At certain times in the life of a person or a business, it is necessary to post a public notice to let others know of a change in the status of that person or business. The death of an individual requires settlement of the estate. A business that closes or moves may require the settlement with outstanding accounts. Someone closely associated with or a relative is often identified as the Administrator or Executor. This person (or persons) have the legal authority to collect or pay debts owed to or by the estate and to dispose of the individual's property. A public notice was often required by law. These notices were (and still are) posted in local newspapers. For historians and geneaologists, they provide another "data point" for the people involved. It puts them at a specific place and time period doing a set of specific tasks.
These notices were posted for Benezette Township. The are listed in alphabetical order by surname. NOTE: this list is not exhaustive - these were found during newspaper searches.
JOHNSON
- Notice is hereby given that letters of administration on the estate of Jesse Johnson, late of Benezette township, deceased, have been granted to the undersigned. All persons indebted to said estate are requested to make immediate payment, and those having claims against the same will present them duly authenticated for settlement. Ralph Johnson, Jr., Administrator. (Elk County Advocate, September 1867)
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Notice is hereby given that letters testamentary on the estate of Ralph Johnson, late of Benezette township, deceased, have been granted to the undersigned. All persons indebted to said estate, are requested to make immediate payment, and those having claims against the same will present them duly authenticated for settlement. Ralph Johnson, Jr. and John Chapman, Executors. Oct. 10th ’67. (Elk County Advocate, September 1867)
MOORE
- This is to give notice that on the 31st day of October A. D. 1867 a Warrant of Bankruptcy was issued against the estate of Chauncy I. Moore of Benezette township in the county of Elk and state of Pennsylvania who has been adjudged a bankrupt on his own petition; that the payment of any debts and delivery of any property belonging to such Bankrupt, to him, or for his use, and the transfer of any property by him are forbidden by law; that a meeting of creditors of the said Bankrupt, to prove their debts, and to choose one or more assignees of his estate, will be held at a Court of Bankruptcy, to be holden at Ridgway . . . at the courthouse, before T. E. Woodruff, Register, on the 7th day of January A. D. 1868 at 1 o’clock p. m. Thomas J. Rowley, U. S. Marshal. (Elk County Advocate, 5 December 1867)
OVERTURF
- Letters of administration have been granted in due form of law to the subscriber upon the estate of Thomas Overturf, late of Benezette Township. All persons having any claim against said estate are requested to present them duly authenticated for settlement. Any person owing the estate are requested to make payment forthwith. Ann Overturf, Administratix of the Estate of Thomas Overturf, deceased. (Elk County Advocate, 7 May 1864)
- Register’s Notice. Notice is hereby given that the following accounts has been examined and passed by me, and remains filed on record in this office for inspection of heirs legates creditors and all others in any way interested and will be presented to the next Orphans’ Court of Elk county to be held at the Court House in the town of Ridgway commencing on the first Monday of January 1865: The account of Ann Overturf, Administratrix of all and singular the goods and chatels, rights and credits which were of Thomas Overturf late of Benezette township, deceased. . . . Geo. Ed. Weis, Register. Ridgway, Nov. 18th 1864. (Elk County Advocate, 18 November 1864)