In the name of God - Amen.
I Peter Ludwig of the Township of Bern in the County of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, yeoman, being in perfect health of body and of sound mind, memory and understanding, yet far advanced in life and therefore considering that my time for this world can be brief, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit:
First: It is my wish and I do hereby order and direct that all my just debts, if there should be any at my decease, and funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be after my decease.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth, so much of my bedding, household and kitchen furniture as she may choose for her own use, and also one house, three cows, two sheep, two hogs, and my light or small wagon, all which articles she shall have and keep in possession and use during her life. And the remainder of my goods of every description, I do hereby direct to be sold at public vendue for the best price that can be got, by my Executor hereinafter named and the proceeds of such sale shall be added to the rest of my personal estate, whatever the same may be or consists of and the whole shall then be divided in equal shares among my children to wit: Catharine, the wife of Daniel Loos, Susannah, the wife of Benjamin Shoemaker, John Ludwig, Samuel Ludwig, Peter Ludwig, George Ludwig, Magdalena, the wife of Jacob Faust, Daniel Ludwig, William Ludwig and Benjamin Ludwig. And in case any of my said children should then at the time of my decease, be dead leaving issue, then the children of the said dead child shall inherit, in equal shares, such share as would have come to such dieing child by the provisions of this will, in case it had survived me. Provided nevertheless that the following advancements which I have made to be my following named children shall be deducted from their respective shares as follows to wit; I have advanced to my daughter Catharine five hundred thirty three dollars and thirty three cent; to my son John one thousand dollars in land; to my son Peter one thousand dollars in cash; to my daughter Magdalena five hundred dollars; to my son Daniel five hundred dollars; to my son William one thousand dollars; and to my son Benjamin one thousand dollars. All which sums shall be deducted from the respective shares of my said children without charging interest on the same.
Item: I do hereby further give and bequeath unto my said wife Elizabeth, during her natural life, the rents, issues, profits, use and occupation of my Plantation situate in said Bern Township, adjoining lands of John Ludwig, Jacob Phillips, Benjamin Altenderfer, Jeremiah Blatt, and John Althouse, containing one hundred and eighty acres, more or less. And immediately after her decease the said plantation, together with such furniture and other articles then remaining, shall be sold, by my Executors hereinafter named, at public auction for the best price that can be got, and the proceeds of such sale shall, after deducting necessary expenses and charges, be equally divided among my above named children or their heirs. Giving and granting, by these presents to my said Executors full power to make execute and deliver to purchasers of said real estate all requisite deeds of conveyances to secure a good title for the same.
Lastly: I do herewith appoint my sons Peter Ludwig and Benjamin Ludwig as Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of December A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
Peter Ludwig (seal)
Sealed signed and acknowledged in presence of
Franklin Schmere
William Schoener
I Peter Ludwig the devisor of the foregoing last Will and Testament, do hereby add the following Codicil to the same, as follows to wit: I do hereby nominate and appoint my son William Ludwig as Executor of this my last Will and Testament in the room and place of my son Peter Ludwig, on account of the latter living so far off, which would make it inconvenient for him to attend the duties of an Executor of my last Will and Testament. This, and no other, is the cause of this alteration.
Witness my hand and seal this twenty eighth day of September A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty one.
Peter Ludwig (seal)
Witnesses present at signing
Franklin Bitting
William Schoener
Contributed by: Michelle.
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