1811: Bern Township, Berks County, PA
In the Name of God Amen!
I Abraham Bucks, in Bern Township, Berks County; am weak as to the Body, though thanks be to God very often for my good Mind and Memory, Have considered the mortality of man and direct all how it shall he held with my Estate, be it personal or real, after my demise.
First, I direct that my body be buried in a Christianlike manner.
Secondly, it is my Will that all my just debts shall be paid by my hereinafter named Executor.
Thirdly, I give and bequeath all my Land and Buildings, fences, water and water Rights so as it at present is thereto. I say all the Land which I own in the before mentioned Berks County and likewise thereto, four horses with the (? Geers?) and the large Waggon and three cows and four Swine, thirty bushels of Oats, twelve bushels of Buckwheat, twenty of good Wheat and the old Gun I give and bequeath unto my younger son Daniel. I say all Articles and Bequests, I give to my three sons, namely John Bucks, Abraham Bucks and Daniel Bucks, to them their heirs or assigns for ever. For which they shall pay to their sisters yearly one hundred pounds, that is to say the 23rd day of May after my Decease; I say the 23rd Day of May after my decease the sum of one hundred pounds to my Daughter Susanna and two years or the second Payment the 15th day of May one year after the first, shall they pay to my Daughter Sarah , the third to Margareth, the fourth too Magdalena, the fifth to Catherina, the sixth to Anna Maria; then it will begin again with the oldest until the sum of fifteen hundred pound Gold or Silver money are paid. I say the fifteen hundred pounds shall all be what the three sons named John, Abraham, and Daniel shall give for the bequeathed land.
Fourthly, It is my Will that after my Decease all the personal Property shall be made into money by my hereinafter named Executor as usual, first an Inventory thereto to be made afterwards Vendue; and the money arising therefrom to be divided and circumstances will admit between my daughters Susanna, Sarah, Margareth, Magdalene, Catherine, and Anna Maria in equal shares.
Fifthly, it is my Will that if it should so happen that one of my named Children die without Heirs, then shall that share be divided equally amongst the rest.
Sixthly, It is my Will that my three sons John, Abraham, and Daniel shall not pay any money on the real Estate until the 15th day of May A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirteen; and shall pay no money on the real Estate until the time comes when the Land maybe divided after the full age of my youngest son, that comes on the fifteen day of May eighteen hundred and thirteen.
Seventhly, It is my will, that when my youngest son Daniel has arrived to his age, then shall the three mentioned John, Abraham, and Daniel divide the land as well as they can, and impower my Brothers Son John Bucks, that he shall sign Deeds for the mentioned three sons to whom I have bequeathed them my Land. which shall be as good as if I had made them myself.
Eighthly, I nominate and elect for me over this my last Will as Executor, my two sons John Bucks and Abraham Bucks and disannul all former made wills and acknowledge this and no other. This shows my name and Seal the 24th day of April A.D. 1811
Sealed and signed by the Mentioned
Abraham Bucks (Seal)
Abraham Bucks as his last will.
At his request have we signed our names of Witness hereunto.
Christian Haag
Philip Klein
Sumitted by: Bonnie Blau.
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