"Robert Armstrong and Isabella Johnston (his wife) came to America about the year 1812 from County Antrim, Ireland. George Armstrong, John Armstrong, William Armstrong and James Armstrong their sons were boys upon their arrival. Their were daughters Eliza, & Ann & Isabella. At the date, 1882, all are supposed to be dead, except William, George, the writers father died in May 1864 at Fairbury Ill. James died at Batavia, O. near Cincinnati in 1874. Dates and places of others unknown." [Col. James B. Armstrong Bible record]
1820 PROBATE (Stark County, Ohio): "Armstrong, Robert - dated 10-30-1820. Wife, Ezabella. Sons:- Robert, William, John, George and James. Daughters:- Elisabeth Shepherd, Mary Adaway, Ann Henderson and Ezabella. Executor:- Joseph Shepherd. Signed:- Robert Armstrong, Witnesses:- Charles Patch, George Armstrong and Harvy Shoemaker. (38)" [Ruth Bowers & Anita Short, "Gateway to the WEST," vol. 2 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1978), 557.]
Robert Armstrong will, 30 October 1820, Stark County, Ohio, Probate Court Estate Record #100 O.S. (Genealogy Division, Stark County District Library, 715 Market Avenue, North; Canton, Ohio 44702-1080).
In the name of God Amen I Robert Armstrong of
the County of Stark in the State of Ohio being very
sick and weak in Boddy but of perfect mind and
memory, and as touching? my worldly estate when
with it has pleased God to bless me with in this
life I give and dispose of the same in the follow-
ing manner and form first I give and bequeath
to Ezebella my dearly beloved wife and Robert
and William two of my well beloved sons Eighty
six acres of the track of Land on which I now
live Best of which the house now stands
to be made over to her or theirs when the Land
is paid for Also I give to my well beloved
Daughter Ezebella forty Dollars to be paid
unto her when the Land is paid for I also will
and bequeath unto John Armstrong and George
Armstrong two of my well beloved sons Sixty
acres a piece of the same said track of Land
I also will and bequeath unto Elizabeth
Shepherd my well beloved Daughter five
Dollars and also to my well beloved Daughter
Mary Adaway and Ann Henderson and James
Armstrong my son five Dollars a piece to be
paid at the discretion of Ezebella my wife
And I do hereby utterly disallow revocate?
Disannull all and every other former will or
testament legacies bequests and executor by me
or any other wise before named willed and
bequeathed ratifing and confirming this and
no other to be my Last will and testament
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and Seal this thirtieth day of October in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and twenty I also appoint for
executor Joseph Shepherd
Signed Sealed bublished Robert Armstrong (seal)
(next page)
pronounced and delcared by
the said Robert Armstrong as his
last will and testament in the
presence of us who in his presence
and in the presence of each other
have hereunto subscribed our
names
Charles Patch
George Armstrong
Henry Shoemaker
Note: Charles Patch was listed just below Isabella Armstrong in Jackson Township in 1820 census.
George Armstrong issued letters of administration 4 December 1820.
George Armstrong, Charles Patch, and Henry Shoemaker are bonded ($600) to carry out administration of Robert Armstrong will on 18 December 1820.
Estate papers show sale of items ranging in date from 8 June 1820 to 14 November 1820 and include such things as powder, lead, wheat, rye, corn, sugar, crocks, jug, whisky, tobacco, specs, coffee, bacon, cambrick, all sold to William Henry. Inventory, date 13 February 1821, includes cows, calves, tools, saddles, household furniture, carpenter tools, and the like. Appraisers: John Moorhead, George Miller, Richard Hardgrove.
8 January 1821, George, as administrator pays county levy and land taxes for 1820, $9.08, on section 25 Town 1 Range 10.
29 November 1821, George pays 43 3/4 cents "being his county levy of 1821 and two dollars and thirty three cents one mill on tax on [illegible] 25-1-10.
23 December 1822, George Armstrong, administrator of Robert Armstrong, decd, $3.09 in full taxes for present year on section 25 T1 R10; also 87 cents George & Jno Armstrong's county tax.
