Heidelberg Twp 1824
In the name of God Amen, I Rosina Lerch, of Heidelberg Township, in the County of Berks, Widow, considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following to wit.
First, it is my Will and I do order that all my just debts and funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied, as soon after appearances and circumstances permit and in case my, personal property be insufficient for the purpose, then I do order and direct by Executor hereinafter to rent or lease my Real Estate (except for the part given to Catharine) to the best advantage until all my debts be paid together with the costs and charges which may be created by the due execution of my said Will.
Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Catharine and after her decease, to son, his heirs and assigns, the house wherein I at present render together with such necessary ground affect the same as can be thereto attached, with the meadowland on the south side of the turnpike, one half of the garden consisting about one acre or thereabout, also six acres arable land to adjoin John Fisher, Jacob Roland and my other land, also one acre of woodland to adjoin the said six acres, also one acre of my hill woodland to adjoin the land of Michael Fisher, all which said land to be laid off by survey under the direction of my Executor, I give and devise also to the said Catharine and after her decease to her son, privilege the barn for thrashing for stowing away fodder straw to, one stable below, and s stable in the west end of the shed. I give and devise unto my said daughter during her life privilege to take apples from ten apple trees and which privilege to be determined and fixed upon by my Executor. I give and devise also unto my daughter Catharine my cow and copper kettle.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Magdalene, and after her decease to her heirs and assigns, six acres of my tract of land, Heidelberg Township to be laid off along the Furnace Road from the turnpike to George Wolfalsberger's land also two acres of my Hill woodland, to adjoin that part bequeathed to my daughter Catharine.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Susannah and after her decease to her heirs and assigns six acres of y land laid off from the turnpike to Wolfalsberger's land, adjoining that part bequeathed to my daughter Magdalene. Also two acres of my Hill Woodland next to Magdalene land. All which to be under direction of my Executor laid off by survey.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son Daniel, and after his decease to his heirs and assigns all the rest and residue of my real estate, not herein before bequeathed under the following conditions, that the pay unto legatees here after named the sum of eight hundred pounds, to wit, in one year after he comes in possession of the premises, he shall pay the interest of two hundred pounds to my daughter Elizabeth and the like sum to each and every year during her life and after her decease pay the principal sum of two hundred pounds to her heirs. Two hundred pounds of the aforesaid eight hundred shall be paid to my daughter Mary, two hundred pounds to my daughter Nelly and the residue sum, to wit two hundred pounds to my daughter Margaret, and to their heirs and assigns, in the following manner, to wit one hundred dollars annually until the six hundred pounds are paid, beginning first with Mary, and pay her one hundred dollars, in the second year pay one hundred dollars to Nelly and the third year one hundred to Margaret and so on until the whole be paid.
But my Will and meaning is notwithstanding I herein give and devise two hundred dollars to my daughter Margaret this on care her husband John Sweigert shall recover out of my estate anything he may claim against me, such given or like sum shall be deducted from her share, and distributed among my other children. And whereas my real estate is at present leased for a term of years, if in case the rents issues a profit be more than will pay my debts to. Such surplus with any other of my credits not devised, shall be equally distributed among all my children. And I so also direct that in care either my daughters, Elizabeth, Magdalene or Susan, become a widow and helpless that in such case a small house or dwelling be erected for them by my son Daniel and son in law Fredrick Fisher at their expenses, for the residence of such the said daughter as is required, giving such of them, the privilege getting water from the pump near my house.
And lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my friend John Miller of Sinking Spring Village to be the Executor of this my last Will and Testament, 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 hereunto set my hand and seal the eighth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and twenty three.
Rosina Lerch |SEAL|
Signed sealed and declared by the said testator as her last will and testament in the presence of us.
Matthias S Richards
Denny Bindly
Submitted by Michelle.
Last Modified