Cindy, You may have already seen this on the Venango Co. PA website but I thought I'd copy it to the list in case you hadn't. I don't know if any of the Downing's in this are related to your family but....again...just in case. Sharon Last Will and Testament of William Downing Posted by Mike Gordon <MGPAKY@AOL.COM> on Tue, 22 Jun 1999 Surname: Downing, Ball, Davis, Gates, Myers, Jeyers LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF WILLIAM DOWNING In the name of God Amen....To William Downing of Richland Township, Venango County and State of Pennsylvania; Being sick and weak in body. But of perfect Mind and Memory, Thanks be given unto God. Calling unto mind the Mortality of my Body, and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament; That is to say, Principally and first of all, To give and recommend my soul into the hand of Almighty God that gave it, and my body I recommend into the Earth, to be buried in a decent Christian burial, at the discretion of my Execistoro: nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection, I shall recieve the same again,by the Might and Power of God...and as touching such worldly estate wherwith it has pleased God to bless men in life, I give, Demise, and dispose of the same in the following Manner and form.... First, I give and bequeath, unto my beloved wife Hannah Downing, one cow, ten Bushels of Good wheat, and four Bushels of Buck wheat and corn per year During her widowhood, or her natural life, five pounds of coffee, one pound of tea and the wool of three sheep, on hundred weight of pork, and one hundred weight of beef or Venison per year and every Article that she brought with her when I married her; to be levied out of my Estate. Item 2nd, I give and bequeath unto my son in law John B. Ball Two dollars to be levied out of my Estate. Item 3rd, I give and bequeath unto my son James Downing Two dollars to be levied out of my Estate. Item 4th, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Martha Davis Two dollars to be raised and levied out of my Estate. Item 5th, I give and bequeath unto my son Andrew Downing Two dollars to raised and levied out of my Estate. Item 6th, I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Gates Two dollars to be raised and levied out of my Estate. Item 7th, I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Jane Gates Two dollars to be raised and levied out of my Estate. Item 8th, I give and bequeath unto my Son John Downing Two dollars to be raised and levied out of my Estate. Item 9th, I give and bequeath unto my Son William Downing Two dollars and one yearling colt to be raised and levied out of my Estate. The colt to be given as soon as it can be raised. Item 10th, I give and bequeath unto my son Robert Downing Two dollars to be raised and levied out of my Estate. Item 11th, I give and bequeath unto my son Alexander Downing, my plantation where I now reside and all my personal property with all outstanding Debts and demands whatsoever. By his paying all my lawful Debts and the above Legacies, and too by the presents constitute, my and ordain my son Alexander Downing, the sole executor of this my last will and testament, and all, and singular, my lands jessuages and tenements, by him freely to be possessed and enjoyed.. And I do herby utterly disallow, Revoke, and Diassume all and every other former testaments, will, legacies; bequeaths, and executors, by me anywise before named, willed, and bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this, and no other , to be my last will and testament... I witness where of, I have here unto set my hand and seal , this twenty first day of august in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and twenty nine... Signed , sealed , Published, pronounced; and Declared by said William Downing, as his last will and testament, in the presence of us, who in his presence, and in the presence of the other have subscribed our names. Henry Myers Senior George S. Jeyers William X Myers (His mark between William and Myers) Source: Transcribed Last Will and Testament of William Downing: Original Copy from Venango County Records: provided by Dennis Downing