Last Will and Testament of Charles P. Haven, dated 23 January 1902
I, Charles P. Haven, of Spring Brook Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, being of sound, disposing mind, and memory, considering the uncertainty of life, and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs while I have strength and capacity, do make this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me heretofore made.
And as to my worldly estate, and all the property, real, personal, or mixed, of which I shall die seized and possessed, or to which I shall be entitled at the time of my decease, I devise, bequeath, and dispose thereof in the manner following, to wit:
First. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Sophia Haven, the sum of two hundred dollars in money. I also give to her my pension certificate at my decease.
Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Ada Matthews, the sum of two hundred dollars in money.
I give and bequeath to my daughter, Bertha Kennedy, the sum of two hundred dollars in money.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Florence Rendle (Randall), the sum of two hundred dollars in money.
I direct that the sum of two hundred dollars be used to erect a monument for me and my family at my burying plot at Spring Brook Cemetery.
I direct that my farm or tract of land on which I reside situate in the township of Spring Brook in the county and state aforesaid, and containing about ninety acres of land shall be divided by a straight division line to be run north and south at such a distance from the western and eastern boundary lines of said tract of land so that the said division line to be run shall divide the said tract of land into two equal portions.
I give, devise, and bequeath to my son Harry, his heirs, and assigns forever the portion of land with the buildings and the appurtenances thereunto belonging which will lie on the west side of the said division line to be run.
I give, devise, and bequeath to my son Lewis, his heirs, and assigns, forever the portion of land which will lie on the east side of said division line to be run as aforesaid.
I also give and bequeath to my son Harry my team of horses, heavy wagon, pair of heavy bobsleds, and all the farming utensils and machinery belonging to my estate.
I also give and bequeath to my son Lewis my driving horse, buggy and cutter.
I give and bequeath to my son, Charles Haven, the sum of one dollar.
I direct and my will is that my son, Harry Haven, shall see that his step-mother, Sophia Haven, who is my beloved wife, shall be comfortably cared and provided for while she lives, and that she shall have a home with him during her natural life.
I expressly desire that the provisions of this my will shall be carried into effect, and that the legacies mentioned herein be paid to the legatees entitled to receive them by my executor herein after named as soon as conveniently may be done after my decease.
And lastly I do nominate and appoint my son Harry Haven to be sole executor of this my last will and testament without giving bonds.
In witness whereof, I Charles P. Haven, the testator, have to this, my will, written on one sheet of paper, set by my hand and seal, this twenty-third day of January A.D. one thousand nine hundred and two.
(signed) Charles P. Havens Seal
Signed, sealed, published, and declared by the above-named Charles P. Haven as and for his last will and testament, in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names at his request witnesses thereto, in the presence of the said testator, and of each other.
The words "divide", "line", and "item" were interlined above before this will was signed by the Testator.
(witness signatures) David P. Scull
John R. Summers
Griffith Lougher
Cindy Ross reported that he "was born Charles P Havens. He and his children later dropped the "s" and he became Charles P Haven. His descendants all go by "Haven"."
