Written- Oct. 1754 Probate- June 1771
In the Name of GOD Amen
I Vallintine Keele of Bibbers Township [now Perkiomen Twp] and the County of Philadelphia yeoman am at present time of a Good Sound and disposing mind and memory. Blessed be God Dolias Day. Do therefore make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following.
Item I give and Bequeath unto Youngest unmarried Son Henry Keele all my Plantation and Tract of Land whereon I now Liveth with the appurtonances there unto belonging, to hold to him the said Henry Keele his heirs and assigns forever.
Item I give and Bequeath unto my Well beloved Wife Susannah Keele all the thirds out of my Personal Estate according to Law.
Item It is my Will that after my Decease that all my Residuary part of my personal Estate shall be equally divided between my four Children that is Vallintine Keele, Mathias Keele, Bastian Keele and my Daughter, Mary Keele. And I do make and ordain my Son Vallintine Keele and my son Mathias Keele Sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament in Trust for the True Intent and meaning. In witness whereof I the said Vallintine Keele have this my last Will and Testament and Testament Set my Hand and Seal this fifth day of October in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Four.
Vallintine (his mark X) Keele [seal]
Witness-
Peter Penebacker,
Nichol Bunn
Item it is my Will that if my Son Henry Keele should dye without a Lawfull issue then it is my will that his Estate shall be equally divided amongst my other children. In witness where of I the said Vallintine Keele have to this my Codicil Will Set my Hand and Seal the fifth day of October in the year 1754. Signed Sealed and delivered in the presents of us, who were present at the Signing and Sealing there of.
Vallintine (his mark X) Keele [seal]
Witness-
Peter Penebacker,
Nichol Bunn
Philada June 3, 1771 Personally appeared Nicholas Bunn one of the witnesses to the foregoing Will and Codicil and on Oath did declare that he saw and heard Valentine Keele the Testator herein named Sign Seal Publish and declare the same Will for and as his Last Will and Testament and likewise saw and heard him Sign Seal Publish and declare the said Codicil respectively he was of sound disposing mind memory and Understanding to the best of his Knowledge and Belief and further that he the said Nicholas Bunn did see Peter Penebacker the other witness to the said Will and Codicil [and since deceased] Sign and Subscribe his name as a Witness to the Execution of both the said Will and Codicil in the presence of the Testator at his request and in the presence of the said Nicholas Bunn
Coram Benjamin Chew, Reg Gen
[mark]-[mark]
Be it Remembered that on the Third day of June 1771 the last Will and Testament of Valentine Keele deceased in due form of Law was proved and probate and Letters Testamentary thereof were granted to Mathias Keele [ Valentine Keele being absent] Executor in the said Will named being joint duly Sworn will and truly to administer the said deceaseds Estate and bring an Inventory there of into the Register Generals Office of Philadelphia on or before the third day of July next and render a true and Just amount of the said Administration on or before the third day of June 1772 or when there to Legally required Given under the Seal of the said office.
[mark] Benjamin Chew Reg Gen
Transcribed by Donna Boynton, October 28, 2004
Misspellings were not corrected; they are as they appear on the original Will.
Note: Benjamin Chew, the Register General on this Will, is the Father in-law of Benedict Arnold.
Submitted by: Dave.
Last Modified