Estate Record of Mary Magdalena Benseman

Last Will and Testament of Mary Magdalena Benseman

In the Name of God Amen

I Mary Magdalena Benseman of the Borough of Hamburg in the County of Berks and State of Pennsylvania Being weak in Body but of sound mind memory and understanding, however considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do make and Publish this my last will and Testament in maner and forum following to wit;

First I direct that my Body be decently intered in the Burying Grounds of the Church I belong to according to the rights and cerimonys of said Church and that my Funeral be conducted without pomp unnecessary parade or ostentation and after so Intered I direct that a Tombstone be erected to my Grave and that all my first debts and Funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be after my Decease

Second I direct that all my estate both real and personal shall be sold by my Executors hereinafter named and collect all my outstanding monies as soon as it conveniently can be done and after so collected I direct that my Grand Child Abalena Beard shall have in Lieu of the rest Four Hundred dollars for services rendered to me

Third I direct that all the rest or residue of the monies derived from my estate in the hands of my Executors after all expences be deducted therefrom shall be equally divided among my three children namely to my son Jefferson one share and to the Heirs of my son Franklin Frederick (Deceased) one share and to the Heirs of my Daughter Lugracia intermarried to Michael Beard (lately Deceased) one share and I do hereby make and ordain my Grand Daughter Abalena Beard and John Tobias of the said Borough of Hamburg County and State aforesaid my Executors of this my last Will and Testament reposing full confidence in their integrity to perform the trust this committed to them. In Witness Whereof I, Mary Magdalena Benseman the Testatrix have to this my Will written on one sheet of paper, set my hand, this Eighth day of May A.D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven

Mary Magdalena (her mark X) Benseman

Signed and delivered in the presence of us who have subscribed in the presence of each other

M.P. Doering
Jacksan Sevan

Berks County ss.
Registers Office May 17 1867.

Then personally appeared M.P. Doering and Jackson Sevan the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of Mary Magdalena Benseman deceased, and on their solemn oath, did, say that they were present, and did see Mary Magdalena Benseman of Hamburg, deceased, the testatrix therein named sign (by making her mark) and declare the same as and for her last will and testament and that at the doing thereof, she was of sound, disposing mind, memory and understanding, to the best of their knowledge, observation, and belief.

J.D. Nanner
Register

(Note: a 1 Dollar Lease stamp was in top left corner)

Inventory of Mary M. Benseman's Estate

B 1867

Filed May 31, 1867

A true and perfect Inventory and just appraisment of all and singular the goods and Chattels rights and Credits which were of Mary Magdalena Benseman late of the Borough of Hamburg in the County of Berks and State of Pennsylvania Deceased at the time of her death to wit;

(Note: 596.95 marked through)

(Note: 5 cent stamp at bottom)

Taken and appraised by us the subscribers the 18th day of May A.D. 1867

Charles Faust
Jackson Levan

Berks County SS

On the twentieth day of May A.D. 1867 before me the subscriber one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County came the above named Charles Faust and Jackson Levan who being qualified according to law do declare that the above inventory contains a Just and true appraisment of the goods and Chattels rights and Credits which were of the said Mary Magdalena Benseman deceased so far as the same came to their knowledge to the best of their skill and Judgement

Witness my hand and seal

Henry Burkhatter J.P.

Account of John Tobias and Apoline Beard, Executors of Mary M. Benseman decd.

B 1867
Filed Nov. 9. 1867.
Copied

Account of John Tobias and Abaline Beard Executors of the last will and testament of Mary M. Benseman, late of the Borough of Hamburg Burks County, deceased.

The said accountants take credit for the following payments made on accounting said estate, to wit-

Errors & confirms excepted

John Tobias
Apoline Beard
Executors

Reading Nov. 9. 1867

Account of Mary M. Benseman

B 1867
Recorded Vol. 13, Page 51
Copy
Account Sur Estate of Mary M. Benseman Dec'd.
Filed Nov. 9 1867
Dec. 19. 1867
Confirmed Nisi By the Court
Levi H. Sieff Clk. O.C.

(Note: This section is exactly the same as the account above, only in different, more legible, handwriting)

To the Honorable the Judges of the Orphans Court in and for the County of Berks.

I certify the foregoing to be true and correct copy of the original account filed in the Registers Office, that I have carefully examined the same with the vouchers and paper and found it according to the preceeding statement.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office. Dec. 7. 1867

J.D. Wanner
Register

Date of this Transcription: March 1995, KCW
Location of Original Source Document: Berks Co Register Off, Reading PA
Copy Document Location: KCW, San Diego,CA

Notes

• Above is verbatim transcription of original document to the best of my abilities
• Notes indicate comments by KCW for clarification
• Entire document hand written

Submitted by Kim.