This fifth day of January 1824 before me James Morris Deputy Register for the Probate of Wills and granting letters of Administration in and for said county personally came Alexander McLean Senior Esqr and Moses McLean the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing will, and being duly sworn according to law, did depose and say that they saw the testator sign and seal the foregoing instrument of writing, as and for this last will and testament, and that at the time of so doing he was of sound mind, memory, and understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said office the day and year above written.
James Morris, Deputy Register.
1
Father: Charles BROWNFIELD b: ABT 1713 in Scotland
Mother: Elizabeth "Betsy" BIRD b: 15 SEP 1718 in New Castle, Delaware
Marriage 1 Mary "Polly" CATHMAN b: 10 MAY 1756
Married:
Children
Benjamin BROWNFIELD b: 28 MAR 1780 in Fayette Co, PA
Mary BROWNFIELD b: 1 JAN 1778 in Pennsylvania
Sarah BROWNFIELD
Sources:
birth, death from Fayette County, Pennsylvania Vital Records, 1750-1890 from Ancestry.com
spouse from worldconnect.rootsweb.com, database "jeanray"
Gresham & Wiley, 1889: Biographical & Portrait Cyclopedia, Fayette Co, PA from PA GenWeb archives
1790 census for PA, Fayette Co, Union Twp, p 110
1800 census for PA, Fayette Co, Union Twp, p 615
1810 census for PA, Fayette Co, Union Twp, p 204
1820 census for PA, Fayette Co, Union Twp, p 155
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~beeson/utownplat.html
ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/fayette/wills/brownfieldb.txt
