1805 Reading
In the name of God, I George Heckman of the Borough of Reading in the County of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, yeoman, being weak in body but of Sound mind and memory blessed be Almighty God for the same do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit;
Item it is my will and I do hereby give and bequeath unto my step daughter Hannah Reigle, one spotted heifer upwards of two years old.
Item it is my will and I do hereby give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Catherine Heckman all and singular the residue and remainder of my personal estate, goods and chattels of what kind or nature forever for her life of the said Catherine Heckman and my four children born of the body of her the said Catherine namely (to wit) Abraham Heckman, Isaac Heckman, Christina Heckman and Ester Heckman,
And lastly I do hereby appoint my loving wife Catherine Heckman my sole executrix of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made and declaring this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and four.
George X (his mark) Heckman |SEAL|
Signed sealed published and declared by the above named George Heckman to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witness in the presence of the testator.
P.S. the above interlining was done before signing.
Jacob Gossin
Henry Betz
Registers Reading in Berks County 17th October AD1805 there appeared Jacob Gossin and Henry Betz witnesses to the above written Will, who being duly sworn according to Law, did dispose and say that they were present together and did see and hear George Heckman the Testator, sign (by his mark) seal, publish, pronounce and declare the same writing as and for his last will and testament; and that at the time of the doing thereof, he the said testator was of sound mind memory and understanding, to the best of their knowledge and they verify believe, and further, that the names Jacob Gossin and Henry Betz, are of the disposants own hand writing respectively, there subscribed as witnesses on the presence of each other and in the presence and at the request of the testator.
Coram me
Christian Barranstine D. Reg.
Submitted by Michelle.
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