Bern Twp 1774
Translated
I Baltzer Lerch living in Bern Township have this first day of January in the year of Christ seventeen hundred and seventy four considered my Mortality whilst I yet, God be praised, have my natural understanding and I dispose of my small estate in the following manner.
I will that all my just Debts be paid out of my estate and my wife shall have her Bed and the Linen Clothes per advance, and the Copper Kettle and the Pewter and an Iron Pot and the childrens Bed and her Kitchen Utensils shall be appraised by three men all which she shall have in use so long as she remains my widow and in case she marries again the such appraisement shall paid and two thirds thereof paid to my children and the residue (of my Estate) shall be sold at vendue and my wife Anna Barbara shall have the third part of the whole, and of the shares belonging to my children she shall also have the interest until they are fourteen years of age respectively and when one is fourteen years old it shall fall to such child, and of any of my three children which are alive and one not yet alive, should die before they are of age then shall the others share the part of such child share and share alike. And my wife Anna Barbara shall give my children clothing and schooling until each of them be fourteen years of age and shall receive the interest of each of them until it is fourteen years of age.
And now I appoint mu friends and acquaintance William Lerch and Johannes Staut to be the Executors of this my last Will and Testament and revoke all other Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made.
In Witness whereof I have here unto set my Hand and Seal the Day and Year above said.
Baltzer Lerch |SEAL|
Witnesses present;
Conrad Schneider
Michael Staudt
Phillip Fuchs
Further I Baltzer Lerch do declare my Last Will that William Lerch and Johannes Staut shall also be guardians of my children and shall have power in case my wife marries again and the children should be ill treated, to take away the children at their pleasure.
Baltzer Lerch |SEAL|
Conrad Schneider
John George Staudt
Submitted by Michelle.
Last Modified