The Will of John Henry Mertz of Rockland Township, Berks County
In the Name of God, Amen.....I Henry Mertz, Now in Rockland Township Berks County and State of Pennsylvania Yeoman Being of an old Age and weak in Body but Thank God of a good and sound Mind, Memory and Understanding…
After paying funeral expenses, it is my will to bequeath to my oldest son Philip the just and full sum of ten pounds over and above his herein after named share.
I do give and bequeath unto my son Henry Mertz twenty shillings as his full share and portion out of my whole estate and no more.
Remainder of estate shall be equally divided to and among my children hereinafter named in equal shares to wit: Philip Mertz, William Mertz, John Jacob Mertz, Catharina Roerig Widdow, Rosina Intermarried to Jacob Seib, Eve Catharina Intermarried to Conrad Repp, J. George Mertz, George Henry Mertz, and Maria Intermarried to Peter Fink. In nine equal shares and portions share and share alike; And those of my children that have not received a like sum of me in my lifetime shall first receive out of my estate to be equal with the other (except my son Henry who shall have a sum of twenty shillings out of my whole estate and no more as aforesaid) and none of my said children hath a demand against me.
And lastly I do ordain constitute and appoint my Beloved Sons Philip Mertz and George Henry Mertz to be the Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and to see the same done and Executed according to my true Intent and Meaning.
And I do hereby Revoke and make void all former Wills & Testaments…In Witness whereof I Henry Mertz have hereunto Set my Hand and Seal the Twelvth Day of June In the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty Six.
Signed Henry (X) Mertz
X being his mark
Also signed by his Witnesses:
Heinrich Mertz
Conrad Mertz
Transcribed by Patricia Mertz from the original will in file #1226 in the office of the Register of Wills, Northampton County Courthouse, Easton, PA. The will was proved on 31 March 1788 when the witnesses testified before John Arndt, Esq., Registrar of Wills, County of Northampton. John Henry Mertz had died that year in Whitehall Township, Northampton County:
"Northampton County. On the thirty first day of March in the Year of our Lord 1788 Before me John Arndt Esq Register for the probate of Wills...for said County personally came Henry Mertz and Conrad Mertz the subscribing witnesses to the forgoing last Will and Testament of Henry Mertz deceased and on the Solemn Oath taken on the .....(unreadable)...say that they were present and witness the Testator sign seal publish pronounce and declare ...the form as...for his Last Will and Testament and that at this doing therefore the said Testator was of sound mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief and also that these deponents subscribed their names as witnesses to the same in the same and at the request of the said Testator and in the presence of each other. Witness my hand. (signed ) John Arndt Esq."
Submitted by Patty
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