William Eachus

Notes:

Birth year from Tax records Pa 1734 Goshen
Goshen Minutes: 17.2.1749 William Eacher and Sarah Pierce marriage intentions.
20.8.1753 Certif requested for William Eachus and wife and her son Gainor
(Pierce) to Chester. 9.12.1768 William Eachus lost money by being security for
his nephew Phineas Eachus. William was a land owner in Goshen 1774.

Pennsyvania Gazette 24th March 1784. Page 1 Col 1

TO ALL whom it may concern,
As there was a quantity of GOODS taken in Chester county, on or about the 30th of July last, at William Eaches, where there has been a banitti of robbers harboured, These goods have been legally advertised once, this is for the second and last time.
Any persons proving thier property, (before the first of June next) and paying charges, shall have their own again, by applying to the subscribers, other wise they shall be sold.
Signed:- Sanuel Wigton, Alexandrer Moor, Josias Ferguson, Joseph Greer Snr, Thomas Stewart.

William made his will on 20 May 1790, proved 22 June 1790, which he signed with the shakiest of hands, indicating that he was in a
"low state of health" but of "Sound disposing mind and memory"
In his will he left all his household & Kitchen Furniture to his Housekeeper Mary Buller.
Her stated that his Plantation was to be sold, and then William Eachus grandson of my brother John Eachus ?20 to be paid to him when he is 21 years of age. To George Pierce of the Township of Goshen ?20, payable one year after my death.
I also give to the Aforsaid Mary Buller the remainder of my estate.
Executors: George Pierce & John Buller.
The will was contested by Benjamine Eachus, saying it was not the genuine will.

Papers relative to William Eachus Estate 1790;
John Gregory being duly swarn did declare&say that when he agreed with William Eachus for his plantation he was to have had it for 3 years, that writings were drawn in thay manner. When they were brought to William Mary Buller said one year was long
enough, to which William replied he believed it was, they also made a verbal agreement Eachus was to help the deponant about his hay & corn and in return the deponant was to draw his firewood, then in the fall when they were getting fodder William
assisted in getting two rows & said he had h____? ____? pointed him but now he would stick by him untill the fodder was all got_ that when Eachus went home from the cornfield Mary Buller told him he should not help about the corn next day but should
stay and pair apples, for she could not attend to it. That next day William stuck close to the apples. The deponant also had agreed with William for a part of the Garden, but Mary would not suffer him to have it__ That he heard Mary say that Rettew had
been at a good deal of pains to clear the water Course, but he should not have the use of it__That when things went wrong she would tell this deponant she would take care he should not stay there another year.
Ezekiel Griffiths being duly affirmed did declair & say that about 11 years ago he met with William Eachus & agreed to rent his place at ?20 per annum & William to allow the Affirmed ?12 for his board & keeping a creature, that when Mary Buller
understood they had agreed, she declared if he did rent it she would leave him & have nothing to say to him, William held down his head & made no reply to her & the bargain broke off.
Ben Ogden being duly affirmed did declair & say that about 4 or 5 years ago William Eachus had advertised his place to be sold at public vendor this affirned went to the sale the old man appeared cool to him. the affirmed interrogated him respecting
it. Willia, said, "what has Mary Buller done to thee that thee & thy boys should abuse her, this was denied by the affirmed. William said Mary had so informed him he enquired of William what he would have for the place, that upon this Mary interferred
& said he could not sell it without recieving ?300, that William afterwards insisted upon that sum. The bargain dropped.
Thomas Cheyney Esq, one of the Judges in this court did also declair and say, that some time ago when Mary Buller was brought before him on suspicion of being concerned in the robbery of William Rettew, William Eachus also appeared at same time, that
this examinant took an oppertunity with William to discourse with him respecting his suffering a woman of such bad character & who had brought him unto such difficulties, to be about his house, William in reply disclosed it was not in his power to get
her away, though he was sensible she had ruined him. He was advised by this Examinant to get out of his place & take board with one of his honest neighbors, Eachus appeared much pleased with the proposal & said he would put it in execution & gave his
word she should not live two weeks longer with him. And at different times afterwards expressrd a very great desire to be relieved from her, that he was under some obligation of dept to her and in other respects under such control that this examiner
had the perception to apprehend he had not resolution to rid himself of her and so much under her influence that it appeared he had not any will of his own.
And the court having heard the parties by their respective attorneys & considering the evidence were of opinion & did decree that the paper writing as aboveset forth, ought not to be deemed & taken as the genuine last Will & Testament of the said
William Eachus deceased. Whereupon George Pierce one of the Legtees and nominated an Executor on the said paper writing has appealed from the decree of the said court being disatisfied therewith and has entired into bond with two sureties in the form
of five hundred pounds upon condition that he the said appellant shall prosecute his appeal with effect in the high court of Error and Appeals, or otherwise if he shall fail to prosecute his just Will, then he shall abide the decree of the High Court.
He the said George Peirce duly affirmed that the propety in dispute and now in controversy exceeds the value of four hundred bushels of wheat.
Affidavids respecting the validity of William Eachus Will. and the proceedings of a Register Court. June 22nd 1790.
Benjamin Eachus lost his challenge to the will on appeal.

William married Sarah Walter on 25 Mar 1749 in Goshen, Chester County. Sarah (daughter of Godwin Walter and Elizabeth Sanghurst) was born on 25 Jan 1700 in Concord, Delaware, Co Pa; was christened in GOSHEN; died on 25 Mar 1753. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]