Wayne County PA Marriages

Wayne County Wills & Estate Records including petitions from Orphans Court -

Wills available at the Wayne County PA USGW Archives

Wills/Probate Records now available online at LDS FamilySearch

Name of Deceased	Description of Record	Date of Record
Ansley, Simeon	0954311 Wayne Co, PA Wills 1, 1798-1849 1:54 No. 53 Bond Robert Ansley, Danl. Kimble et als Admr. of Simeon Ansley} Know all men by these presents that we Robert Ansley, Daniel Kimble and Eliphalet Kellogg and David Wilder of the county of Wayne are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the sum of $2000 .... 6 Dec 1824 ... do make an inventory ...	06 Dec 1824
Ansley, Simeon	Esther Ansley widow of Simeon Ansley of Palmyra Twp. Lists all children. 0955011 Wayne Co, PA Orphans Court Vols. A-B 1803-1855; Book A 1803-1852 No. 54 p. 59, 69-71, 122;	16 Aug 1827
Bines, John	Will - 0954312 Wayne Co, PA Wills 3-4, 1872-1888 WB 3: 262 No. 1759 John P. Kimble Administrators Bond 4 Apr 1877 $4,000. (C.D. Kimble & D. K. Long Sureties) (for renunciation of Widow and Heirs see files) Adm. of estate of John Bines late of Twp. of Texas John P. Kimble says that John Bines late of Texas Twp died at the residence of Clarence D. Kimble 20 Mar 1877 6 am. Sworn 4 Apr 1877.
Cobb, William	Petition in Orphans Court by William Cobb's brother Asa Cobb; William died without a will.- LDS Film #0955011 - Wayne Co., PA Orphans Court Vols. A-B 1803-1855; Book A 1803-1852 No. 32	1817
Kimble, Asa	0955011 Wayne Co, PA Orphans Court Vols. A-B 1803-1855; Book A 1803-1852 No.321 p. 225; Appt of E. W. Hamlin Guardian of minor children: Honesdale, 10 Dec 1847 Petition of Abigail Kimble, relict of Asa Kimble for the appt of Ephraim W. Hamlin Guardian of William F. Kimble and Martin Kimble minor children of Asa Kimble decd. Martin under age 14, William F. above 14.	10 Dec 1847
Kimble, Asa	0955011 Wayne Co, PA Orphans Court Vols. A-B 1803-1855; Book A 1803-1852 No. 372 p. 368; a/c of Abigail Kimble admin.: Honesdale 7 May 1849 Abigail Kimble admx of Asa Kimble presented account for 7 May 1849 to 5 Sep 1849.	05 Sep 1849
Kimble, Benjamin	Will - 0954312 Wayne Co, PA Wills 3-4, 1872-1888 WB 3:1872-1880 3:180/181 No. 1652
Kimble, Benjamin	0954311 Wayne Co, PA Wills 1, 1798-1849 1:119 No. 126 The Bond of Ephraim W. Hamlin et al. Admr. of estate of Benjamin Kimble decd; Ephraim W. Hamlin, Joseph Atkinson and Simeon Kimble of Wayne Co.... 24 May 1837 ... make an inventory ... Renunciation of the right of Admin. to the estate of Benjamin Kimble decd} 25 Jul 1837 ... Elizabeth Kimble, Simeon Kimble, Joseph Atkinson, Henry Bishop. Letters of Admin. granted to Ephraim W. Hamlin 24 May 1837 .
Kimble, Benjamin	0955011 Wayne Co, PA Orphans Court Vols. A-B 1803-1855; Book A 1803-1852 No. 173 p. 157; Order for sale of Real Estate: Bethany, 17 Apr 1838 Appt of E. W. Hamlin adm of Benjamin Kimble decd, late of Dyberry, for sale of real estate. 8 Dec 1838 to sell to Wm. Holbert of Dyberry of a lot in Berlin Twp. Lot No. 74 warrantee in the name of Samuel Moore for 400 acres, sawmill privileges conveyed to Charles Kimble.	17 Apr 1838
Kimble, Benjamin	0955011 Wayne Co, PA Orphans Court Vols. A-B 1803-1855; Book A 1803-1852 No. 200 p. 175; account of Admr.: At an Orphans Court held at Bethany in and for the County of Wayne on the 9th day of Sept. A. 1839 ... The account of Ephraim W. Hamlin Administrator of Benjamin Kimble late of Dyberry Township Wayne County deceased was presented to the Court ...Confirmed nisi Sept 9, 1839 ö Nov 20, 1839 referred to John S. Allin as Auditor .	09 Sept 1839
Kimble, Benjamin F.	Will - 0954312 Wayne Co, PA Wills 3-4, 1872-1888 WB 4:1881-1888 4:172 No. 2235 Benjamin F. Kimble to Commonwealth of Penn. Administrators bond dated 31 Oct 1883 in the sum of one thousand dollars with D. D. Kimble and R. E. Bayley as sureties conditioned for the faithful performance of all and singular the duties of administration of the personal estate of Benjamin Kimble late of Texas Twp. Wayne Co. decd. by Benjamin F. Kimble Jr. to whom Letters of Administration ... have this day been granted he having first complied with the terms of the law in such case provided. R. M. Stocker Register. You C. D. Kimble do swear that Prudence Kimble died on or about the 26 day of Sept. AD 1883. C. D. Kimble. Sworn and subscribed before me this 31 day of October AD 1883. R. M. Stocker Register.	31 Oct 1883
Kimble, Daniel	Will -0954311 Wayne Co, PA Wills 2 1846-1872
Kimble, Daniel	0955011 Wayne Co, PA Orphans Court Vols. A-B 1803-1855; Book B 1851-1855 No. 107 p. 143; Account of Admr. Rendered Honesdale 3 May 1853 Acct of Amory Prescott admr of Daniel Kimble decd.	03 May 1853
Kimble, Daniel	0955011 Wayne Co, PA Orphans Court Vols. A-B 1803-1855; Book B 1851-1855 No. 132 p. 174; Petition Citation to widow to accept or refuse bequest &c. Honesdale 8 Sep 1853 Petition for citation to Jane Kimble. Perry Kimble of Texas Twp legatee under will of Daniel Kimble, Jane Kimble widow. Decedent dead longer than 12 mos so she must appear by 5 Dec and make her election to accept bequest in lieu of dower or not. Sworn by Perry Kimble 31 Aug 1853. She refused to accept.	31 Aug 1853
Kimble, Daniel	Will - 0954312 Wayne Co, PA Wills 3-4, 1872-1888 WB 4:488 No. 2593 Last Will and Testament of Daniel Kimble ... of Berlin Twp ... unto my sister Amelia Kimble all of my Personal Property and real estate situated in the Township of Berlin ... also the undivided one half part of certain wild lands situated in the Township of Lakawaxen, Pike Co., PA and containing about 900 acres ... Amelia Kimble Executrix ... 9^th day of February 1884. Signed: Daniel X Kimble. Wit: John D. Dils, Chas. R. Jay, Wm. T. Perry. Amelia Kimble do swear that Daniel Kimble died on the 1 Jun 1885 at one AM sworn before me 17 Aug 1887. W. A. Gaylord Deputy Register	17 Aug 1887
Kimble, Ephraim	Will - 0954312 Wayne Co, PA Wills 3-4, 1872-1888 WB 3:479 No. 2009
Kimble, Jane	Wills -0954311 Wayne Co, PA Wills 2 1846-1872 No. 708 p. 97
Kimble, John	0955011 Wayne Co, PA Orphans Court Vols. A-B 1803-1855; Book A 1803-1852 No. 241 p. 194; petition for Guardian app.: Petition of George S. Kimble for the appointment of a Guardian. At an Orphans Court held at Honesdale 3 Feb 1844. The petition of George S. Kimble son of John Kimble setting forth that your petitioner is a minor in the fourteenth year of his age and hath no guardian in the said County to take charge of his person and Estate, Whereupon the Court upon due consideration appoint William L. Gainford Guardian of said minor & order that Bond be given in the sum of $300. Dec 5/44 Bond filed & approved.	03 Feb 1844
Kimble, John	0955011 Wayne Co, PA Orphans Court Vols. A-B 1803-1855; Book B 1851-1855 No. 18 p. 30; Kimble, George S. Account of William L. Gainford Guardian of Account of William L. Gainford Guardian of George S. Kimble. Honesdale 3 May 1852 Moneys received from the estate of Ephraim Kimble.	03 May 1852
Kimble, John P.	Will - 0954312 Wayne Co, PA Wills 3-4, 1872-1888 WB 4:436 No. 2534 Last will and Testament of John P. Kimble. of the township of Texas County of Wayne ... Miller ... wife Joanna ... all my real estate with the income thereof ... after the death of my wife... divided into four equal parts ... unto my daughter Carrie wife of Dr. J. A. Ray ... daughter Hattie E. Kimble ... remaining two parts to my son J. Warren Kimble ... wife Joanna and son J. Warren Kimble Executrix and Executor ... 29 Dec 1886 Signed: J. P. Kimble Wit: Thomas S. Burton, Wm. J. Tracy. John P. Kimble died 31 Dec 1886 at about 12:30 PM Signed J. Warren Kimble. 3 Jan 1887. Letters of Administration granted	29 Dec 1886
Kimble, Scott	0954311 Wayne Co, PA Wills 2 1846-1872 No. 1273 p. 355; George H. Rowland Et al to Commonwealth. Admin. Bond dated the 23 Apr 1870 in the sum of $100 for the faithful performance of all the duties of Administrator of the Estate of Scott Kimble deceased late of Palmyra township Wayne Co .... George H. Rowland to whom Letters of Administration were granted ... for remuneration of widow see Files
Kimble, Stephen	Will - 0954311 Wayne Co, PA Wills 2 1846-1872
Pellet, Richard	0954311 Wayne Co, PA Wills 1, 1798-1849 1:72 Bond Calvin Pellet et al Admr. of Richd Pellet decd.
Pellet, Richard	0955011 Wayne Co, PA Orphans Court Vols. A-B 1803-1855; Book A 1803-1852 No. 99 p. 111, 141, 142; Appointment of Wm. and Calvin Pellet, Guardian of minor children: Bethany, 25 Jan 1831Richard Pellet decd appt of William and Calvin Pellet guardian of minor children. Petition of Fanny Pellet widow and relict of Richard Pellet late of Dyberry Twp decd. three children: Lucinda, Adelbert and Richard under age 14.	25 Jan 1831
Smith, William	0954311 Wayne Co, PA Wills 1, 1798-1849 1:61 Bond Sarah Smith et all to Commonwealth. Sarah Smith & Daniel Kimble, Thomas Spangenberg and W? Schoonover of the County of Wayne ... 14 Sep 1826 ... Admr. of William Smith decd. ...	14 Sept 1826
Swingle, Jacob	Deed - Jacob Swingle Exrs to John Bates	11 Mar 1886

Orphans Court - A laymen's definition -

Orphan's Court was a kind of catchall court/hearing/petition process, primarily dealing with estates of people who died intestate (without a will).. In particular, it appointed guardians for minor children (even if the mother was still alive, for much of the 19th century a male guardian was appointed to watch over the financial interests of a child). It's a great source, because it often gives names and ages of children which don't appear anywhere else.

1803-1869 are available on microfilm both at the Wayne County Historical Society and from LDS. The reel contains files referring back to the time that Wayne was part of Northampton County (before 1798) and refers to people and areas in what later (1814) became part of Pike County.

The Orphans Court, dealt with two specific situations:

1. If a person died leaving minor children, a guardian or guardians had to be appointed to look out for their affairs. This, I found to my surprise, was sometimes the mother, although more often a male guardian was appointed. If the child was over 14, he or she was asked to choose a guardian - sometimes the same one appointed for the younger children and sometimes someone different. This gives a good idea of the child's approximate age if it wasn't known before. For example, yesterday I looked at a file dated May 1805 which referred to five children under seven. From this I deduced that all the children were born after May 1798 and that the father died before May 1805. If the guardian at any time during the child's minority needed to sell real estate (or other property) to raise cash for the child's support, he had to go back to court to get permission and the entire transaction is described, including a description of the property (including names of neighbors) as it appeared in the deed and the name of the purchaser if the sale was approved. Once a case was assigned a number, each time the participants came back to court the same number was used, so just because there is a reference to Case #10 in 1805 doesn't mean that it isn't referred to again in 1807 or 1815, etc. I learned that my ggggrandmother was hauled into court by the children of her first marriage because she took too long to settle their father's estate. By the time it was finally settled, she had remarried and started a new family.

2. If a person died intestate, an administrator(s) had to be appointed by the court to manage the decedent's affairs for the benefit of his heirs. This gets really interesting, because they almost always named all the heirs - including married daughters with the names of their husbands - whether they were minors or not. Just as in the case of a guardianship, the court had to approve any sales of assets, and in the case of real estate sometimes appointed a committee to determine its value before they were allowed to put it on the market. As above, the details of the transactions had to be reported back to the court.

I believe that this was often a legal fiction, as in two cases I looked at, property was sold to a son or son-in-law with the court's approval. Other times, it was sold at auction, and I suspect that the fortunes of some of those who were on the "assessment" committees were based on advance knowledge of the sales. That's just an opinion, however. Anyway...this is a great source. The drawback is that the "indexes" only refer to the name of the principal involved in the case. None of the others mentioned are indexed, so it really requires some time and effort to scan through the appropriate time period. But the results can really be worth it.

SOURCE: Taken from emails of Ann O'Hara, July 2003

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Compilation Copyright Linda Blum-Barton

This site was last updated on -01/11/2021