Colebrookdale Twp., Berks County, PA - 1825, Recorded April 11, 1825
In the name of God amen, I Mathias Ritter senior of Colebrookdale Township, Berks County, Yeoman being of perfect healthy of body and of sound mind memory and understanding (blessed be God for the same). But considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in Manner and form following, to with principally and first of all, I command my mortal soul into the hands of God, who gave it, and my body to the earth, to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner, at the discretion of my Executors herein after named, and as to such worldly estate, wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give and dispose of the same in the following manner, to wit: Item - First it is my will, and I do order, that all my just debts and funeral expenses, be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be done after my decease. Item - I give and bequeath unto my dear wife Anna Maria all my personal estate, what I shall be possessed of at the time of my deceased (except what is herein after bequeathed, and the monies, bonds and outstanding notes and book debts) and two hundred pounds in money for her use, during her natural life, out of which she is to give and provide, for my daughter Catharina, all and everything necessary for housekeeping and three milk cows. Item - It is my will, and I do order, that the one thousand pounds which I have allowed my son John, in the sale of the plantation sold him, shall be in full for his share or portion out of my real and personal estate. Item - I give and devise unto my son Mathias his heirs and assigns forever the Plantation whereon I now dwell containing about one hundred and fifty acres, and a tract of timber land containing about thirty acres adjoining my so John's separate timber land, bounded by his land and what is called the Mill Road and a certain run or rivulets, together with all and singular whatsoever thereunto belonging, as well as my big wagon and plantation wagon, all my horses and colts (except one horse or mare for my wife, her choice) gears, all the black smith tools and my whisky still and the Hogsheads and barrels belonging to that business, first and foremost, I allow him the sum of one thousand pounds in the same, for his share or portion out of my real and personal estate, which shall be in full--and he shall pay out of the same, the sum of one thousand pounds in gold and silver lawful money of Pennsylvania unto my Executors herein after named, as follows, to wit, three hundred pounds thereof in one year after my decease, and yearly the sum of one hundred pounds thereafter, until the sum of one thousand pounds is fully paid. Reserving out of the said premises, for the use of my dear wife Anna Maria, the stone dwelling house, room in the cellar and spring house, as much as she may want, and the small garden before the house, also keep for her, one horse and two milk cows in winter and summer as good as his own is kept, during her natural life and give unto her yearly and every year during her natural life in due season, good order, and at proper times, the following articles, viz: ten bushels of wheat, six bushels of rye, ten bushels of buckwheat, six bushels of Indian corn, six bushels of potatoes, ten pounds of hatchel flax, ten pounds of fine...., six pounds of wool, fifty pounds of beef, one hundred pounds of fresh pork, one barrel of cider, and as many apples, she may want - haul and cut small from his timber, to her house, as much fuel as she may want, or stand in need of. Item - I give and devise unto my son Henry his heirs and assigns forever, my plantation, whereon he now dwells, containing about one hundred and thirty-seven acres, and about 5 acres of timber land (the remaining part of that tract, whereof my sons John and Mathias have part of) together with all and singular whatsoever thereunto belonging, first and foremost, I allow him the sum of one thousand pounds in the same, for his share or portion which shall be in full out of my real and personal estate, and he shall pay out of the same the sum of seven hundred pounds in gold and silver lawful money of Pennsylvania unto my Executors, as follows, to wit, the sum of one hundred pounds in one year after my decease, and yearly thereafter the sum of one hundred pounds, until the sum of seven hundred pounds is fully paid. Item - It is my will and I do order, that the tract of land I purchased from Owen Richards, shall be sold, after my decease, to the best advantage, and I do hereby empower my executors or the survivor of them, to give a sufficient deed of conveyance for the same in fee simple, to the purchaser or purchasers thereof. Item - It is my will and I do order, that after the decease of my dear wife Anna Maria, all the remaining estate, which I have given and bequeathed unto her during her natural live, shall be considered as part of my personal estate, and shall be divided as hereinafter directed. Item - I give and bequeath unto my daughter Susannah and her heirs, the one fifth part of all my personal estate (what is not already before bequeathed) - unto the heirs of my deceased daughter Elizabeth in equal shares, the second one fifth part thereof - unto the heirs of my deceased daughter Sally in equal shares, the third one fifth part thereof - unto the heirs of my daughter Marichen in equal shares, the fourth one fifth part thereof (provided nevertheless, that if my daughter Marichen, should stand in need of part, or the whole of the legacy, for the maintenance of her and children, she shall have a right to part of the same, or for the whole, if required for the purpose aforesaid.) - unto my daughter Catharina and her heirs, the remaining and last one fifth part thereof, of all my personal estate aforesaid, shall be paid unto the said legatees, as soon as it comes in the hands of my executors. And lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my said wife Anna Maria, and my son John, to be Executors of this my last Will, hereby revoking all other wills, legacies and bequests, by me heretofore made, and declaring this, and no other, to be my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof, I have set my hand and seal, the third day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and six. Signed Mathias Ritter Signed sealed published pronounced and declared, by the said testator, as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us, who in his presence and at his request have subscribed as witnesses. Mathias Richards Jr.Submitted by Betty.
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