I Benneville Balthaser of Muhlenberg Township, Berks County, Penna being of Sound Mind Memory and understanding do make and publish this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me any time here to fore made.
And first I do nominate constitute and appoint my daughter Elizabeth Graul wife of James W. Graul to be executrix of this my last Will and Testament.
And second I do order and direct that my just debts and funeral expenses be fully paid after my decease.
Third I do give and bequeath and devise to my wife Mary Balthaser all my estate real personal and mixed of whatever nature and kind the same may be and where so ever shape. To have and to hold the same ?? and during her natural life provided she survive me. In the event of she not surviving me (and in the event that she do survive me shall after her death). I do order and direct that that my whole estate so as aforesaid bequeathed to her for life shall be converted into money by my said executrix and the proceeds after payments of all debts expenses shall be divided in equal shares among my five children to wit: Margaret Anna Rebecca widow of Richard J. Kerr, deceased; Sarah wife of Peter Ebling; Mary wife of William Herb; Elizabeth wife of James W. Graul; and Catherine wife of Daniel Dautrich. The share of such of any said children as shall be death so go to their heirs.
I do order that no such conversion of my said real estate shall be had with the space of two years after my death or the death of my said wife should she survive me.
In witness whereof I do hereunto set my hand and seal this Twenty Sixth day of February A.D. eighteen hundred and ninety five (1895).
Benneville Balthaser (seal)
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named Benneville Balthaser as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
Samuel Rupp
Daniel E. Schroeder
On the 5th day of March A.D. 1896 Before me personally appeared Samuel Rupp and Daniel E. Schroeder, the subscribing witnesses to the forgoing will of Benneville Balthaser deceased on their sworn oaths, did say that they were present and did see and hear Benneville Balthaser, deceased, the testator therein named, sign, seal, publish and declare the same as and for his last will and testament and that at the time so doing he was in sound mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief.
Wm Schaffer Regr.
Per H D Strunk D.Regr.
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