Our SNODGRASS Family
Personal Information Page for

William Snodgrass of Canton Twp.
February 12, 1768 - January 14, 1838 
h/o
Margaret

The following information has been found and documented with respect to this individual. A great deal of my Personal Information can be credited to the hard work of Charlou Dolan and her Snodgrass Source Books. Thank you also to Suzie, Patty, and Mac. You have been fantastic!

On this page you will find

Last Will & Testament of William Snodgrass of Canton Twp.
Obituary of William Snodgrass of Canton Twp., Wash. Co., Pa.
Burials in Old Hoge Cemetery, Washington, Wash. Co., Pa.
Reward offer for stolen horse
Reward for stolen mare
Sheriff's Sale
Indenture for land sale between William Snodgrass and Moses Braddock, 1833
Census returns, Canton Twp., Washington Co., Pennsylvania
Various land transactions in Washington Co., Pennsylvania
Snodgrass Family Bible

Last Will and Testament of William Snodgrass

Washington County, Pa., Will Book #5: Snodgrass, William, Canton Twp., P.386
Dated: 6 Jan. 1838
Probated: 19 Jan. 1838
Exec: Samuel Snodgrass
Wit: John Jolly, Richard Jolly, Alex. W. Acheson
Beneficiaries: Sons William (rec'd farm purchased from Moses Braddock); Samuel: Robert C; James:
Dau's: Sarah Leuallein: Eliza Vankirk: Jane: Margaret: Kisert:
Note: Burial in Washington by side of his wife.

January 6,1838

In the name of God Amen, I William Snodgrass, of Canton Township, Washington County, and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, being sick and weak in body but of sound mind, memory and understanding (praised be God for it), and considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof, and to the end that I may be better prepared to leave this world whenever it shall please God to call me hence, do therefore make and declare this my last will and testament in manner following (that is to say)

First and principally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my creator, hoping for free pardon and remission of all my sins and to enjoy everlasting happiness in the heavenly Kingdom through Jesus Christ my saviour. My body I commit to the earth to be interred by the side of my wife in the burying ground at Washington, and as to such worldly goods it has pleased God to entrust me I dispose of the same as follows-

It is my desire that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my decease as conveniently may be and I give and devise unto my son William Snodgrass the farm I purchased from Moses Braddock containing 94 acres and 75 perches unto him and his heirs forever; charged and chargeable nevertheless with the sum of $900.00 payable to my daughter herein mentioned in the following manner- viz $400.00 of the said sum to be paid on the first day of April A.D. 1838, and the remaining $500.00 in yearly payments of $100.00, the whole to be without interest.

I give and devise unto my son Samuel Snodgrass the equal third part of the farm upon which I now reside containing 180 acres unto him and his heirs forever.

I give and devise unto my son Robert C. Snodgrass one equal third part of the farm unto him and his heirs forever.

I give and devise unto my son James Snodgrass the remaining third part of the said farm unto him and his heirs forever but as it is my desire that my said sons James, Robert and Samuel should occupy and enjoy the farm so devised unto them together, and the same should not be parted or divided, or a part thereof be sold out of the family, it is my wish therefore that my son James shall not sell or convey away his share of the said farm unless he first obtain the consent and approbation of his brothers Samuel and Robert, and if my son James shall sell or convey away his share of the said farm without first obtaining the consent and approbation of my said sons Samuel and Robert then and in that event it is my will that the devise to James shall be shall be in no effect. And I do hereby give and devise the one third part of the said farm, before devised unto my said son James, unto my said sons Samuel and Robert unto them and their heirs forever.

I give and bequeath unto my daughters Sarah Leuellan and Eliza Vankirk the sum of one hundred dollars each to be paid them by my three sons Samuel, Robert and James one year after my decease.

I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jane Snodgrass a horse, saddle and bridle, to be furnished by my three sons last mentioned.

I give and bequeath unto my daughter Margaret Snodgrass a horse, saddle and bridle to be furnished her by my three sons, last mentioned.

I give and bequeath unto Kisert Snodgrass my daughter a horse, saddle and bridle to be furnished her by my said three sons.

I give and bequeath unto my said daughters Jane, Margaret and Kisser the sum of three hundred dollars each to be paid them by my son William Snodgrass at the times and in the manner before mentioned. I give and bequeath unto my said daughters Jane, Margaret and Kiser all my household and kitchen furniture.

I give and bequeath unto my three sons James, Samuel and Robert all my said farming utensils and all my stock cattle and horses and I do nominate and appoint Samuel Snodgrass my son Executor of this my Last Will and Testament.

In witness thereof I William Snodgrass the Testator have to this my will written on one sheet of paper set by my hand in the seal this sixth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and thirty-eight.

William Snodgrass (his mark)

Signed, sealed published and declared by the above named William Snodgrass as and for his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses thereunto. John Jolly, Richard Jolly, Alex W. Acheson Washington County. Be it remembered that on the 19th.day of January A.D. 1838, before me Saml. Cunningham, Register for the Probate of Wills and granting letters of Administration in and for said County came John Jolly, Richard Jolly and Alex W. Acheson Esq. the subscribing witnesses to the above part, Will & Testament of William Snodgrass decd. who being duly sworn according to law to depose and say they were personally present and did see the Testator therein named execute this will that they heard him publish...and declare the same as and for his Last Will and Testament. That at the time of so doing he was of sound mind and disposing mind and memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge observation and belief. John Jolly, Richard Jolly, Alex W. Acheson And sworn to and subscribed before me Saml. Cunningham,

Register. January 19th., 1838.

Letters Testamentary with copy of the will and probated amended issued to Samuel Snodgrass within named on the same day as duly sworn. Saml. Cunningham, Regr.

____(word not all there) to Court Samuel Snodgrass Executor of William Snodgrass deceased presented his account by which it appears there is a balance in ___ Executor's hand of 110-04 for distribution. Appeased. (there are no dollar or pound signs although I assume the currency was in pounds).

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Obituary of William Snodgrass

Died on Saturday morning last William Snodgrass of Canton Twp. aged upwards of 70 years. The article was dated 1838, and was possibly taken from the Closser, of Amwell Twp. Unfortunately the person who sent the article didn't include this information.

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Burials in Old Hoge Cemetery, Washington, Wash. Co., Pa.

Jane Snodgrass, daughter of Wm. & Margaret Snodgrass died Dec. 18, 1845, aged 45 years:
William Snodgrass, died Jany 14, 1838, aged 70 years:
Margaret Snodgrass, wife of William Snodgrass, died Aug. 24, 1837, aged 58 yr. (the 5 could also be a 6):

The following newspaper article was written in 1847 with respect to the Old Hoge Cemetery -a proposed road through the Hoge Cemetery caused quite a controversy in January 1847, which affected the resting places of more than 100 bodies: A following article (both appeared in a Washington newspaper, the second date is unknown), stated -Old Washington Cemetery is non-existent. The stones were decayed and gone. The land was purchased by the Immaculate Conception School. The names of those buried, the remains found, were put into a memorial built on these grounds. The John F. Kennedy School stands there now. Years before, a church was built on part of this cemetery; the remains found at that time are in vaults in the basement of the Lutheran Church, on Franklin Street, Washington.

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Reward offer for stolen horse

Thirty dollars reward. Stolen out of the stable of the subscriber, on the night of the 2d instant, in Canton township, four miles from the borough of Washington, a bright bay mare. Whoever can apprehend and secure the thief, so that he may be prosecuted to conviction, and returns the mare to the owner, shall have thirty dollars reward, or twelve dollars for the mare. with reasonable charges. /s/ Wm. Snodgrass. Jan. 11, 1811 (name of book of newspaper articles not recorded, found in the Washington Citizens' Library, Washington County, Pennsylvania).

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Reward for stolen mare

Sixty Dollars Reward. Was stolen from the pasture of the subscriber 4 miles from Washington, Canton township, on the night of 6th inst. A BAY MARE, 6 years old; fifteen and a half hands high; and well proportioned; a natural trotter; shod before, has no white about her or scar of any kind. Her tail is rather light --- and her mane is rubbed off from her wither half way up until it is tolerable short; she has a small foretop; her mane and tail black. The above reward will be paid for the mare and the thief secured or thirty dollars for the mare alone, with all resaonable expenses. Wm. Snodgrass September 9th 1816

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Sheriff's Sale

Sheriff’s sales. By virtue of sundry writs of venditioni exponas, to me directed, there will be exposed to public sale, at the court house in the town of Washington, on Monday the 22d inst. the following described parcels of property, viz:— A tract of land in Strabane township, adjoining lands of William Quaill, Thomas Marshall and the heirs of William Rankin, containing 270 acres. taken in execution as the property of George Hamilton, at the suit of N. B. Boiluae, secretary of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Also, a tract of land in Fallowfield township, near the mouth of Pigeon creek, containing fourteen acres. Taken in execution as the property of Nicholas Depue and Joseph Depue, at the suit of Daniel Swichart. Also, a tract of land in Canton township, adjoining lands of Elisha Jolly, J. Brownlee, John Brownlee, Thomas Hallams and Wm. Snodgrass, containing 150 acres. Taken in execution as the property of Joseph Irons, esq. at the suit of William Clemons and Jacob Wolf, administrators of Jacob Beekley, deceased. Also, a certain lot of ground in the town of Williamsport, on the west side of Washington street, adjoining on the north Thos. Duncan’s lot, and on the south Cherry alley. Taken in execution as the property of Simon Hailman, at the suit of James Mitchell and Adam Hailman. All to be sold by /s/ George Baird, Sh’ff. March 3, 1813 (name of book of newspaper articles not recorded, found in the Washington Citizens' Library, Washington County, Pennsylvania).

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Indenture:
Moses Braddock and wife to William Snodgrass, 1833
DBV-2Q-247

This Indenture made the twenty ninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three between Moses Braddock and Nancy his wife of the County of Washington and State of Pennsylvania of the one part, and William Snodgrass of the County & State aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth the the (looks like sd) Moses Braddock and Nancy his wife, for in consideration of the sum of one thousand four hundred and thirty three dollars and thirty eight cents, lawful money of the United States, to them in hand paid by the said William Snodgrass at or before the ensealing and delivery hereof the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted, bargained, sold, ______ and confirmed and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell ______ and confirm unto the said William Snodgrass, his heirs and assigns forever all that certain __ussage and tract of land _____ situate lying and being in Canton Township in the County aforesaid and bounded as follows, viz Beginning at a post thence by lands of John Braddock South thirty seven degrees east twenty and five tenths perches to a post, thence south seventy four degrees east fifteen and six tenths perches to a post, thence south thirty and one half degrees east sixty two perches to a (looks like Locust), thence north fifty four and one fourth degrees east twenty eight and four tenths perches to a post thence south fifty six degrees east thirty nine perches to a Beech stump thence south eight degrees west four perches to a post, thence by lands of Francis Braddock south seventy four degrees east thirty two and five tenths perches to a Beech, thence north sixty eight degrees east sixty three and two tenths perches to a post, thence south fifty six degrees east seventy five and one tenth perches to a post thence by lands of Wilson Braddock north twenty two degrees east sixteen perches to a black Wal- (should this be Walnut?) thence by lands of Wilson Braddock, John Scott and John McClellan north fifty five and one fourth degrees west one hundred and ninety seven perches to a white oak thence south sixty eight degrees west twenty two perches to a fallen black oak thence by lands of Robert Wilson south sixty four degrees west seventy eight perches to the place of beginning containing ninety four acres and seventy five perches strict measure (it is a part of a tract of land Patented in the name of James Wilson and it embraces two pieces of land viz one piece conveyed by John Braddock to Moses Braddock by deed dated April 26th A.D. 1817 containing 85 acres & 4 perches and one piece conveyed by Francis Braddock to said Moses Braddock by deed dated March 26th A.D. 1833 containing 7 acres and 39 perches all of which being on record in the office for recording of Deeds in and for the County aforesaid, may more fully appear) Together with all and singular the buildings, improvements, woods, ways, waters, water sources, rights, liberties, privileges, hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining and also all the estate, right title interest, property claim and demand whatsoever of them the said Moses Braddock and Nancy his wife, in law or equity or otherwise howsoever, of in and to the same (excepting and reserving so much of the grave yard as is now occupied by graves, so that the graves therein may not be disturbed to have and to hold the said described messuage and tract of land with the hereditaments and premises hereby granted or mentioned or intended so to be with the appurtenances, unto the said William Snodgrass his heirs and assigns to and for the only proper use, benefit and behalf of him the said William Snodgrass his heirs and assigns forever). And the said Moses Braddock and Nancy his wife doth hereby covenant and agree to and with the said William Snodgrass his heirs and assigns by these presents that they the said Moses Braddock and Nancy his wife and their heirs the described messuage tract of land hath granted with the appurtenances unto the said William Snodgrass his heirs and assigns, against them the said Moses Braddock and Nancy his wife, and their heirs and against all and every other person or persons whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same shall and will Warrant and forever defend by these presents. In Testimony where the said Moses Braddock and Nancy his wife have hereunto set their hand and seal this day and year first above written.

Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Nimrod Longdon Jonas Condit
Moses Braddock (seal)
Nancy Braddock (seal)
Received on the day of the date the above Indenture of and from the above named William Snodgrass the year one thousand four hundred and thirty three dollars and thirty eight cents lawful money of the United States being the consideration money above mentioned in full.

Test Samuel Snodgrass Margaret Snodgrass Moses Braddock
Washington County Ss Before me Jonas Condit one of the Justices of the Peace in the fore said County personally came to the within mentioned Moses Braddock and Nancy his wife and severally acknowledged the within deed or instrument of writing to be free voluntary act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned and _______ same as such might be recorded and the said Nancy Braddock being by me examined separate and apart from her said husband and the full contents of the within deed being by me made known to her aid declare that she executed the same of her own free will and accord without any _______ from her said husband or any other person or persons whatsoever. Given under my hand and seal this 29th day of April 1833.
Recorded and confirmed with Original May 7th A.D. 1833
Jonas Condit (L.S.)
W. Hoge Recr

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Census returns, Canton Twp., Washington Co., Pennsylvania

1800 Census Washington Co., PA., Canton Twp., 1m 26-45 (b.1755-1774), 1f 0-10 (b.1790-1800), 1f 10-16 (b.1784-1790), 1f 26-45 (b.1755-1774)
1810 Census Washington Co., PA., Canton Twp., 2m 0-10 (b.1800-1810), 1m 26-45 (b.1765-1784), 1f 0-10 (b.1800-1810), 1f 10-16 (b.1794-1800), 1f 26-45 (b.1765-1784)
1830 Census Washington Co., PA., Canton Twp., 1m 5-10 (b.1820-1825), 1m10-15 (b.1815-1820), 2m. 20-30 (b.1800-1810), 1m 50-60 (b.1770-1780), 1f 5-10 (b.1820- 1825), 2f 15-20 (b.1810-1815), 1f 20-30 (b.1800-1810), 1f 40-50 (b.1780 -1790)

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Various land transactions in Washington Co., Pennsylvania

Sept.14, 1811, Deed Book 2-R, pg.11, William & Margrate to Elizabeth Guy, all of Washington Co., Pa --- $63.00 --- part of a certain tract of land in Donegal Twp., the same being part of a tract of land called Fox Chase granted by this Commonwealth unto Isaac Morris by patent bearing date 26 Feb 1788 and conveyed by the said Morris to Richard Atherton --- by the said Richard Atherton unto Barnett Johnson --- by the said Barnett Johnson unto William Snodgrass by conveyance dated 18 Mar 1804 ---
Witness Robert Mitchell
Recorded 22 Feb 1834:
March 4, 1836, Deed Book 2-T, pg.26, William Snodgrass and Margaret his wife of Canton Twp., Washington Co., Pa., to William Newburn of Morris Twp., Washington Co., Pa. --- 82 acres and 62 perches --- Witness John Wilson
Recorded 20 Apr 1836

I do not have copies of the actual transactions, these extracts were provided by Charlou Dolan in the August 1988 issue of The Mace, vol. x no. 3:

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Snodgrass Family Bible
Remnants of a family bible were turned over to the South Western Genealogy Society in Washington Co., Pa. Information appears updated in records -Samuel Snodgrass Family Records

Samuel Snodgrass Family Records

Xeroxed pages written on ruled tablet paper were sent to us with no owner’s name or contributor’s identification. An envelope postmarked 9 Nov 1899 and addressed to Mr. Samuel Snodqrass, Taylorstown, Washington County, Pa. is the only identification of area where these people may have lived. The Snodgrass farm is near the North Buffalo United Presbyterian Church in Buffalo Township and in 1986 is owned by Kenneth and Elizabeth Carlisle who told us the couple that lived there had only one daughter and that they were each the last and only children in their respective families.

Robbert Cambel was boarn Oct the 6th 1823
William Snodgrass was boarn Febuary the 12th 1768
Margaret Snodgrass was boarn Aprile the 15th 1780
William and Margaret wase married December the 27th 1798

Births of the Snodgrass Family

Jean was boarn Aprile the 19th 1800
Sally bel was boarn June 27th 1802
James Patterson (Snodgrass) was boarn Sept 21 1804
William was boarn Dec the 19 1807
Mary was boarn April 7th 1809
Eliza was boarn October the 11th 1810
Margaret was boarn January the 9 1813
Samuel was boarn March the 4th 1815
John was boarn April 4th 1817
Kezia Brotherton was boarn April 26th 1819
Mary Hannh was boarn May the 31st 1821

Here the record becomes pages and parts of pages torn from a Bible with Births and Deaths in side by side columns.

Births

Mary (torn)benlserson(?) Snodgrass was born December the 3.A.D. 1837
Samuel McCullough Snodgrass was born July the 9th AD 1839
John Chambers Snodgrass was born March 6th AD 1841
Elisabeth Snodgrass was born August 2th Anno Domini 1843
David Snodgrass was born January 11th Anno Domini 1845
James Francis Snodgrass was born Nov 17th Anno Domini 1847
Margaret E. Snodgrass was born May the 14th A.D. 1850
Clurrindia J. Snodgrass was born July the 22 A.D. 1851
(page torn off) wife of?? William Snodgrass was born August the 19th A.D. 1832
Sarah Jane Snodgrass was born Aprile the 19 A.D. 1834
William Camel Snodgrass was born on October the 25th A.D. 1835

Deaths

William Camel Snodgrass died February 17 A.D. 1882 Aged 75 years.
John C. Snodgrass died the 27 of March 1910 in Los Angeles, Cal.
David Snodgrass shot by burgler April 21 A.D. 1882
Thomas Snodgrass died February 10th A.D. 1901 Aged 68 years 4 months and 11 days
Ellen Snodgrass wife of Thomas died January 22 A.D. 1887
James F. Snodqrass died on the 23 of Feb 1912 Aged 64 yrs 3 mon 6 days
(page torn off) son of Wm. Snodgrass departed this life May the 2 Anno Domini 1852 Aged 17 years 5 months & 1 day.

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