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I note with sincere apologies that a year has gone by since I promised to follow up the Robert Heywood letters with transcriptions of wills related to the family of Noah and Alice Makinson. I hope you will find that the following wills are suitable for sharing on your site. The wills complement the letters and also contain a wealth of genealogical information.
The wills are transcribed from the copy books at the Bradford County Register and Recorder's Office, Towanda, and also from original probate records and family files at the Bradford County Historical Society Research Center in Towanda. Thanks are due to both organisations for their valuable help and assistance during my visit.
Although I couldn't find wills for either Noah or Alice Makinson, the following were identified, and I have added a few notes for clarification.
1. Ann Makinson. The eldest daughter of Noah and Alice, a recipient
of a letter from Robert Heywood in 1851. The family's strong connection
with the Congregational Church is clear from her bequest. The inventory
of her possessions is fascinating and probably typical of the time.
Two sons of her brother John Makinson of Attleborough Mass, and referenced
in Ann's will, served in the Civil War. William Henry Makinson served as
a private in the 32nd Massachusetts Infantry, later moving to California,
as shown by the 1880 and 1910 censuses, and is buried in San Francisco
National Cemetery.
John Francis Makinson served as a musician in Company I, 7th Massachusetts
Volunteer Infantry, reference page 206 'A Sketch of the History
of Attleborough' by John Daggett, 1894. It is interesting to note that
Ezra Lyon of Warren Township, a nephew of Noah and Alice's daughter Hannah,
also served in the same company as John Francis, as shown by Daggett, page
487 of 'A History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania' 1878
by David Craft, and additionally by his County Veterans Grave Registration
Record. Ezra Lyon is buried in Darling Cemetery, Orwell, and the Makinson
connection explains why he enlisted in a Massachusetts regiment.
Ann is buried with her parents in LeRaysville cemetery.
2. James Makinson. Son of Noah and Alice. This is an example of 'letters of administration' where no will was recorded. James and his wife Elizabeth Watts are buried in Riverside Cemetery, Towanda.
3. Frances H. Makinson. Daughter of James Makinson, also buried in Riverside Cemetery, alongside her parents and her sister Alice Titus, the executor of her will.
4. Mahlon M. Makinson. Son of James Makinson, buried with the rest of the family in Riverside Cemetery.
5. Martha Buck. Youngest daughter of Noah and Alice, and wife of Samuel Buck, buried in LeRaysville cemetery as she requested in her will.
6. Samuel Buck. Married twice more after the death of Martha, as shown by his newspaper obituary; he is buried with Martha. His second wife was Elizabeth Spalding and his third wife Ella Stalford. Among his beneficiaries were the four children of his brother in law James Makinson. Samuel was the sixth son of William and Charlotte Buck, and was clearly a wealthy farmer. His property, where he lived from 1848 onwards, can be found in the 1869 Bradford county Historic Atlas, in Pike Township, just west of L.A. Bosworth's property. Noah Makinson and his daughter Ann were living with Samuel and Martha in the 1850 census, and Ann was still there in 1870. He was the brother of Perley Hanford Buck, County Commisioner's State Representative, and Revenue Collector for the US Government, a picture of whose residence appears on page 336 of David Craft's 'History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania' 1878.
I also have the wills of Perley Hanford Buck, and his son Samuel Ward Buck, the original executor of Samuel Buck's will, which I have yet to transcribe. Please let me know if these might be of interest in due course. Also available are newspaper obituaries of both Samuel Buck and Perley H. Buck, both buried in LeRaysville cemetery.
Best Regards,
Alan Hawkins
Will and Testament No. 2560 of Ann Makinson late of Pike.
Died Dec. 17. 1873. Filed & Probate made Dec 24 1873
In the name of God amen I Ann Makinson of the town of Pike in the County of Bradford and State of Pennsylvania being of sound mind and memory (blessed be Almighty God for the same) do make and publish this my last will and testament. I give and bequeath to my sister Hannah Lyon six hundred dollars. I give and bequeath to Margaret Lyon one hundred dollars. I give and bequeath to Sarah Lyon one hundred. I give and bequeath to my brother John Makinson three sons John F Makinson Wm H. Makinson Charly E. Makinson one hundred dollars each. I give and bequeath to Henry N. Gridley one hundred dollars. I give and bequeath to my brother James Makinson children Frances E. Makinson three hundred and fifty dollars & my feather bed, Mahlon M. Makinson, Alice J. Makinson, Ellie Makinson one hundred and fifty dollars each. The above legacies all to be paid within one year and six months after my death.
I give to the Congregational Church of Le Raysville Pa two hundred dollars in building a new Parsonage to be paid within two years after my death for which I am a member. I give and bequeath to my sister Martha Buck all the remainder of my property household goods clothing and of every description of property to hold as her own the same as I do after all my expenses is paid. If by failure by notes of mine that cannot be collected all shall share equal in the loss percent of the above legacies. I do nominate and appoint Samuel Buck to be the executor of this my last will and testament to collect all my debts and pay the above legacies in testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal and publish and decree this to be my last will and testament in presence of the witnesses named below this 26th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy one
Ann Makinson (L.S.)
Signed sealed declared and published by the said Ann Makinson as and for her last will and testament in presence of us who at her request and in her presence and in presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto
L.A. Bosworth
E.L. Bosworth
Estate of Ann Makinson late of Pike
Inventory filed March 10 1874
Bradford County, SS.
Personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County the following named persons, viz: G.W. Brink and P.H. Buck who upon their solemn oaths did say, that they, at the request of Samuel Buck would well and truly, and without prejudice and partiality, value and appraise the goods, chattels and credits which were of Ann Mackison deceased, and in all other respects perform their duties as Appraisers, to the best of their skill and judgement.
Sworn and subscribed before me S. Gorham J.P. Feb 23 1874.
Inventory and Appraisement of the Goods, Chattels, rights and credits which were of Ann Mackison late of Pike, deceased taken in conformity with the above deposition:
| Inventory | Dollars/Cents |
| 8 Cane Seat Chairs | $8.00 |
| 1 Small Cherry Table | $3.50 |
| 1 Feather Bed & pillows | $7.00 |
| 1 Melodion Stand | $2.00 |
| 1 Old Bureau | $3.00 |
| 1 Large Chest | $4.00 |
| 1 Small Chest | $2.00 |
| 1 Small Bookcase | $1.50 |
| 1 Valise | $1.25 |
| 1 Trunk | 3. 00 |
| 2 Clothes Baskets | $1.50 |
| 1 Large Waiter | $0.50 |
| 5 pairs Old Woollen Sheets | $10.00 |
| 1 Flwd Bed Spread | $6.00 |
| 1 Domestic Bed Spread | $3.00 |
| 8 Bed Quilts | $24.00 |
| 1 Fancy Quilt | $5.00 |
| 9 Comforters | $13.50 |
| 6 Tablecloths | $6.00 |
| 11 Towels | $2.50 |
| 6 Silver Teaspoons | $6.00 |
| 6 Silver Tablespoons | $12.00 |
Letters of Administration No. 2277 of James Makinson
Letters of Administration upon the Estate of James Makinson Decd granted to Elizabeth Makinson and Francis Watts they having first given bonds well and truly to administer upon the same according to law.
Given under the hand and official seal of the Register at Towanda Jany 17 1871.
Inventory filed Feby 21st 1871.
The Bond filed Jan 17th 1871 in the matter of the Est. of James Makinson
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT WE Elizabeth Mackinson, Francis Watts, W. Dittrich & W. B. Dodge are firmly bound into the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the sum of Fifteen Hundred Dollars lawful money, to be paid to the said Commonwealth, to which payment well and truly to be made, we do bind ourselves and each of us, for and in the whole, our and each of our heirs, executors, and adminstrators, jointly and severally by these presents. Sealed with our seals and dated the 17th day of January A.D., 1871.
THE CONDITION OF THE ABOVE OBLIGATION IS SUCH, That if the above bounden Elizabeth Mackinson, Francis Watts administrators of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits of James Mackinson deceased, do make, or cause to be made, a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased, which have or shall come into the hands, possession or knowledge of the said adminstrators or into the hands or possession of any other person or persons, for them and the said so made, do exhibit or cause to be exhibited in the Register’s Office in the County of Bradford, within thirty days from the date hereof, and the same goods, chattels and credits, and all other the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased, at the time of his death, which at any other time after shall come into the hands or possession of the said administrators or into the hands or possession of any other person or persons for them do well and truly administer according to law, and further do make, or cause to be made, a just and true account of their administration within one year of the date hereof, or when thereunto legally required and all the rest and residue of the said goods, chattels and credits, which shall be found remaining upon the said administrators accounts, the same being first examined and allowed by the Orphan’s Court of the County having jurisdiction, shall deliver and pay unto such person or persons as the said Orphan’s Court by their decree or sentence, pusuant to law, shall limit and appoint, and shall well and truly comply with the laws of this Commonwealth relating to collateral inheritances, and if it shall hereafter appear that any last will and testament was made by the said deceased, the same shall be proved according to law, if the said administrat being thereunto required, do surrender the said letters of administration into the Register’s Office aforesaid then this obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force.
IN PRESENCE OF Mrs Elizabeth Makinson
Francis Watts
W. Dittrich
W. B. Dodge
Will and Testament No. 8847 of Frances H. Mackinson
I Frances H. Mackinson of the Borough of Towanda, County of Bradford and State of Pennsylvania do hereby make publish and declare this my last will and testament.
I give bequeath and devise all my property, real personal and mixed to my sister Alice M. Titus of said Borough and I appoint her the executrix of this will.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 27th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and eight.
Frances H. Mackinson
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named Frances H. Mackinson as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names at her request as witnesses thereto, in the presence of said testator and of each other,
James Bryant
Nelle Bryant
Proof of the death of Frances H. Mackinson on December 24th AD 1910 made.
Admitted to probate January 5th AD 1910
William Foyle Register
Letters testamentary upon this estate of Frances H. Mackinson late of the Borough of Towanda, deceased, granted to Alice M. Titus, she having first been duly sworn.
Proof of death made as above.
Given under the hand and official seal of the Register, this the 17th day of March, A.D. 1911.
William Foyle Register
Will and Testament of Mahlon M. Makinson
I Mahlon M. Makinson of Towanda, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, being of sound mind, memory and understanding do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.
As to such estate as it has pleased God to entrust me with I dispose of the same as follows, viz:
Item:- I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Ellen D. Makinson all my property real, personal and mixed of whatsoever name or nature, kind or description or wheresover situate for her sole use and benefit and to her heirs and assigns for ever.
Lastly, I nominate, constitute and appoint my said wife Ellen D. Makinson, to be the executrix of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 3rd day of October 1893.
Mahlon M. Makinson
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named Mahlon M. Makinson as and for his last will and testament in our presence who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto at his request and in his presence and in presence of each other,
Wm. Maxwell
F. L. McGill
Admitted to probate April 18 1908
Chas P. Dewey Register
Letters testamentary upon the Estate of Mahlon M. Makinson late of the Boro of Towanda, deceased, granted to Ellen D. Makinson, she having first been duly sworn.
Proof of the death of Mahlon M. Makinson on the 14th day of April AD 1908 made.
Given under the hand and official seal of the Register this the 18th day of April A.D. 1908.
Chas P. Dewey Register
Will and Testament No. 3327 of Martha Buck deceased.
I Martha Buck of Pike Township County of Bradford and state of Pennsylvania being of sound mind memory and understanding praise to God for it, do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made And first I direct that my body be decently interred in the burrying ground at Leraysvill according to the rights and ceremonies of the Congregational Church and that my funeral be conducted in a manner corresponding with my estate and situation in life. As to such estate as it hath pleased God to entrust me with I dispose of the same as follows viz Item - I give and bequeath to my beloved husband Samuel Buck all of my property, real personal or mixed of whatever name nature or kind, or wherever situated or found to his absolutely and forever - Lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my husband Samuel Buck to be the executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made. In witness whereof I the said testator Martha Buck have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal this 16th day of December AD 1875.
Martha Buck
Signed, sealed, published and declared by me the said testator Martha Buck as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us who in her presence and at her request have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto Dec 16 1875.
G. W. Brink
P. H. Buck
Probate made May 11th 1880
Will and Testament No. 6512 of Samuel Buck.
I, Samuel Buck of Le Raysville Bradford County, Pennsylvania, being desirous of settling my worldly affairs, while still in the enjoyment of mind and health, do hereby make, publish and declare my last will and testament, hereby revoking any former will or wills by me at any time heretofore made; that is to say:-
First:- I give and devise to my beloved wife, Ella Buck, during the term of her natural life, the sole and exclusive use and possession of the dwelling house which I now occupy together with the lot on which it stands, situate on the west side of Main Street in Le Raysville Borough and the barn and all other improvements thereon.
Second:- I give and bequeath to my said wife the use and possession during life of all my household goods, furniture, utensils, books, pictures, organ and safe, in my said dwelling house, and also I give and bequeath to my said wife absolutely, all my household stores and wood and coal which I have at the time of my death and my horse carriage, lumber wagon, sleigh and harnesses, and all other personal property in the barn on my said lot.
Third:- I give and bequeath to my said wife absolutely the sum of one thousand Dollars to be paid to her in cash or good securities at her option.
Fourth:- I give and bequeath to my executor hereinafter named the sum of two thousand Dollars in money and my twenty shares of stock in the First National Bank of Towanda, Pa., and my sixty shares of stock in the Citizens National Bank of Towanda, Pa., in trust nevertheless for the following use and purpose, that is to say:- to pay to my said wife the interest on said two thousand Dollars annually and to pay the dividends on said shares of stock to my said wife in the amounts and at the times as declared by the Boards of Directors and paid by said banks
.
Fifth:- I give and bequeath to the children of James Makinson, deceased, as follows:-
To Frank Makinson, the sum of six hundred dollars.
To Alice Titus the sum of four hundred dollars.
To Ella Payne the sum of four hundred dollars.
To Mahlon Makinson the sum of three hundred dollars.
Sixth:- I give and bequeath to Emma F. Makinson, daughter of John F. Makinson, the sum of three hundred dollars
.
Seventh:- I give and bequeath to the children of my brother Perley H. Buck as follows:-
To George W. Buck, the sum of five hundred dollars.
To Samuel W. Buck, the sum of five hundred dollars.
To Walter P. Buck, the sum of five hundred dollars.
To Lottie E. Prentice, the sum of two hundred fifty dollars.
To Frank B. Davies, the sum of two hundred fifty dollars.
Eighth:- I give and bequeath to the children and grand children of my brother Lyman Buck, deceased as follows:-
To S. Wilson Buck, the sum of five hundred dollars.
To Kate Buck the sum of two hundred fifty dollars.
To Mary Buck the sum of two hundred fifty dollars.
To Allen L. Buck the sum of five hundred dollars.
To Buck, the sum of two hundred fifty dollars.
Ninth:- I give and bequeath to the children and grand children of my sister Lydia Brink, deceased, as follows:-
To Adaline Stone the sum of five hundred dollars.
To Lucy Palmer the sum of two hundred fifty dollars.
To Sophronia Rose the sum of two hundred fifty dollars.
To Caroline Luslee the sum of five hundred dollars.
To Lewis Brink the sum of five hundred dollars.
Tenth:- I give, devise and bequeath to my brother Perley H. Buck, and his heirs, the wood lot which I bought of him, situate in Pike Township and the sum of four hundred dollars in money, or securities at his option.
Eleventh:-I give and bequeath to my nephews, and namesakes, viz:- Samuel Todd and Samuel Buck Cheeseman each the sum of five hundred dollars.
Twelfth:- I direct my executor and trustee hereinafter named to pay to Kate E. Kraus yearly for ten years after my death the sum of forty dollars in case she lives so long.
Thirteenth:- I give and bequeath to Frederick William Buck the son of my nephew George W. Buck the sum of two hundred fifty dollars, and to Agnes Elizabeth and Perley Henry Buck, children of my nephew, Samuel W. Buck, each the sum of two hundred fifty dollars, and to Robert P. Davies the son of my niece Frank B. Davies the sum of two hundred fifty dollars.
Fourteenth:- I give and bequeath to the trustees of the First Congregational Church of Le Raysville the sum of one thousand dollars to be paid within one year after my death, in trust nevertheless for the following use and purpose, which is to say:- to invest, receive the income therefrom and to apply the said income to the payment of the salary of the minister preaching in said church; and also upon the death of my said wife, Ella Buck, the sum of one thousand dollars in addition to be paid within one year after the death of my said wife, in trust, nevertheless for the same use and purpose of above provided for the said first bequest. It is my intention by the bequest in this item that the said trustees or said church and congregation shall not expect my said wife during her life to subscribe for said object or purpose.
Fifteenth:- I give and bequeath to my nephew, Danuel W. Buck subject to the use hereinfore given to my wife, the iron safe now in my dwelling house.
Sixteenth:- I give devise and bequeath unto my executor hereinafter named and his heirs, all the residue and remainder of my estate, real and personal, in trust nevertheless for the following uses and purpose, that is to say:- 1st upon the trust to sell and convey by good and sufficient deed in fee simple my farm of about eighty acres situate in Pike Township for such price and upon such terms for cash or on credit as he may think proper, and to invest the same as well as the principal and the interest accruing on all my personal estate, which shall not be required to be used to discharge the bequests, obligations and liabilities herein before or hereinafter given or created, in some good and safe securities (not necessarily what are termed "legal securities"). 2nd. On the further trust to pay all the taxes on the said dwelling house and lot the use of which is devised to my wife, during her life, to keep the same in repair and the buildings thereon insured and pay for the same out of my estate. 3rd. Upon the further trust upon the death of my said wife to sell and convey by good and sufficient deed in fee simple my said dwelling house and lot for such price and upon such terms as will be to the best advantage of my estate paid to convert into each on good and available securities all the remainder of my real or personal estate; and 4th upon the further trust within two or three years after the death of my said wife, as the circumstances of my estate may then make most convenient or advantageous to make distribution or division of the whole of my estate then remaining in the hands of my executor and trustee hereinafter appointed to and among my relatives and kinsmen as follows:- that is to say:- to each or any of my brothers or sisters living at the death of my said wife a one-sixth share and the balance to the children or their issue of my then deceased brothers and sisters, share and share as follows. The then living children of my said deceased brothers and sisters, share and share alike but the issue of such children of my said deceased brothers and sisters as may then be dead taking only their respective parents share: in case of all of my brothers and sisters pre deceased at the death of my said wife, then distribution shall be made as follows:- the then living children of my said brothers and sisters shall take share and share alike and the issue of such of said children as may be dead shall take only their parents share.
Seventeenth:- In case any of the legatees, devisees or beneficiaries under this my will and testament shall contest or attempt to contest its validity, then any and every bequest or devise herein given to any such shall be and become absolutely void and revert to and become a part of the residuum of my estate
Eighteenth:- I hereby make constitute and appoint my nephew Samuel W. Buck, executor and trustee of and under this my last will and testamant, and I hereby authorize and empower him to do and perform all things necessary for the full and complete execution and carrying into effect of the provision of this my said will, and I hereby authorize my said executor and trustee to retain and receive out of my estate the sum of one hundred dollars yearly for his services in the administration management and settlement of my estate.
In witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the 22nd day of July A.D. 1890.
Samuel Buck (seal)
Signed, sealed, published and declared as and for the last will and testament of the testator, Samuel Buck, in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses hereto.
John V. Keeler
Joseph E. Elliott
I Samuel Buck, the foregoing named testator do hereby make and publish this codicil to my last will and testament, bearing date the 22" day of July A.D. 1890, as follows:-
In as much as my nephew Samuel W. Buck heretofore named as Executor and Trustee died on January 26" 1892 I hereby make, constitute and appoint my nephew George W. Buck of Duluth, St Louis County, Minn, as Executor and Trustee with like powers as the said Samuel W. Buck would have had, had he lived, and in all other respects I hereby satisfy and confirm my said will.
The testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twelfth day of February A.D. 1892.
Samuel Buck (seal)
Signed, sealed, published and declared as and for a codicil to the last will and testament of the testator, Samuel Buck, in the presence of us, who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
L. M. Osborne
O. P. Smith
The will and codicil thereto, admitted to probate January 28" A.D. 1899
J. N. Califf Register
Letters testamentary on the Estate of Samuel Buck, late of the Borough of Le Raysville, deceased, were granted to George W. Buck, he having first been duly sworn. Proof of the death of Samuel Buck on the 16" day of January A.D. 1899 having been made. Bond filed in the sum of sixty thousand dollar with P. H. Buck, John Black and J. K. Newell as sureties. Given under the hand and official seal of the Register this the 30th day of January A.D. 1899.
J. M. Califf Register
Inventory filed Feb 10" 1899
Partial Account filed in no.12 Sept. Term1906.
Final Account filed in no. 16 Dec. Term 1908.
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