William Peirce's Administration

Administration
This administration was signed November 28, 1838. The following is an exact transcription of the document. When I first received this from Media courthouse I glanced over all the legal language to look for names of relatives, etc. Typing it out gave me an appreciation for the language of the time. Yes, the legal script has a way of repeating the same verbiage; I suppose it's a way to tie up any possible loopholes. What I never noticed until I typed it all out was a signature at the lower left. John D. Pierce! Another clue! In all the time I have looked this over I never noticed that name. John has to be a relative - maybe the father. I will scan a copy of the admin. and post it later. There is also an inventory of all the goods William owned - from a chamber pot to his fishing boots.
Also, I spelled Pierce as it's written here - Peirce. I have seen both spellings in census, newspapers, etc.


Know all men by these presents, that we, John Larkin Jr., James Huston and John Taylor all of Delaware County and held and firmly bound to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the sum of two hundred dollars, to be paid to the said commonwealth. To the which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, jointly and severally, Sealed with our Seals, dated the twenty eighth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.

The condition of this obligation is such, that if the above bounden John Larkin Jr., an Administrator of all and singular, the goods, chattels and credits of William Peirce late of the township of Lower Chichester deceased, to make or cause to be made, a true and perfect inventory, of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased, which have, or come to the hands possession or knowledge of him, said John Larkin Jr.

Administrator, or foresaid, or into the hands and possession of any other person or persons, for him and the same so made, do exhibit, or cause, to be exhibited, into the Registrar's Office, in the county of Delaware, within thirty days from the date hereof, and the same goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased, at the time of his death, which at any time after shall come to the hands or possesion of said John Larkin Jr.

Administrator, or foresaid, or into the hands and possession of any other person or persons, for him to well and truly administer the law: And further, do make, or cause to be made, a true, and just account of his said administration, within one year of the date hereof, or when thereunto legally required; and all the rest and residue of said goods, chattels and credits which shall be found remaining upon the said administration account, (the same being first examined and allowed by the Orphans' Court of the county having jurisdiction) shall deliver and pay unto such person or persons respectively, as the said Orphans' Court, by their decree or sentence, pursuant to law, shall limit and appoint, and shall well and truly comply with the laws of this Commonwealth, relating to collateral inheritances. And if it shall hereafter appear that any last Will and Testament was made by the said deceased, and the same shall be proved according to law, if the said John Larkin Jr., Administrator or foresaid, being thereunto required, do surrender the said Letters of Administration into the Registrar's Office aforesaid, then this obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force.

Signed and Delivered in the Presence of:John D. Peirce
The second signature is hard to decipher. Looks like first name is John and middle initial is a K. Last name looks like _eilen.

Also signed, with seals, by:
John Larkin Jr.
James Huston
John Taylor