In our research, we have been able to locate several wills, land deeds and obituaries that pertain to the Wescoatt family. Contained below are transcriptions.
Land Deed from David Hanes to Joseph F Wescoatt
13 Nov 1839
Record Book (Old Book) A (Van Buren Co, IA), p 536
Know all Men by these presents That I David Hanes of the county of Vermillion and State of Indiana have made constituted and appointed and by these presents do make constitute and appoint in my place and stead put and deupte Joseph F Wiscoatt of the county of Van Buren and territory of Iowa my true and lawful attorney for me and name place and stead to grant bargain and sell all those certain pieces or parcels of land situated in the county of Van Buren and territory of Iowa to-wit The ease half of North East quarter of section No (25) twenty five Township sixty nine (69) North of Range No (10) ten west also the North west fractional quarter of section No 24 twenty four township (69) sixty Nine North of Range No (10) ten west of the fifth principal meridian together with the appurtenance and all my estate right title and interest therein unto such person or persons and for such piece or pieces as he shall think proper and also for me and in my name place and stead and as my proper act and deed to sign seal deliver and acknowledge all such deed or deeds of conveyance as shall be necessary for the absolute granting and assuming of the premises unto the purchaser or purchasers in fee simple. Giving and granting unto my said attorney by these presents my full and whole power and strength and authority in an about the premises to have use and take all lawful ways and means in my name for the purposes aforesaid and upon the receipt of any debts dues or sums of money acquitances or other sufficient discharges for me and in my name to make seal and deliver. And generally all and every other act or acts thing or things device or devices in the law whatsoever needful and necessary to be done in and about the premises for me and in my name to do and execute and perform as fully largely and amply to all intents and purposes as I myself might or could do if personally present and attorneys one or more under him for the purposes aforesaid to make and constitute and agree at pleasure to revoke. Hereby retifying allowing and holding for him and effectual all and whatsoever my said attorney shall lawfully do in and about the premises by virtue hereof. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.
Land Purchase by Joseph F Wescoatt
1 Dec 1841
From Van Buren Co. Record Book 71, p 183
The United States of America to Joseph Foster Wescoatt
Filed for record the 11th day of January AD 1930 at 11:40 o'clock a.m.; Lola M. McIntosh Recorder; Recording fee $0.60
The United States of America
Certificate No. 33
To all Whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Whereas, Joseph Foster Wescoatt, of Van Buren County, Iowa Territory has deposited in the General Land office of the United States a Certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Burlington whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said Joseph Foster Wescoatt according to the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820, entitled "An Act making further provisions for the sale of the public lands," for the North East quarter of Section Thirty-five, in Township Sixty-Nine North of Range ten West, in the District of Lands subject to sale at Burlington, Iowa Territory, containing one hundred and Sixty acres according to the official Plat of the Survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor-General, which said tract has been purchased by the said Joseph Foster Wescoatt.
Now, Know Ye, that the United States of America, in consideration of the premises, and in conformity with the several Acts of Congress in such case made and provided, Have Given and Granted, and by these presents Do Give and Grant, unto the said Joseph Foster Wescoatt and to his heirs, the said tract above described. To have and to Hold the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities, and appurtenances, of whatsoever nature, thereunto belonging, unto the said Joseph Foster Wescoatt ad to his heirs and assigns forever.
In Testimony Whereof, I, John Tyler, President of the Untied States of America, have Caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed.
Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the First day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-one and of the Independence of the United States the sixty-sixth.
By the President: John Tyler. By R. Tyler, Secy. J Williamson, Recorder of the General Land Office
I hereby certify that this photograph is a true copy of the patent record which is in my custody in this office. Department of the Interior. General Land Office, Washington, D.C. Jan 8, 1930. M P Le Roy, Recorder
Land Purchase by Joseph F Wescoatt (2)
1 Dec 1841
From Van Buren Co. Record Book 71, p 188
The United States of America to Joseph Foster Wescoatt
Filed for record the 19th day of February AD 1930 at 10:20 o'clock a.m.; Lola M. McIntosh Recorder; Recording fee $0.60
The United States of America
Certificate No. 33
To all Whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Whereas, Joseph Foster Wescoatt, of Van Buren County, Iowa Territory has deposited in the General Land office of the United States a Certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Burlington whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said Joseph Foster Wescoatt according to the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820, entitled "An Act making further provisions for the sale of the public lands," for the East half of the South West Quarter, and the West half of the South West quarter of Section twenty-four, in Township sixty-nine North Range ten West, in the District of Lands subject to sale at Burlington, Iowa Territory, containing one hundred and sixty acres according to the official Plat of the Survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land Office by the Surveyor-General, which said tract has been purchased by the said Joseph Foster Wescoatt.
Now, Know Ye, that the United States of America, in consideration of the premises, and in conformity with the several Acts of Congress in such case made and provided, Have Given and Granted, and by these presents Do Give and Grant, unto the said Joseph Foster Wescoatt and to his heirs, the said tract above described. To have and to Hold the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities, and appurtenances, of whatsoever nature, thereunto belonging, unto the said Joseph Foster Wescoatt ad to his heirs and assigns forever.
In Testimony Whereof, I, John Tyler, President of the Untied States of America, have Caused these Letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed.
Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the First day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-one and of the Independence of the United States the sixty-sixth.
By the President: John Tyler. By R. Tyler, Secy. J Williamson, Recorder of the General Land Office
I hereby certify that this photograph is a true copy of the patent record which is in my custody in this office. Department of the Interior. General Land Office, Washington, D.C. Dec 13, 1929. M P Le Roy, Recorder
Estate of Joseph F Wescoatt, 28 March 1843
From Van Buren County Deed Book E, p 161
Know all men by these present that we Sarah Wescoatt widow of Joseph F Wescoatt deceased late of Van Buren County Iowa Territory, Louisa Ann Wescoatt, Nelson Wescoatt, Jonas Wescoatt, Sarah Wescoatt (as guardian for Riley Wescoatt, Lucy Wescoatt and Mary Jane Wescoatt) and George Duden as guardian for Joseph Wescoatt, heirs of the estate of the said Joseph F Wescoatt deceased all of the County of Van Buren Territory of Iowa in consideration of one hundred and fifty dollars to us paid by John Pease of the same County and Territory, the receipt wherof we as hereby acknowledge do by these presents give grant bargain sell and convey unto the said John Pease his heirs and assign a certain parcel of land situated in the County of Van Buren Iowa Territory aforesaid Bounded and described as follows: One Acre lying in the immediate South East Corner of the North East quarter of Section Thirty five Township Sixty Nine North of Range Number ten West and bounded on the West by the Main Territorial Road running from the City of Dubuque in the said Territory of Iowa to the Southern boundary of said Territory that is to say running North between said Territorial Road and the Eastern Line of said quarter section of Land above described so as to make one Acre together with all the privelege and app??tenances to the said Land in anywise appertaining ang belonging to have and to hold the above granted premisis unto the said John Pease his heirs and assigns to his and their use and behoof forever. And we the Said grantees above named for ourselves, our heirs, Executors and Administrators, as covenant with the said John Pease his heirs and assigns, that we are Lawfully ????? in fee of the afore granted premises; that they are free from all incumberance, that we have a good Right to Sell and convey the same to the said John Pease as aforesaid that we will and our heirs Executors and Administrator and each of these Shall ??? and defend the same to the said John Pease his heirs and assigns against the Lawful claims of all persons and we whose names appear hereto as guardians do covenant that we are the regular appointed guardians of Said Minors respectfully.
In Testimony wherof we the said Sarah Wescoatt Widow of the said Joseph F Wescoatt Deceased, Louisa Ann Wescoatt, Nelson Wescoatt, Jonas Wescoatt, Sarah Wescoatt as guardian for Riley Wescoatt, Lucy Jane Wescoatt and Mary Jane Wescoatt, and George Duden as guardian for Joseph Wescoatt heirs of the said Joseph F Wescoatt Deceased, have hereunto set our hands and seals this twenty eighth day of march in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and forty three,
Signed Sealed & Delivered in presence of ??
George Duden, ??? Arnold
Seals of: Sarah Wescoatt (her mark)
Louisa Ann Wescoatt
Nelson Wescoatt
Jonas Wescoatt
Sarah Wescoatt (her mark) as gruadian for Riley Wescoatt
Lucy Jane Wescoatt
Mary Jane Wescoatt
George Duden as guardian for Joseph Wescoatt