The Will of James Robb -- Sandy Creek Twp., Crawford Co., Pennsylvania
Notes:
James Robb was my 5th great-grandfather, born about 1725 in Pennsylvania to John Robb and Martha Corcoran, my immigrant ancestors of the Robb branch of my family. John and Martha were from Saintfield, County Down, Ulster, Ireland and were of Scots-Irish descent.
James Robb married Martha Pollack probably about 1755 in Pennsylvania, possibly in Westmoreland County. They had a total of 7 children, including my 4th great-grandmother, Hannah Robb, who married Rev. Robert Mason Elrod in Mason County, Kentucky December 1791.
James had a younger brother named Robert who opposed the Revolutionary War and was persecuted in his community for his views. He was placed under house arrest and put on trial for those views, but was acquitted, I believe, in 1797. There is a publication called “The Life and Times of Robert Robb” by John F. Meginness (1899) which can be found in PDF format here through Google Books which describes what information is known about the Robb family and the circumstances that lead to the persecution of Robert Robb. It’s well worth the read to anyone who might be researching this family.
My family line from my grandfather, Lionel Howard Hamilton to James Robb:
Lionel Howard Hamilton -- Noah Frederick Hamilton and Maud Mae McElfresh -- William E. Hamilton and Susan Frances Mains -- Charles Hamilton and Mary Martha Elrod -- Robert Mason Elrod and Sarah Wiley -- Rev. Robert Mason Elrod and Hannah Robb -- James Robb and Martha Pollack
Date of Will -- April 15, 1803
Date Probated -- June 20, 1809
Filed in Mercer County, Pennsylvania
In the name of God, Amen, I, James Robb, of Crawford County and Sandy Creek Township, being in good health and sound memory, do this fifteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and three, publish this my last Will and Testament in the manner following.
First, I give unto my dear wife fifty acres of land joining John Pollack Robb, John Montgomery, and Robert Morgan, to her, her heirs and assigns, together with all my personal estate, and further to Thomas Robb, John Pollack Robb, Mary Wilson, Elizabeth McMillan, and Margaret McMillan, to each of them I allow one fourth of a dollar. As for my daughter, Hannah Elrod, which has not got her full share, I recommend her to her mother’s care as her ability or discretion will direct. And I appoint my son, Thomas Robb, and my dear wife Executor and Executrix of the above part of my last Will and Testament. And further that tract of land in Westmoreland County and South Huntingdon Township, described in my deeds of conveyance from James Wilson, I give and bequeath in the manner following.
First, I give two children’s part to my daughter, Mary Wilson, to her son, James, I give two children’s part, to Elizabeth Wilson I give one child’s part, to Martha Wilson I give one child’s part, to Mary Wilson, Jr., I give one child’s part, and to John Wilson I give one child’s part. And further I give the rents and profits of the land to my daughter, Mary Wilson, for maintaining the children, if she thinks necessity requires it, she may sell twenty acres of land, not exceeding twenty five acres next to Gasper Merrils or next Morgans or McClint(?) corner, maintaining and schooling the children. The land is not to be sold till John Wilson is fourteen years of age. I do appoint Andrew Finally, Esq., and my daughter, Mary Wilson, Executor and Executrix of this part of my last Will and Testament.
Signed and sealed the day and year above written in presence of us.
William Wylie, Ithiel Dod
James Robb (his seal)
We do hereby certify this fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and three, that James Robb appears sufficiently capable of making a judicious and equal distribution of his property. Certified by us.
William Wylie, Ithiel Dod
Mercer County S.S. -- personally appeared before me, one of Common Wealths justices of the peace in and for Mercer County, the subscribing witness, Ithiel Dod, and being sworn according to law on his solemn oath doth depose and say that on the fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and three, that the above mentioned James Robb appeared sufficiently capable of making a judicious and equal distribution of his property.
Ithiel Dod
Sworn and subscribed before me this twentieth day of June, 1809.
James Montgomery
Westmoreland County S. S. -- William Wiley personally appeared before me, one of the justices of the peace for the county of Westmoreland, and being duly sworn declared that he believes James Robb was capable of making a judicious and equitable distribution of his property at the time of making the within Will.
Wm. Wiley
Sworn and subscribed before me July 3, 1812.
Joseph Finley
Registered June 22, 1815
Source:
FamilySearch.org
Pennsylvania Wills
Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Wills 1804-1853, Vol. 1-3, pg. 58
Transcribed by V. Burton