In the name of God, Amen, I Charles Schmeck of the City of Reading, State of Pennsylvania. Do make and constitute this my Last Will and Testament.
First I order and direct that my Executor shall pay all my just debts and funeral expenses as soon as can conveniently be done.
Second I give and bequeath onto my beloved wife Catherine as much of the household furniture and kitchen utensils as she desires to take which in addition to what I have provided in a declaration of trust. Executed in favor of Frederick S. Boas as trustee, is to be, in Lieu of her dower at Law.
Third I give and devise unto my son Henry B. Schmeck the three story Brick House and Lot there to appertenent No 147 on South Fourth Street in the City of Reading and adjoining the house on the corner of Chestnut and said Fourth Streets, to have and to hold to him, his heirs and assigns forever.
Fourth I give and devise unto my daughter Mary C. wife of John Ebling the Three Story Corner house, with lot thereto appertenent No 149 fronting on said Fourth in said City adjoining on the North the property heretofore devised to my son Henry B. Schmeck to have and to hold said premises for and during the term of her natural life and after her death, to her children their heirs and assigns in equal shares.
Fifth I give and devise to the five children of my deceased daughter Leanda who was married to Jackson Richards, namely, Amelia C., Mary Elizabeth, Margaret Ann, Emma Matilda, and Charles Henry Richards the two story Brick House with Lot thereto appertenent, wherein I now residing No 143 South Fourth Street in the City of Reading aforesaid. The said Amelia C. Richards to have and to hold the one fifth interest in the said premises during her natural life and after her death to her children their heirs and assigns, but if she should die without issue her share and interest on said premises is to go to her surviving brother and sisters their heirs and assigns. And the said Mary Elizabeth, Margaret Ann, Emma Matilda and Charles Henry Richards to have and to hold the four fifths of said premises in equal shares to them and their heirs and assigns forever. And I do further hereby Constitute and appoint Frederick S. Boas the Guardian of the four last mentioned children with the same power and authority as if appointed by the Orphans Court.
Sixth As to the rest and residue of my Estate not including that which was transferred to Frederick S. Boas as Trustee by virtue of the declaration of trust, above referred to. I give and devise and bequeath to same as follows one third there of to my son Henry B. Schmeck his heirs and assigns, Another Third to my daughter Mary C. Ebling she to have and enjoy the interest thereof for life, and after her death the principal be paid to her children in equal shares, and the remaining third to be paid to the children of my said deceased daughter Leanda in equal shares, except Amelia C. shall only receive the interest of her share as long as she lives and after her death to her children but if she dies without having issue the said share to go to her brother and sisters or their issue respectfully in equal shares. Provided however that the household furniture remaining after my wife has selected what she desires shall go to and be the property in equal shares. Provided however that the household furniture remaining after my wife has selected what she desires shall go to and be the property of my five grandchildren to wit the children of my daughter Leanda Richards deceased.
Lastly I hereby constitute and appoint my son Henry B. Schmeck to be the Executor of this my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereinto set my hand and Seal this twenty second day of September AD one thousand eight hundred and seventy seven AD 1877.
Charles Schmeck (seal)
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the Testator as and for his last will in our presence and the presence of each other. Witnesses present at signing
A.G. Green
Daniel Potteiger
Registers Office Berks County ss:
On the 20th day of February A.D. 1878, Before me P.Y. Eldelman, Register of Wills, did personally appear A.G. Green and Daniel Potteiger, the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing will, being duly sworn according to law did depose and say that they were present and did see and hear Charles Schmeck the testator sign, seal, publish and declare the foregoing Instrument of writing as and for his last will and testament that at the time of so doing he was of sound mind, memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge, observation and belief.
P.Y. Eldelman
Register
Contributed by: Michelle.
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