Old Legal Documents The Johnstown Tribune of last evening prints the first mortgage ever recorded in Cambria County, dated March 14, 1806, and also the last will and testament of Rev. Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin, familiarly known as the "Apostle of the Alleghenies." The latter document reads as follows: In the name of God. Amen. I, Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin, Parish Priest of St. Michael's Church, near Loretto, in the County of Cambria, and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making null and void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made, and as to such worldly estate as it has pleased God to trust me with, I dispose of the same as follows; First, I direct that all my debts and funeral expenses shall be paid as soon after my decease as possible, and for the purpose of enabling my Executors to do so, I hereby authorize them to sell and convey, by sufficient deed or deeds, to the purchase or purchases thereof, any part of my real estate except such parts as are hereinafter disposed of. I give and bequeath to the Right Reverend Francis Patrick Kenrick, Bishop of Arath and coadjutor of the Bishop of Philadelphia, and to his successor, or to the Bishop that may be appointed for the Western district of Pennsylvania, and his successor (when such appointment shall be made), in trust forever for the support and use of the Roman Catholic clergy duly appointed by said Bishop or Bishops, or their successors, according to the rites of the Holy Roman Catholic church, to officiate at St. Michael's church above mentioned, all the farm whereon said church is erected, together with the lands and appurtenances thereto belonging. I also give and bequeath to the Bishop or Bishops above mentioned, in trust forever, for the purpose of erecting a church thereon, all that square of six lots in the town of Loretto, known and numbered in the plan of said town as Nos. 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30. I give and bequeath to Mary Wharton the sum of five hundred dollars, to be paid by my executors to her. I give and bequeath to Catharine Wharton the sum of (*) two hundred and seventy-five dollars. And, whereas, there is money due me from Europe, the receipt of which is doubtful, I therefore direct my executors to exercise a sound discretion in distributing according to circumstances the residue of my estate, as follows, viz: One part or portion towards the relief of poor widows and orphans; one other portion for masses for the souls of the faithful departed; one other part to aid in the erection of a Catholic church in the town of Loretto, upon the lots above described; and one other part ot be paid to Susanna Christy, Sarah Durbin, Elizabeth Durbin, Ann Storm, Francis McConnell, and Hugh McConnell, all of whom were raised by me. And I do hereby constitute and appoint Michael Levy, William Todd and Henry J. McGuire executors of this my last will and testament. In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the 25th day of April, A. D., 1840. *The words "two hundred and seventy-five dollars" {interlined in deed} interlined before signing. Signed, sealed, declared and delivered in the presence of the testator and each other subscribed as witnesses. Demetrius Aug. Gallitzin Patrick Shields Peter Christy Augustine Holt. Annie Whiteman PABlair Rootsweb List Administrator Annie Whiteman/Steve Patz Blair County Coordinators http://www.rootsweb.com/~pablair