Perry Township, Berks County
Written: Nov. 9 1855; Recorded: Nov. 25 1858
Heirs: Schappell, Boyer, Eisenhower, Miller, Adam, Folk, Hottenstein, Groscup, Levan, Hartinger, Kemmrling, Strouse, Hiester, Strumm, Lessig, Osawalt
Others: Schwimer, Hoffman, Potteiger
In the name of God Amen. I Peter Shappell of Perry Township Berks County in the State of Pennsylvania, Yeoman, being of good health of body and of sound mind, memory and understanding, yet far advanced in life and therefore considering my time for this world can be but brief, 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 and devise 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 have made the following advancements to my hereafter named children.
To wit, I have given and advanced to my son Samuel the sum of two hundred and sixty six dollars, four hundred dollars and two hundred dollars, in all eight hundred sixty six dollars;
To my son Daniel, one hundred and fifty nine dollars;
To my daughter Susanna, who was intermarried with Jacob Boyer, one hundred and fifty dollars;
To my daughter Catherine, widow of Martin Eisenhower, two hundred eight five dollars;
To my daughter Mary intermarried with William Miller, one hundred fifty dollars;
To my daughter Elizabeth, who was intermarried with Anthony Adam, one hundred thirty two dollars;
To my son Solomon, one hundred and nine dollars and sixty cents;
To my son John, two hundred and eighteen dollars and twenty one cents;
To my son Peter nothing;
And to my son Jacob, I have given and advanced his full share in land;
All which sums shall be deducted from the respective shares of my said children without charging interest on the same.
Item. it is my will that my maid Elizabeth Schwimer shall have my personal property in care and keep the same in good order (and a right to reside in the house in which I now reside) until the same is sold and delivered to the purchasers thereof, and she shall have a right to take her property that she owns away after my decease without any hindrance of any of my children, and, in case she should be in need of rye or wheat for bread, until my personal property is sold and delivered she shall have a right to buy it on account of my estate, and also to have the right to get a maid to assist her in said time if she chooses to have one.
Item. It is my will and I do order and devise that all my property of every description shall be appraised after my decease by two respectable citizens chosen by my executors hereinafter named and an inventory thereof filed in the registers office of Berks County and the saleable articles sold at public vendue (as soon as conveniently can be after my decease) for the best price that can be got by my executors hereinafter named. And the proceeds of such sale shall be added to the rest of my estate whatsoever the value may be or consists of and the whole (after deducting necessary expenses and charges) shall be equally divided to and among my nine children or their heirs, to wit
Samuel, Daniel, Catherine, Mary, the children of my daughter Susanna deceased, the children of my daughter Elizabeth deceased, the children of my son Solomon deceased, the children of my son John deceased, and all the children of my son Peter deceased of his first and second wife (including the aforesaid advancements) share and share alike. Provided nevertheless that my grandchildren of my said five deceased children, Susanna, Elizabeth, Solomon, John, and Peter, shall inherit in equal shares, such shares as would have come to my said deceased children.
Item. It is my will and I do order and direct that if any one of my children should set up a claim against my estate, or dispute the validity of this my will, or be dissatisfied as I have ordered or made this my Will, in such case he, she or they so claiming or be dissatisfied shall be no heir to my estate but be totally excluded and the same to be divided among the rest that are satisfied in equal shares.
And lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my son Samuel and my friend Samuel Hoffman as executors of this my Will, hereby revoking all other wills 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 ninth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five.
Peter Schappell
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Peter Shappell as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witness thereto.
Michael Hoffman
Charles Hoffman
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Berks County on the twenty fifth day of November AD 1858 appeared Michael Hoffman and Charles Hoffman, the subscribing witness to this will, they being first duly sworn did depose and say that they were present and did see and hear the testator Peter Shappell sign seal publish pronounce and declare the forgoing instrument of writing as for his last will and testament and that at the time of the doing thereof, he was of sound mind, memory and understanding, to the best of their knowledge, understanding and belief.
Daniel Potteiger, deputy register
List of heirs, as named in the Distribution
Submitted by: Kathy.
Last Modified