1796 Windsor Twp.
In the name of the Holy Trinity of God the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, I make my Will and Testament that no person may add to or take from the same, Amen.
I Conrad Arnold in Windsor Township Berks County and the State of Pennsylvania farmer being weak and sick in body, but of sound mind memory Thanks be to God who ????? me of my mortal faith and having that it is decreed once to die make and order this, last will and testament.
That is to say principally and firstly I give and bequeath my soul into the Hand of Almighty God who gave me the same and my body I recommend to be buried in the Earth in a decent Christian Burial not doubting in the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again through the powerful Hand of God.
Now respecting such worldly Estate wherewith I had pleased God to bless me in this Life. I give and bequeath of the same reflections on manner and form as follows;
Firstly my wife Maria shall have fifty pounds in money and all the household furniture which she brought to me, further a cow and one bed and bedstead one chair one table and all the rest on short whatever has been her furniture besides this she shall not have anything. Further, she or my wife Maria shall after my decease which shall take place in two months to quit the land.
Further I bequeath unto my daughter Catharine all that I have to wit the land and the remaining estate and the land shall be let and the hay or sheafs of grain shall be taken from the land for second crop, ???? or any other measure. Further, the home and barn shall be kept under good roof. Further, when my daughter Catharine is eighteen years of age she is authorized and everything falls into her Hand that she may do therewith as she pleases.
Further there are fifty pounds in arrear from a Legacy from her father‘s first wife Susanna, this my daughter Catharine shall also receive of my inheritance, ten pounds which my daughter Catharine shall get from the decease of my mother. Further, she shall have the chest with the clothes contained in the same which belonged to my first wife Susanna.
I ordain for this for my last Will Henry Keller to be the Executor of this my last Will and Testament. I further ordain that my daughter Catherine shall have schooling until she is fourteen years old and then go to the Sacrament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this 29th da7 of January in the year if our Lord 1796. Written sealed and pronounced by the aforesaid Conrad Arnold to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in the presence of each have our names under written.
Conrad Arnold [Seal]
Jacob Kummerer
Philip Mourer
A literal translation of the original in German by John Spayd
Contributed by: Michelle.
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