A Will of record in Franklin County Courthouse in Pennsylvania dated 2 May 1785 (probated 13 June 1785) was left by Joseph Golladay [aka Gallidee] in which he named his wife Elizabeth and their children as heirs. While Joseph's lifespan was approximately 40 years, this author theorizes he may have been born up to 10 years earlier. In his estate was a 117 acre "Plantation". Along with the Will is filed the deed for the "Plantation" dated 17 February 1765, which states that it had been bought from Abraham Gable by Joseph Golladay. Elizabeth passed away in the early 1800's after living a lifespan of approximately 65 years.
In the Revolutionary War, Joseph Golliday fought as a private for Captain William Berryhill's 3rd Company, 1st Battalion.
The Will of 2 May 1785 named Joseph's old son Jacob as Administrator for the Estate. There were eleven children named, but it noted that some were minor in age. Jacob was to have full control of the estate as long as the children were minor, but then to be disposed of, and the proceeds to be evenly divided. The mother was to have a portion. In order to carry out the full intent of the Will, Jacob had property releases to be signed by the mother, and by the minor children when they reached majority. Joseph is possibly buried near his father on their family farm.
These releases are on file in the courthouse. The one of the mother Elizabeth is of special interest. Here is stated that Elizabeth's deceased husband Joseph was not the original purchaser of the "Plantation", but that he came into ownership as heir of Joseph Golladay, his Father, who died intestate. Joseph the son was the only heir.
A tradition of the area has it that the Joseph Golladay who left the Will above had been chased by Indians, and had escaped by hiding in tall corn, though he was among those reported killed by the Indians (11). In view of the findings of the author, he believes that this is the child of Joseph's reported to be carried off by the Indians in the Pennsylvania Gazette, and that father Joseph had bought the "Plantation" in Antrim Township, but was killed by the Indians before the deed was drawn up, and naturally before he could write a Will. The lateness in the deed date could be attributed to the civil disorders brought on by the French and Indian War.
Joseph and Elizabeth Golladay Sr were the parents of 11 children. Children not listed below include:
Jacob [1754-unknown], Susannah (Golladay) Unger [1760-unknown], Elizabeth [1762-unknown], John [unknown-bfr 1810], Martha [unknown-unknown], Kathaline (Golladay) Miller [1777-unknown], Rebeckah [1778-unknown], Anne Ester (Golladay) Hopkins [1779-unknown], and Mary Golladay [1781-unknown].