Susan (McCloskey) Gough's Will
I, Susan Gough of the City of Hazleton, Co. of Luzerne, and State of 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.
And first, I desire all my just debts and funeral expenses to be fully paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.
As to such estate as it hath pleased God to intrust me with I dispose of the same as follows, viz:
First, I bequeath to my daughter Catherine, known in the Sisters of Mercy as Sister Angeline, the sum of twenty-five dollars.
Second, I bequeath to my daughter Mary and Alice, all articles of personal, domestic, or household use which at the time of my decease shall be in, about, or belonging to the house which may then be my place of residence.
Item; all the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, real, personal and mixed, whatsoever and wheresoever, when a majority of my children Peter, Mary, John, Michael and Alice or a majority of the above surviving children shall deem it best for the interest of all to convert the said remaining property into money it shall so be done and in order to carry out this decision I order, direct and authorize as soon as the same can conveniently be done (...) and when the whole of my residuary estate shall be converted into money as aforesaid, then I will and direct that the same shall be divided and disposed of as follows;
First, It is to be divided into four equal parts or shares; one full equal fourth part or share thereof I give, devise, and bequeath to my daughter Mary; one full equal fourth part or share thereof I give, devise, and bequeath to my son Michael; and one full equal fourth part or share thereof I give, devise and bequeath to my daughter Alice; and the remaining full equal fourth part or share thereof I give, devise and bequeath to my sons, Peter and John, share and share alike.
(...)
Previous to such a decision to sell, any of the above mentioned children has the privilege of demanding and receiving two thousand dollars in cash from the others, upon relinquishng his or her right, title or interest to the estate.
And lastly, I hereby constitute and appoint my son Peter J. Gough, executor of this my last will and testament, he to serve without bond.
In witness whereof, I Susan Gough, testatrix, have to this my will, set my hand and seal this 16th day of September, AD, 1911.
J.P. Costello, Catharine Saueracker, witnesses
Date of death, 31 March 1912, at 11PM