Windsor Township, Berks County
Written: 1798, Recorded 1799
Heirs: Devolt
Others: Unger, Smyth, Becker, Engle, Mull, Snyder, Grate, Schmitt, Lightfoot
I, Michael Devolt of Windsor Township in Berks County Pennsylvania, Taylor, being weak in bodily health but of Sound and Disposing Mind Memory and Understanding, do make an publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following: viz.
First, My Will is that all my just Debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my estate by my executors hereinafter named.
Second, I give and bequeath to my Dear Wife Barbara Devolt all the rents, issues and profits of my plantation whereon I now live, adjoining lands of Herman Unger, Caspar Smyth, John Becker, Jacob Engle, Henry Mull, and John Snyder, supposed to contain eighty acres, be the same more or less, to be by her possessed and enjoyed during her natural life. And my executors shall be aiding and assisting to her in renting the same if she thinks best to rent it. And my will is that my said plantation shall be kept in good and husbandlike order and repair and that there shall be care taken not to use or destroy any timber or trees more than what is necessary for fuel and to keep the buildings and fences in good order and repair. I also further give and bequeath to my said Wife all my Household and Kitchen furniture, my stock of creatures, and implements of Husbandry of what kind or nature so ever to be by her possessed and enjoyed during her natural life as aforesaid giving her full liberty to sell such parts thereof as may not be useful to her. And that the monies arising there from shall also be by her possessed and enjoyed by her as aforesaid, except such part thereof as may be needful to the discharge of just debts and funeral expenses aforesaid.
Thirdly. I do will and order that my executors hereinafter named or the survivor of them shall immediately after the decease of my said wife, sell in the best manner they can, all that my plantation and tract of land aforesaid and for the best price they can get. And also all such parts of my personal estate as my said wife leave, and that the monies arising there from as well as any debts that may due me on my decease, shall be equally divided among and (as early as they can be collected) paid to my sons John, George, Henry, and Jacob, and the children of my daughter Katherine, and my daughters Eve, Barbara, Elizabeth, Susanna, and Maria. That is to say the children of my said daughter Catherine as much as to any of my children afore named.
Fourthly. I hereby give my full power and authority to my executors, or the survivors of them, to execute a deed or deeds to the purchaser or purchasers of the lands to be sold to them, their heirs and assigns forever.
And lastly I hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint my son John Devolt and my son-in-law Nicholas Grate whole and sole executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and making void all other and former wills by me made. Ratifying and confirming this my last will and testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of the twelfth month one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight 1798.
Signed, sealed, published and declared by
Michael Devolt (his mark)
the said testator as his last will and testament in the presence of us, who at his request and in his presence, have subscribed the same as witnesses.
Caspar Schmitt
Caspar Schmitt
Thomas Lightfoot
Submitted by: Mary Alice.
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