Last Will and Testament of Gideon Keller

1877 Ruscombmanor Twp

In the name of God Amen, I Gideon Keller of Ruscombmanor Township, Berks County in the State of Pennsylvania, farmer, being of sound mind, memory, and understanding, but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, make and publish this last will and testament in manner and form following to wit:

First. It is my will and I do so order that all my just debts and funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be after my decease.

Second. I give and bequeath unto my dear wife the use and occupation of that certain house and lot of ground situate in said township bounded by the lands of John S. Keller, Daniel Miller and others, - containing four acres, more or less, for and during her natural life which shall be in lieu of her dower if she should so elect.

Third. I give and devise to my daughter Elizabeth the wife of David Noll the farm on which I now reside situate in the township aforesaid including the three acre lot bounded by lands of George D Stitzel, John S Keller and others, - also the pasture land bounded by lands of Henry Noll, Amos Mertz and others, - containing eleven acres, more or less, and to her heirs and assigns forever she and they paying thereof the sum of five thousand five hundred dollars .

Fourth. I give and bequeath unto my grandson George A Stout the sum of eight hundred dollars and in case he should die before he arrives at the age of twenty one years I give and bequeath the same unto my granddaughter Elizabeth Clauser, her heirs and assigns forever.

And as to touching all the rest, residue and remainder of my estate real and personal I order and direct to be sold at public sale for the best price that can be gotten for the same and for that purpose I do hereby authorize and empower my hereinafter named executors or the survivor of them to sign, seal, execute and acknowledge all such deed or deeds of conveyances as may be requisite and necessary for the granting and assuring the same to the purchaser or purchasers thereof in fee simple and the money arising from such sale or sales and the sum of five thousand five hundred dollars to be paid out by my daughter Elizabeth together with all bonds and notes, not otherwise herein disposed of shall constitute one fund, and I give and devise as follows:

fifth part thereof I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth the wife of David Noll, and to her heirs and assigns forever.

fifth part thereof I give and bequeath to my daughter Loucy Ann the wife of John B Shildt, and to her heirs and assigns forever.

fifth part thereof I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah the wife of William Reinheimer, and to her heirs and assigns forever.

fifth part thereof I give and bequeath to my daughter Caroline the wife of Joseph Weiler, and to her heirs and assigns forever.

fifth part thereof I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary the wife of Aaron Keller, and to her heirs and assigns forever.

Both of the last bequests to my daughters Caroline and Mary shall remain in the hands of my hereinafter named executors in Trust for the benefit of my said daughters which may be used for the purchase of real estate or put to interest on real estate security as my said daughters may direct during their natural lives and after their death I give and bequeath the same to their children, share and share alike.

Fifth. I do hereby constitute and appoint my son-in-law David Noll to be guardian of the person of my grandson George A Stout for and during his minority.

And lastly I nominate, constitute and appoint my said two sons-in-law David Noll and John B. Shildt, to be the executors of this my last will hereby revoking other wills, legacies and bequests by me heretofore made and declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of January one thousand eight hundred and seventy seven.

Gideon Keller |SEAL|

Signed, sealed and declared by the said testator as his last will and testament in the presence of us:

James Van Buskirk
Daniel Buskirk

Registers Office Berks County SS; on the sixth day of September AD 1877 before me P. Y. Edelman Register of Wills did personally appeared James Van Buskirk and Daniel Buskirk the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing will being duly sworn according to Law did dispose and say that they were present and did see Gideon Keller the Testator sign seal publish and declare that the foregoing instrument of writing as and for his last will and testament and at the time of so doing he was of sound mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge observation and belief.

IN THE ORPHANS’ COURT OF BERKS COUNTY

Estate of Gideon Keller, late of the Township of Ruscombmanor, Deceased.

The final account of John B Shildt, surviving executor, after due publication in accordance with law and the Rules of Court, was called for audit June 6, 1910, and the audit closed.

Appearances:
Messrs. Dumn and Schaeffer, for the Accountant

The decedent died, testate, on the 28th day of August 1877, having, by his last will and testament, disposed of that part of his estate embraced in this account as follows: After directing a conversion of the residue of his estate, he gave one-fifth part thereof to his daughter, Elizabeth Noll, her heirs and assigns; one-fifth part thereof to his daughter, Loney Ann Shildt, her heirs and assigns; one-fifth part thereof to his daughter, Sarah Reinheimer, her heirs and assigns; one-fifth part thereof to his daughters, Caroline Weiler and Mary Keller, for life, with remainder to their respective children.

The accountant asks for, and is allowed, an additional credit of $1.30, paid for road taxes.

Following is a list of the distributees entitled to take under the will, together with their relationship, and proportion of interest in the fund:

Submitted by Michelle.