In the name of God, Amen. I Jacob Fisher of Tulpehocken Township in the County of Berks and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, yoeman, being at present in perfect health of body and sound mind, memory and understanding, blessed be God for the same, but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and publish this my last will and testament, in manner and form following, to wit; Principally and first of all I commend my immortal soul into the hands of God who gave it - hoping through the merits of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, to receive remission of all my sins and a happy admission into the realms of bliss and immortality - and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent and christianlike manner at the discretion of my executors, hereinafter named. And as to such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, devise, and dispose of the same in the following manner, to wit; IMPRIMIS. It is my will and I do order and direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be fully paid and satisfied, as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. ITEM, I give and bequeath unto each and every of my three daughters, to wit, Catherine, the wife of Christian Noecker, Magdalene, the wife of Jacob Reed, and Elizabeth, the wife of Adam Kreitzer, the sum of £500 lawful money of Pennsylvania, to be paid and delivered by my executors, hereinafter named, unto each and every of my aforesaid three daughters or to their respective heirs or representatives from my estate, provided, always that my executors shall have due regard and power to deduct such articles and sum or sums, from either of my aforesaid daughters bequeathed £500 which I have advanced to each of them in my lifetime, or by me charged upon a piece of paper to them in order to bring them or their heirs or representatives upon an equal portion of £500, as aforesaid. ITEM, it is my will and I do order that neither of my three sons; Adam, John or Christian, or their heirs shall have any demands against my estate, until each of my said three daughters or their heirs or representatives have fully received their several legacies of £500, as aforesaid, because I have allowed and advanced unto each of my aforesaid three sons in the lands and other articles, which I have given and granted unto them in my lifetime, and whenever the aforesaid legacies to my daughters are paid and satisfied, as aforesaid, it is my will that my six children, to wit; my three sons, Adam, John, and Christian, and my aforesaid three daughters, or their several heirs or representatives, shall equally divide the remainder of my estate amongst them, share and share alike. AND, WHEREAS, I am bound in a certain Instrument of Writing unto the late Reverend Henry Mnhlenberg, deceased, to pay 1/8 part of all the costs and charges, which would, or if any should accrue upon or concerning some lands, in company with the heirs of Conrad Weiser, Esquire, deceased, as in and by the said Instrument of Writing will more fully appear. It is therefore further my will and I do order and direct my executors, hereinafter named, or the survivors of them, shall and do appropriate the sum of £300, out of my estate, for the use and payment of such part of the costs, should any accrue, as I am bound in the aforesaid Instrument of Writing, and I do hereby authorize and empower my executors, hereinafter named, as soon as conveniently may be after my decease, to draw the aforesaid £300 from my estate, and as soon as they conveniently can, place the same out at interest, for the fulfillment of my part in the said Instrument of Writing, mentioned, but in case the said £300 with the interest it may have gained should not be sufficient to pay or discharge such debt, then and in such case, shall my six children, their heirs or legal representatives, shall pay each a proportional part toward the discharge of such defeciency. AND, lastly, I nominate, constitute and appoint my son, Christian Fisher, and my son-in-law, Christian Noecker, to be my executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and disannulling all former wills by me made, and In witness whereof I the said, Jacob Fisher, have hereunto set my hand and seal the Fifth day of October in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and two.
JACOB FISHER (SEAL)
EXRS: Son Christian and son-in law Christian Noecker.
WITS: John Anspach and Christian Lower.
Comments by the writer:
The indications are that his wife, Mary Elizabeth Frederick, had died prior to the making of this will. If there were any other children, they also died before, and left no heirs. The writer thinks there may have been one or two other children; if so, they possibly died in their minority. It is believed that all of his children, except his son Christian, and daughter Catherine (Mrs. Christian Noecker), lived at a distance, and this may have been the reason for aprointing them the executors. Christian lived on the old Fisher Homestead, which his grandfather, Sebastian, had owned as early as 1733 or 1734.
Submitted by: Harrison.
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