In the name of God, Amen. I the undersigned Jonathan Bickel, of North Heidelberg township, Berks county, in the state of Pennsylvania, although I am yet in good health, but consider that it is appropriate for every man to die, and that it is uncertain when the voice of our God calls us from this world, and declare herewith this present, while I am yet of good health, am of sound mind and memory, judgment for which I thank God heartily to my last will and testament.
First, I commit my immortal soul in the hand of our God to his everlasting mercy, and my body to the earth, which my here after named executor shall bury in a Christian like manor and way. And as concerning my wordily property consisting in a farm lying partly in the North, and partly in Lower Heidelberg townships, Berks county, which my executor shall sell after my death as soon as convient, and twelve hundred Dollars shall remain standing theron which my beloved wife Magdalena shall yearly draw the interest there as long as she lives, and the remainder my executor shall divide among my 6 children in equal shares. My wife Magdalena can keep as much of the house and kitchen utensils as she needs for her use, and the rest my executor shall sell to pay the costs therewith and my executor must give my wife as much money as she needs till she can draw interest.
My farm and land I have I have rented to my son Franklin, for half of the winter grain, and of the summer grain he shall have two bushels of all that he cultivates and plants after my death.
April 1, 1848 I have given to my daughter Magdalena married to John Faust, portion one cow, two pigs, two beds and house furniture to the value of 100 dollars.
April 1, 1852 I have given to my son Daniel, one mare and cow, bed and chest to the value of 115 dollars.
April 1, 1853 my son Isaac has received one bed and cow to the value of 40 dollars, at the same time I valued my farm stock to my son Isaac at 300 dollars and he paid it.
April 1, 1864 my son Franklin has received one bed one chest and one cow to the value of 45 dollars.
April 1, 1870 my son James has received one bed with woolen coverlet and one chest to the value of 36 dollars.
My executor shall erect me a suitable tombstone , and so my wife also after her death, my executor can sell all my property without appraising, because they are all of age and thereto I elect both my sons Daniel and Franklin as my executors to my last Will and Testament written the 3rd day of March 1873 and undersigned in the presence of these witness. My son Franklin shall pay half the taxes, in the presence of these witnesses under the 27th day of March 1873.
Emanuel W. Ernst
John Alfred Lawson
Signed; Jonathan Bickel
Daniel and Franklin Bickel the executors of Jonathan Bickel late of North Heidelberg township, Berks county died being duly sworn according to law, did depose and say that the said Jonathan Bickel died in North Heidelberg, Berks county, state of Pennsylvania on the 21st day of July at 7 1/2 o'clock A.M. (signed Daniel Bickel and Franklin Bickel)
Sworn and subscribed before me this 15th day of August A.D. 1874. (signed Isaac Laucks Dep. Register)
Notice this will says 6 children and only names 5. I have proof that this Jonathan had a son Jonathan who moved to Iowa and was the son not named.
Submitted by Terri.
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