Tobias Melchor Will

The following is a transcription by John-Pierre M. Hannam, Sr. of the 11 August 1876 will of Tobias Melchor.  Copy of original was provided by Carol Lembke-McKee-Jenkins.  Another copy, with additional supporting documents, was provided by Edie Gale Hays to John-Pierre M. Hannam, Sr., on 13 January 2005 .  [Comments] in brackets by Mr. Hannam for clarification.

[Handwritten, in English]

I, Tobias Melchor, of Nockamixon Township in the county of Bucks and state of Pennsylvania , being of sound mind, memory, and understanding, do make this my last will and testament.

First - I give and bequeath unto my wife, Caroline Melchor her full share of my estate according to the intestate laws of Pennsylvania .

Second - All the remaining part of my estate, real or personal I order and direct shall be divided among all my children share and share alike and in case my grand-son Oliver Melchor a son of my son Samuel Melchor deceased should not arrive at the age of twenty one years or die in his minority then I direct that the share of my said grand-son Oliver shall be equally divided Among my remaining children.

Third, I hereby give unto my Executors full power to sell all my real estate.

Lastly, I appoint my two Sons Oliver Melchor and Josiah Melchor, and my son-in-law William W. Trauger, Executors of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal this eleventh day of August AD one thousand eight hundred and seventy six.

Witness present

Sarah L. Stover

Josiah N. Stover

[signed by] Tobias Melchor [seal]

[AFFIDAVITS and ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS]

[These were pre-printed forms with handwritten names, dates, and pronouns in the blanks.]

#15895                          1883

Estate of

Tobias Melchor

Late of

Nockamixon Township

AFFIDAVITS

Filed October 3^rd, 1883

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania , County of Bucks , ss.

Personally appeared before me Wm. R. Wright Depty [not sure of this] Register for the Probate of Wills and granting Letters of Administration, in and for said County, William W. Trauger who being duly affirmed according to law, duly depose and say that Tobias Melchor late of Nockamixon Township said County, deceased, died at _____ on or about Friday the 21^st day of September A.D. 1883 aat 2.30 o’clock PM. of said day to the best of his knowledge and belief.

Affirmed and subscribed before me this 3^rd day of October A.D. 1883.

[Signed] Wm. R. Wright Depty [not sure of this]   Register.

State of Pennsylvania , County of Bucks , SS.

Before me, William [?] Barton, Esq., Register for the Probate of Wills and Granting Letters of Administration, in and for said County, came Josiah Melchor and William W. Trauger who, being duly qualified, says that as Executors of the last Will [?] pf Tobias Melchor late of Nockamixon Township deceased, you will well and truly administer the Goods and Chattels, Rights and Credits of the said deceased according to law, and diligently and faithfully regard, and well and truly comply with, the provisions of the law relating to collateral inheritances.

Affirmed and subscribed before me this 3^rd day of October A.D. 1883

[Signed] Wm. R. Wright Depy [not sure of this]  Register.

[Signed] Josiah Melcher

[Signed] William W. Trauger

Bucks County , ss.

On the Third day of October A.D. 1883, personally appeared before me, Wm. R. Wright Depty [not sure of this] Register of Wills, in and for the County of Bucks, Sarah L. Stover and Josiah N. Stover the subscribing witnesses to the annexed instrument of writing, purporting to be the last will and testament of Tobias Melchor dec’d, and being first duly affirmed according to law, did depose and say that they were present and saw and heard Tobias Melchor the Testator sign and seal, publish, pronounce, and declare the annexed paper writing as and for this last will and testament, and that at the time of his so doing he was of sound mind and memory, and of disposing understanding, to the best of their knowledge and belief.

[Signed] Wm. R. Wright Depty [not sure of this]    Register.

Bucks County , ss.

Be It Remembered, That on the Third day of October A.D. 1883, the annexed last will and testament of Tobias Melchor deceased, was duly proved, when letters testamentary thereon were granted unto Josiah Melchor and William W. Trauger  Oliver Melchor the other Executor appointed in said will having renounced his right to act the Executors therein named they having been duly affirmed well and truly to administer the goods and chattels, rights and credits of the said deceased according to law.  And also, diligently and faithfully to regard, and well and truly comply with, the provisions of the law relating to Collateral Inheritances.

[Signed] Wm. R. Wright Depty [not sure of this]  Register.