Jonathan McArtor (OTW)
The oldest McArtor we can trace back so far is one Jonathan McArtor (Although work is being done in Scotland as we speak, Thanks to Robert C. (Dink) McArtor) who settled in Loudoun County, Virginia, in the late 1700's. Though we are not sure of Jonathan's exact birth date, he was probably born about 1755. We do Know for a fact that he died on February 22, 1835, Loudoun County because his will was probated. This will lists his wife, Mary, and their children: Elizabeth, Moses Taylor, James, Rebecca, Jonathan (II), Mahlon, and William Ellery.
The eldest son, Moses Taylor McArtor, is our direct ancestor. He was born February 14, 1780 in Pennsylvania. (This was before his parents, Jonathan and Mary moved to Loudoun County, Virginia.)
The Will:
In the name of God, Amen: I, Jonathan McArtor of the County of Loudoun and the State of Virginia being weak in body but of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say.
First and principally I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God and my body to the Earth to be decently Buried at the discretion of my executor herein named and all my just debts and funeral expenses are paid. I devise and bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth Reiley the house they now live in with four acres of land ajoining thereto during their natural lives and afterwards to be equally divided between her Children[.] - - I give and bequeath to my son William McArtor the balance of the lot I purchased of Lambert Myers containing six acres more or less to him and his heirs forever, reserving twelve feet wide between James White, Sarah Nixon and said Lot for road. I give and bequeath to my son Mahlon McArtor the farm I now live on for and during his natural life and his wife if she should survive him during her life: after their death my will is that my grand Son Thomas McArtor, son of Mahlon shall have it by paying his Three Sisters Mary, Rachel and Rebecca one hundred Dollars each. If he shall die before his father and mother, I give the farm to his three sisters named above in equal shares. I give to my Daughter Elizabeth Reiley one feather bed, bedstead and bedding. I also give her three cords of wood every year off my home farm after the wood is gone off their lot, which is dead wood or such as will not make rails. I give to my son William one Feather bed, Bedstead and Bedding. I give to Elizabeth Saxton one feather bed, bedstead and bedding with liberty to take all her property which may be in my house at the time of my decease, with reasonable time given to her to find another home. The balance of my personal property of every description I give to my son Mahlon. It is to be understood that I give the Lot I bought of Jeremiah T. Miller to my son Mahlon by his paying the following legacies and bequests - - I give and bequeath to my son Moses. Twelve dollars each year during his natural life[.] - - I give to my son . . . James one Dollar[.] - - I give to my Daughter Rebecca one hundred and fifty Dollars. I give to my son Jonathan one hundred Dollars. I give to Elizabeth Saxton for services rendered me, one hundred Dollars. I give to my son William Two hundred and fifty Dollars Provided he will [withdraw a suit which he has brought against me for the sum of Fifteen hundred Dollars. If he fails to do it, I give him but one Dollar. All the above mentioned Legacies and bequests are to be paid by my son Mahlon as soon after my decease as possible, to them that stand in need first, but no interest to be charged him for seven years after my death - and lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my Son Mahlon McArtor and Thomas White sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament revoking and annulling all former Wills by me heretofore made ratifying and confirming this and none other to be my last will and Testament.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 12th. day of September one Thousand Eight hundred and thirty four 1834.
Jonathan McCarter (Seal)