ORMSBY.
| 4. Joseph Blakeney Ormsby (John1), b. Pittsburgh; d. 20 December, 1803. Studied for the law. The circumstances of his death are thus related by his father: "My youngest son Joseph unfortunately went upon a trading voyage to New Orleans and from thence to Jamaica where he took in a cargo of coffee in a vessel bound for Norfolk in Virginia, and took a passage for himself in another ship bound for the same place. But to my unspeakable sorrow my dear boy was shipwrecked and drowned on that coast." His will[1] gives a touching insight into his character:
"My dear, Honor'd, much beloved Parent: Your son has left you by the mandate of him who governs all; it is perhaps for the best, I hope so & trust fully that I shall be saved; my dear Father do not lament the loss of me but let my dear Worthy excellent Sister & Brother with their sweet offspring console you. May I request that my dear Father will grant, will pay attention to the best wishes of his son in Giving John Ormsby Gregg all that Property which was destined by you for Joseph Blakeney Ormsby, viz.: the piece of land on the Monongahela & the lot in the Town of Pittsburgh & wish also all the advantage I might derive from the sales of this cargo may be extended to you my dear Father and that you may live to enjoy it. Any advantages of any kind whatever I might have derived in living that can be transferred I wish extended to my dear John Ormsby Gregg, but wish he may not dispose of the Property so |
- ↑ Will Book, vol. 1, p. 199, Register's Office of Allegheny Co., Pittsburgh, Pa.
