In 1696, William and Richard Buzby purchased large adjoining tracts of land, soon after increased to over 600 acres, located in Oxford township, Philadelphia, and now between Frankford and Olney. The greater part of this fine estate, constantly increasing in value, remained in the possession of the family for nearly two hundred years, being handed down to different direct heirs by eight wills and a number of deeds. In 1742, Richard Buzby conveyed to his son Thomas, in consideration of eighty pounds – a nominal sum, as the real value even then was much greater- ” and natural love and affection,” his homestead and 157 acres of land. His wife, Hannah, joined in this affectionate transaction, being dutifully cared for when she became a widow, five years later, and still further provided for through the will of her son Thomas, whom she survived, made in 1757, a few months before his death. The will of Richard Buzby, as will be observed, was confined to the distribution of personal property to his children, he having disposed of practically all his real estate. Some sixty-five years after his death part of the family estate was devoted to notable uses. (Genealogy of Haddonfield Meeting)
Page 144 – Will of Richard Buzby, 1743
I, Richard Buzby of Oxford Township In the COunty of Philadelphia & Province of Pensilvania Yeoman Being Sickly & weak of Body but of Sound Memory & Judgment Thanks be unto God, Calling to mind the Uncertainty of the Time of my Continuance in this Life have thought fitt & do hereby make this my Last will & Testament in manner & Form F Suttoollowing, That is to say First I Recommend my Soul & Spirit to the Merciful Protection of God that Gave it & my Body to the Earth to be Decently Inter’d by my Son Thomas Buzbey, when it Shall pleas the Lord so to DIspose of it, & as Touching my outward Estate I will that the Same be Disposed of as herein after Declared, Imprimis I will that ll my Just Debts & Funeral Charges be paid as Soon as Possible by my Son Thomas Buzbey, ITem I Give Devise & Bequeath unto my Son Thomas Busbey (after mine & my wife’s Decease) A Long Black Wallnut Table, & a Little Desk or Cabinet with Draws & all my weavours Loomes & Tackling Belonging to them, ITem I Give to my Two Daughters, Jane Fincher & Rebecca Roberts & to their Children for Ever (after mine & my wifes Decease) all my Household Goods & Moveables wheresoever Lying or being (Except as before mentioned GIven to my Son Thomas Buzby) & I allso Give unto my Said Two Daughters all my Cows Chattels or Living Creatures, to them & their Children for Ever (after mine & my wife’s Decease) all which as before mentioned I Give Devise & Bequeath to my aforesaid Two Daughters & their Children for Ever (after mine & my wife’s Decease as aforesaid) And Lastly I hereby Constitute & nominate & appoint my Son In Law Daniel Roberts Executor of this my last will & Testament, Hereby Revokeing all Former & other wills heretofore by me made & Declaring this & no other to be my Last will & Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal This First day of the SIxth month August. In the Sixteenth year of the Reign of King George the Second of Great Brittain &c anno que Dins one Thousand Seven Hundred Forty & Three
Signed Sealed Published & Declared by the Said Richard Buzbey to be his Last will & Testament In the Presence of us
William Sutton
Mary Sutton
Joseph Jones
