Dated: 26 December 1821
Proved: 6 December 1828
I Abraham Brower of the township of Union in the County of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, a innkeeper, being sick and week in body but of sound mind and memory and understanding for which I am thankful to God; But considering the uncertainty of this life do make and publish this to be my last will and Testament in manner and form following, Viz
Principally and first of all I commend my immortal soul into the arms of the God who gave it and my body to the earth to buried in a Christian like manner at the discretion of my executors herein after named: And as to such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and dispose of in the following manner To wit –
Secondly I order that all my just debts and funeral expenses be first paid by my executors.
Then I give and devise to my beloved wife Mary Brower two Beds six chairs one Chest of drawers --*two tables and as much kitchen furniture as shall proper to take -- and sixty pounds a year and every year during her life, and one cow And also the house and lot where Michael Kagerize now lives during her widowhood she is to find her own firewood – which shall be in lieu of Dower.
And whereas I have given to my children as follows Viz
To my son John Brower the sum of four hundred pounds
To my son Abraham Brower four hundred pounds
To my son Nicholas Brower four hundred pounds
To my daughter Anna wife of David Royer one hundred and fifteen pounds
To my daughter Hannah wife of John Bunn one hundred pounds
To my daughter Mary deceased wife of David Jones I give one hundred and six pounds
To my daughter Sarah wife of John Kerlin one hundred and six pounds
Now my will is that each of my sons namely John Abraham and Nicholas have three hundred pounds more than my daughters above named who are to receive and be accountable as follows that is to say Anna has received nine pounds more than equal division and Hannah six pounds less than Mary and Sarah and my will is that they shall all be equal
I further give and devise to my daughter Catharine for her services in order to make her equal with my other daughters one hundred and forty pounds together with one bed besides the one she now has: the one hundred and forty pounds to be paid to her as soon as possible after my decease
My will further is and I direct that the Residue and Remainder of my estate shall be equally divided among my children above named who are now living and that my Grandchildren the children of my Daughter Mary deceased namely Frances and Abraham Jones shall receive their mother's share, unless they should die in their minority and have no lawful issue. In that case it shall be equally divided among my other children as above directed.
And further my will and order is that if any children above named cannot agree upon a division and Valuation of my Real estate it shall be sold at public auction and the proceeds divided as above directions
And Lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my sons John Abraham and Nicholas Brower to be the executors of this my last will and testament hereby Revoking all other wills legacies and bequests by me heretofore made, and declaring this to be my last will and testament In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this twenty sixth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one.
Abraham Brower [Seal]
Signed sealed published pronounced and declared by the testator, as his last will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request have here subscribed as witness – The words ..two tables and as much kitchen furniture as shall think proper to take, were inserted before signing.
Henry Koons
Mic Kagerrize
Jno Meredith
Registers office Reading Berks County Decm. 5th 1828 Then appeared Henry Koons and Michael Kagerrize Two of the Subscribing witnesses to the above written will who were duly qualified according to Law did declare and say that they were present and did see and hear Abraham Brower the Testator sign Publish pronounce and declare the foregoing writing as and for his last will and Testament and that at the time of the doing thereof he the said Testator was of sound mind memory and understanding to the Best of their knowledge and as they verily Believe and further that the names Henry Koons Michael Kegerize are of the deponents own hand writing as witnesses thereto Subscribed in the presence of each other & in the presence and at the Signing of the Testator.
Danl. Rhoads, Reg
A true and perfect Inventory and just appraisal of all and singular the goods and chattels, rights and audits which were of Abraham Brower Sr. late of the township of Union, County of Berks and State of Pennsylvania Yeoman, deceased, at the time of his death, to wit –
| Cash | $13.80 |
| Apparel et cetera | 12.50 |
| Book accounts | 552.44 |
| Feather Beds, Bedding and Bedstead | 26.00 |
| Bedspreads, Sheets and Table linnen | 19.00 |
| Cloth, Curtains and Flaxen linen | 6.50 |
| Maps, Pictures and Umbrellas | 1.50 |
| Carpet, Curtains and Comfortable | 1.50 |
| Clock, Desk, Chest and Chairs | 14.50 |
| Watch, Spectacles, Razors and Hone | 7.00 |
| Wagon | 10.00 |
| Dearborn do and Harness | 20.00 |
| Windmill | 10.00 |
| Slay Box and Handsaw | 1.00 |
| Stove Coal Stove and Wood do | 7.50 |
| Tables and Sofa | 6.00 |
| Gun accoutrements Dog irons and Whip | 6.00 |
| Side Saddle and Box | 1.00 |
| Corner Cupboard | 5.00 |
| Lot of Books | 1.00 |
| Notes of Hand, Turnpike and Bridge Stock | 470.00 |
| $1193.21 |
Taken and appraised by the subscribers
December the 6th A.D. 1828
David Yocum
John Neiman
Sworn and subscribed
Danl. Rhoads, Reg
Submitted by Jane.
Last Modified