1887 Bern
In the name of God Amen, I Charles Heckman of the Township of Bern, County of Berks and state of Pennsylvania, being of sound mind, memory and understanding do make and publish this, my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time made.
Item; It is my will and desire that my hereafter named executor shall pay my just debts and funeral expenses as soon after my decease as conveniently can be done out of my estate.
Item; I desire that my son in law Samuel B. Gehret, will keep me, care and provide for me during the remainder of my days, give me a decent burial, as near the cause as he has done for my wife, and that for the trouble and costs for the same he be paid out of my estate.
Item; I devise that after, all my debts, funeral expenses, expenses for the settlement of my estate, etc. are fully paid, out of my estate, then the balance shall be divided into six equal parts, one part to my daughter Emmeline, widow of Reuben Miller, one part to my daughter Eleanor wife of Charles Herring, Valaria wife of Samuel Groh (one part), one part to Caroline wife of Samuel B Gehret, and one part to Susan wife of William Heiter, and one part to the children of my son Garmen Heckman, now deceased.
Item; I have some little furniture which I do not want sold, but want my five daughters to divide amongst themselves, peaceably.
Item; I direct that my hereinafter named executor shall have a tombstone the same as I have ordered for my wife, erected to my memory.
Item; Lastly, I appoint and constitute my son in law Samuel B Gehret as the executor of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I Charles Heckman the testator have to this my last will and testament written on one sheet of paper set my hand and seal this Twenty-Seventh day of August A.D. one thousand eight hundred and eighty-six.
Charles X [his mark] Heckman |SEAL|
Signed, sealed and declared by Charles Heckman the testator as his last will and testament, in the presence of us and at his request as witnesses hereto.
Joseph P Belleman
Isaac H Rahn
I Charles Heckman the within named testator do hereby make and publish this codicil to be added to my last will and testament bearing date of 27th day of August A.D. 1886 in the following to wit;
Item; I hereby order and direct my Executor, to have erected a tombstone to the memory of my son Garman Heckman, and pay for the same out of the part or share that I have bequeathed to the children of my said son Garmen Heckman, deceased and after deducting the price for said tombstone divide the balance of said part or share amongst said children equally.
In witness whereof I Charles Heckman the testator have to this codicil to my last will and testament set my hand and seal this Twenty-Third day of September A.D. one thousand eight hundred and eighty-six.
Charles X [his mark] Heckman
Signed, sealed and declared in the presence of us upon the request of the testator.
Joseph P Belleman Isaac H Rahn
Berks County SS;-
On the 16th day of July A.D. 1887- Before me personally appeared Joseph P Belleman and Isaac H Rahn the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing will, who being duly sworn according to Law did dispose and say that they were present and did see and hear Charles Heckman, testator, sign seal publish and declare the forgoing instrument of writing as and for his last will and testament that at the time of so doing the was of sound mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief.
A.S.Strunk Regr.
Submitted by Michelle.
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