IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN:

This the twenty-sixth day of Nov. in the year of our Lord 1715, George Burson, in Gilbert's Manor in the County of Philadelphia and Province of Pennsylvania, yeoman, being very weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God. Therefore, calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die do make and ordain this, my last Will and Testament. That is to say principally and first of all I give and return my soul unto the hands of God that give it and for my body , I return it to the earth to be buried in a Christian-like and decent manner at the discretion of my Executors. Nothing doubting but at general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give, devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

IMPRIMIS, I give and bequeath to Hannah, my dearly beloved wife all the movables to be used upon the plantation as long as they keep together with all privileges within doors and without doors, as if I was there, myself, having authority over my children as long as she remains my widow. Likewise, one hundred acres of land upon the upper part of the Estate for her lifetime uncultivated land for her proper use.

ITEM 2, I bequeath for my wife the privilege of killing or selling of the movables if need requires. Provided it be for the good and proper use of the family

ITEM 3, I bequeath unto my two daughters, Ann burson and Mary Burson, twenty pounds to each of them within seven years after my decease. And case of mortality the longer liver to have forty pounds.

ITEM 4, I give and bequeath unto my sons, William Burson and George Burson, three hundred and forty acres of lands as is computed beginning at the upper line extending by Skool Hill side of the lower line to be equally divided as followeth as my two sons, James Burson and Joseph Burson, whom I have appointed my two Executors shall find fit and in case of mortality to fall to the longest liver.

ITEM 5, I give unto my well beloved son, James Burson, a tract of land, as my deed and gift doth mention, and my little chest as a legacy and, likewise my carpenter tools, I give unto my two eldest sons, James Burson and Joseph Burson, equally divided betwixt them.

ITEM 6, I give unto my son, Joseph Burson, one grant of land in Gilbert's Manor as my deed of gift doth mention bearing date with my will and likewise one shilling to fulfill the law.

ITEM 7, I constitute my best beloved sons, James Burson and Joseph Burson, and ordain them my only and sole Executors jointly and severally of this my last Will and Testament, all and singular my lands by him freely to be possessed and enjoined and I do hereby utterly disallow revoke disannul all and every other former testament and will bequeathed and testifying and confirming this and not other to be my Last Will and Testament.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day and year above written.

Signed, sealed, published and declared by said George Burson as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us subscribers viz. Joseph Richardson, Joseph Wells, Elizabeth (?).

13th day of November 1716

In 1684 George Burson (sometimes spelled Busson), the first American ancestor, came from Scarborough, England.

He first settled in Springfield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

He became a member of Abington Monthly Meeting of Friends in the neighborhood of Abington in Montgomery County. He was probably married in England; his wife, Hannah Goode, accompanying him.

He located in life on a tract of land in Gilbert's Manor a few miles from Valley Forge.

In Early Pennsylvania Land Records by Egle, vol. XIX, "George Burston (Burson) desires to purchase 2, 3, or 400 acres of land in the Proprietors Manor of Gilbert's which is granted @ 25 pounds per c. to pe paid within three months after location with the usual g't rent 1 sp c. Warrant dated 19th March and signed November 20th 1713" min BKH p. 541

Here he died in 1715. his Will, dated November 26, 1715, was probated Februrary 11, 1716. It provided for his wife, Hannah, and his six children, his land being devised to his sons, James, Joseph, William and George, who were named his executors.