Balthazar Leffel - Pennsylvania, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993

I Balzer Leffel of the Township of Amity in the County of Berks and State of Pennsylvania Being and Weak of Body but of Sound mind memory and understanding thanks be to God. Therefore, calling to mind the mortality of the Body that it is appointed unto all men are to die and after this the Judgement Have thought proper to Dispose of my ____ Estate which God in mercy hath helped me with in manner and form following that is to say. First, I will that all my just debts and funeral expenses be fully paid and discharged by my executors here in after named.

Item I give and desire to my beloved wife all my Real Estate during her natural life with the stove in the old end of my dwelling house where I now live in for her maintenance but not to destroy the timber willingly. But shall have full right of said estate to let it to whom she pleases for her maintenance during her natural life which is afterwards to be sold by my executors herein after named on public venue either for cash or on Payment as they see best and the money to be divided in manner following which shall be in seven equal shares – to be divided among my children and grandchildren.

Item – I give and Devise to my grandchildren of my son John Leffel the first seventh share of my estate to be divided equally among then all share and share alike

Item – I give and Devise to my grandchildren of my son Jacob Leffel Deceased the second Seventh share of my Real Estate to be divided equally among then all share and share alike.

Item – I give and Devise to my Grand Children of my Daughter Mary Schroeder, Wife of John Schroeder the third Seventh share of my Real Estate to be divided Equally among them all share and share alike.

Item - give and Devise to my Daughter Eve Boone Wife of Benjamin Boone the forth seventh share of my Real Estate to her and Heirs forever.

Item – I give and Devise to my Daughter Elizabeth Margaret Wife of Philip Marquart the fifth Seventh Share of my Real Estate to her and her Heirs forever.

Item – I give and Devise to my Daughter Savilla Pott Wife of John Pott the sixth Seventh part of my Real Estate to her and her Heirs forever.

Item – I give and Devise to my grand Children of my Daughter Susannah Remley wife of Henry Remley the Seventh part of my Real Estate to be Divided equally among them all Share and Share alike.

Item – I also give and Devise to my Wife one Bed and Bedstead, one Cow of her own choice without being appraised to be at her own disposal.

Item – I give and Devise to my son John the sum of five Shillings to be paid out of my Estate by my Executor here after named Immediately after my decease.

Item – I give and Devise to my Daughter, Mary, Wife of John Schroeder the sum of five Shillings to be paid out of my Estate by my Executors hereafter Named Immediately after my Decease

Item – I give and Devise to my Daughter Susannah Wife of Henry Rimby the sum of five shillings to be paid out of my Estate by my Executor hereafter named immediately after my decease.

Item – I also Will that all my Personal Estate shall be sold by my Executors on Public Venue immediately after my decease and the money to be divided in the same manner and Shares as here to fore the money is divided of my Real estate everyone in his turn his seventh Share as here to fore mentioned in dividing the Real Estate.

Item – I give and Devise to my grand Daughter Susannah Daughter of my son Jacob deceased the sum of ten pounds which is to be deducted out of the aforesaid second Seventh Share and after the 10 pounds being deducted then she shall be in equal share of the remainder of the second seventh share with all her brothers and sisters share and share alike.

Lastly, I ordain Constitute and appoint my Trusty friends Nicholas Jones and John Pott joint executors of this my last Will and Testament and final I revoke and make void all other and former wills by me heretofore made either by word of mouth or in writing Ratify and confirming this only to be my last. In Testimony where of I have hereunto let my hand and seal the 25th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six 1796. Signed sealed and published and declared by the said Balzer Leffel to be his Last Will and Testament in the sight and Presence of Jacob Rhodes, Jacob Herner.

Registers Office Reading, Berks County 6th August 1796 there appeared Jacob Rhodes and Jacob Herner witnesses to the aforesaid Will and being duly sworn respectively deposed and say that they were present together and dis see and hear Balzer Leffel the Testator therein named sign by making his mark seal publish pronounce and declare the same writing to be his last will and Testament and that at the time of the doing thereof he the said Testator was found mind memory understanding to the best of their knowledge and as they verify believe and further that the names Jacob Rhodes and Jacob Herner other to subscribed is of the proper handwriting of the levid deponents respectively subscribed as witnesses in the presence of each other and in the presence and at the request of the said testator. _____

Signed Chris Barrantined ____