1797 Greenwich Township
In the Name of God Amen. Whereas I Phillip Arnold of Greenwich Township in the County of Berks, Blacksmith in the state of Pennsylvania find my Sick weak in bed, although with a sound mind understanding memory for which God be thanked having considered the mortality of my body I do this twenty seventh day of April one thousand seven hundred and ninety make publish and ordain this my last will and testament, but before all I recommend my Soul unto the Hand of the Almighty God who gave it and do ordain that after my decease my body be buried in a Christian like & decent manner and touching my worldly estate, I do dispose of it in the following manner that is to say first I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Anna Elizabeth my bed with bedstead and everything thereunto belonging, also one cow to have her choice out of my stock of cattle, also two sheep with the wool, and as much good hay or second crop as she may want to feed the aforesaid cattle during winter to be hauled home for her and put in such placed upon the dwelling place as she may ordain, and to suffer said cattle to graze without hindrance upon my plantation, Further the kitchen dresser with all the utensils also the new room toward sunrise for her sole dwelling as long as she lives also the half of the Cellar under the house according to her choice also the pipestove in the new room also the one half of the kitchen garden near the house according to her choice and the possession of the place shall ???? into the same the necessary manner every year as long as my said wife Anna Elizabeth lives. Further the possession of the place whoever the same may be after my decease shall deliver at much firewood at her dwelling as she may want, and cut the same small fit to be put on the fire as long as she lives. Further I do bequeath to my wife Anna Elizabeth in provisions as follows four bushels of wheat nine bushels of rye four bushels of buckwheat on bushel of salt one fat hog to be clean of the weight of one hundred gross weight besides the lard and bowels also half a pound of pepper half a pound of allspice one hundred eggs, further three pounds on gold or silver money and that as long as she live. And it is my will that the above mentioned articles as the yearly reservation for my said wife shall be duly kept and delivered, during her whole life shall be duly kept and delivered according to the true intent and meaning hereof that is to say as long as she remains my widow, but if my said wife should marry again then it is my will that hall the bequeaths which I have made to her together with the whole of the yearly reservation shall totally revert to the three last children to wit Susanna, Philip and George ????? in equal shares and she shall not have the right to live any longer upon my said plantation according to the true intent an meaning hereof. This is to be understood that if my said plantation should be sold then immediately the yearly reservation shall begin and not sooner my said plantation (not in will “plantation must mean wife”) shall after my decease carry on my plantation and also pay the debts and she shall sell of my household goods and grain so much until the debt is paid to wit my said wife Anna Elizabeth shall do this and shall keep the children clean and send them to school and to be confirmed to the Lutheran Doctrine and immediately to put the two boys to trades such as they will to learn when they are confirmed also to clothe the three children. Also my said wife shall give unto my daughter furniture as is customary and also when she shall arrive at lawful age and also twenty pounds on gold or silver money at the sale of the place, of the place should not be sold then my daughter Susanna shall receive in proportion yearly until she have twenty pounds for her inheritance and not more. Then I Bequeath to my two sons Phillip and George Arnold my plantation situate in Greenwich Township containing eighty eight acres bounded by land of David Hutterstone Frantz Arnold and land of others together with the buildings and all the rights in short what is within the lived. Further my son Jacob has already received his inheritance and shall not have any more of my estate and not be an heir any further, I further bequest unto my son Frantz tree pounds in gold or silver money, this shall be his inheritance and not more, further I bequest to my daughter Elizabeth five pounds in gold or silver money as her inheritance and not more, further I bequest to my daughter Catharine five pounds in gold or silver money as her inheritance and not more but my two sons shall not pay this before they are of lawful age which is twenty one years then they shall pay on of their brothers or sisters each year and so one each year while they are paid, and it is my will that my said wife shall carry on the place until my two sons are twenty one years old and not longer and then the same shall belong to my sons Phillip and George Arnold to possess or sell the same as they please or to let it also my two sons when they possess the place shall divide the remaining movables in equal shares when my wife Anna Elizabeth has taken her bequest and my daughter Susana her cow and furniture. I do also constitute and appoint my wife Anna Elizabeth and my trusty friend Henry Kohler to be Executors of my things which are herein mentioned and do hereby declare and define that every thing may be done kept thereformed according to the true contents, intent meaning hereof , and I do hereby declare ratify and confirm this and no other to be my last will and testament in testimony and confirmation of which I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above mentioned.
Phillip Arnold [Seal]
Signed sealed published by said Phillip Arnold last will and testament in presence of us subscribed
Phillip Opp
Nicholas Rolick
A true literal translation by John Spayd
Contributed by: Michelle.
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