1888 Reading
I Rebecca James of the City of Reading, Berks County and State of Pennsylvania, being of sound mind and disposing memory publish this as my last will and thestament, hereby revoking all other will or wills heretofore made by me.
Item: I direct my hereinafter named executor to borrow so much money upon my real estate, as will pay my debts and funeral expenses including a proper tombstone, also a good and proper suit of clothes for my husband Jacob James. And I hereby authorize and empower my hereafter named executor to execute and deliver the necessary bond and mortgage for that purpose with the same power and effect as I could have done if living.
Item: It is my will and direct that my husband Jacob James shall have the privilege of living in my present house or rent it to others and he to derive all benefits there from, by way of rental or otherwise during his life; he is however to pay all taxes, interest and to keep the said house in proper order and repair. Or should he desire the said house to be sold my hereinafter named executor agreeing thereto; it may be sold by my said executor and my executor is hereby directed to give and make the necessary deed of conveyance therefore the proceeds arising from such sale shall be applied as follows; 1st to the payment of the mortgage or mortgages thereon, 2nd the balance remaining shall be securely invested on 1st mortgages in real estate and the interest arising therefrom shall pass and be paid to my husband Jacob James as long as he lives.
Item: Ite After the death of my husband Jacob James my executor shall sell the house or security and apply the proceeds as follows. 1st paying all my husband's funeral expenses, together with a suitable stone. 2nd the balance if any remains to be divided as follows viz. one share to my son Howard L James, one share to my daughter Emma Amelia intermarried with Phillip Presser, one share to Ellwood James, one share to Clara Elizabeth intermarried with Jeremiah Fisher, one share to Daniel James, one share to Samuel James, one share to Anna Rebecca formerly married to John Graul, one share to Katie Irene James, being my sons and daughters.
Lastly: I Appoint Phillip M Ementraut to be my executor of this my last will and testament. In allestation(?) of which I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of July AD 1884
Rebecca James (seal)
The undersigned have hereunto set our signatures as witnesses to the due afecution(?) of this the last will and testament of the said Rebecca James at her request neither the within named Jacob James of Phillip M Ementraut being present.
D F Markley
Wm A Arnold
Berks County
On the 26th day of March 1888 before me personally appeared D F Markley and Wm A Arnold 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 Rebecca James testatrix sign, seal, publish and declare the foregoing instrument of writing as and for her last will and testament that at the time of so doing she was of sound and memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief
A H Fegely Regr.
Per H Shrunk D Regr.
Submitted by Michelle.
Last Modified