1806 Heidelberg Twp
Berks County, SS. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the Sheriff of Berks County, Greeting:
Whereas Daniel Lerch son of Joseph Lerch late of the township of Heidelberg in the said county, innkeeper, deceased, preferred a petition to the Judges of the Orphans Court of the said county, setting forth that his father died about 8 years since leaving a widow named Rosanna and issue of eight children to wit; Catharine wife of Frederick Fisher, Molly wife of Isaac Addams, Elizabeth wife of John Bohn, Susan, the petitioner, Mary, Eleanor and Margareth, the three last named are still in their minority.
That the said Intestate at the time of his decease was seized in his demise as of fee of and in a messuage and tract of land situate in said Heidelberg Township, bounded by lands of Michael Shaeffer, Peter Gehret, Christian Knorr and others containing about one hundred and ninety six acres also one other tract of land situate in said Heidelberg Township, bounded by Peter Hahn, John Hahn and others containing about forty acres with the appurtenances. And therefore praying the court to award an inquest to view the same and make partition &c. which was accordingly awarded by the court. Therefore we command you that forthwith summon an inquest of twelve good and lawful men of your bailiwick and go to the said premises and then and there by their oaths and solemn affirmation make partition thereof with the appurtenances to and among the widow and all the children of the said deceased, if the same can be done without prejudice to and spoiling of the whole. But if the same cannot be parted and divided without prejudice to and spoiling of the whole that the said inquest do view and inquire whether the same will conveniently accommodate more than one of the said children. And if they so find that they then ascertain and report how many the same will as aforesaid accommodate, describing each purport by metes and bounds and returning a just valuation and appraisement thereof. But if the said inquest shall find that the premises aforesaid with the appurtenances cannot be parted and divided to and among the widow and all the children of the said deceased nor accommodate more than one of the said children without prejudice to and spoiling og the whole, that they then value and appraise the same agreeably to law. That they estimate the widows part therein and in each purport if divided. That due and legal notice of the time and place of holding such inquestion be given to all the parties interested that they may be present if they think proper. And that the partition or valuation so made, you distinctly and openly have, under your hand and seal and under the hands and seals of those by whom the same shall be made before our Judges at Reading at our Orphans Court there to be holden the fifth day of August next. And have you then their this writ. Witness the honorable Robert Porter, Esq. president aforesaid court at Reading, the Eighth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fourteen.
John M Hyneman Clk.
To the Judges within named. I do hereby certify that by virtue of the within writ to me directed(having first duly warned the parties) I took with me twelve free honest and lawful men of my bailiwick and went to the lands and premises therein mentioned, and have by their oath and affirmation, finding the same could not be parted and divided to and among the parties on the said writ named without prejudice to and spoiling the whole have values and appraised the same as by the written writ. I am commanded, do by the schedule hereunto annexed appears.
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Dan Kerper Shff.
Submitted by Michelle.
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