Proved December 31, 1841, Berks County, PA
Surnames: FOCHT, LOY, JACOBY, SHAPPELL, STOYER, BAVER, DERR, MENGEL
In the name of God, Amen, I, John George Focht of the Township of Windsor in the County of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, Farmer, being weak in body and of sound mind, memory, and understanding, but enduring the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following to wit.
First, it is my will and Gods Order and direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be after my decease.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my dear Wife Susanna [Loy] as much of my household furniture and kitchen utensils as she may choose to keep for her use during her natural life, together also two cows at her choise and for her use during her lifetime, and four hogs of her choise and chickens as many as she may choose to keep for her use.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son John the bed and bedstead which he hath as present in use, for his use during his natural life.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Christina as much household furniture and kitchen utensils (of which the major part is at present made and prepared for her and in her possession) so that it will be the same as my other daughters did receive from me in my lifetime, and to her heirs and assigns.
Item. I do further order and direct that my herein after named Executors shall place out on interest on good security the sum of three hundred dollars of my estate during the natural life of my wife, Susanna, and the interest arising thereof, my said executors shall pay to her at any time when she doth stand in need thereof, for her maintenance and support, or any part thereof.
And as touching all the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, real and personal, of whatever kind or nature soever the same may be , in the County of Berks, or elsewhere, I do hereby order and direct, that my executors hereinafter named, or the survivor of them (not otherwise heretofore bequeathed) shall as soon as conveniently may be after my decease, sell and dispose of by public sale, and the need proceeds arising from such sale and of my estate (not otherwise bequeathed) I give and bequeath unto my nine Children, to wit: Elizabeth Jacoby, Polly intermarried with Jacob Shappell, Catherina intermarried with Samuel Stoyer, Susanna intermarried with Adam Loy, Hannah intermarried with John Baiver [Baver], and Christina; and sons Jacob and Jeremia and John, to be equally divided to and amongst them share and share alike, or to their heirs and assign, except,
Item, I do further order and direct that the bequest of share which is coming to my son John shall be and remain in the hands of my son Jacob, during said John's natural life, and the said son Jacob shall be and remain in the hands of my son Jacob, during said John's natural life, and the said son Jacob shall pay three percent interest annually, and said interest shall be applied towards the maintenance and support of said John during his lifetime, by his trustees hereinafter named, and said trustees shall receive said interest for the purpose aforesaid, and in case the said interest should not be sufficient for the maintenance and support of said John, then and in such case his trustees may take a part of the whole of his share and apply it for his maintenance and support, and my said son Jacob shall pay straight John's share at any time when required, or any part thereof.
Item. I do further order and direct that the bequest and share which is coming to my daughter Christina, shall be and remain in the hands of her trustees, hereinafter named, during said Christina's life, and said trustees shall loan and give said Christina's share to Adam Loy (my son-in-law) for three percent interest, payable annually, provided Adam Loy doth give sufficient security for the same unto said trustees, and said interest shall be applied toward the maintenance and support of said Christina during her life, by her trustees herein after named, and said trustees shall receive said interest for that purpose aforesaid, and in case said interest should not be sufficient for the maintenance and support of said Christina, then and in such case her trustees may take a part of the whole of her share and apply it for her maintenance and support, and said Adam Loy shall then pay it out, said Christina's share at any time when required or any part thereof.
Item. I do hereby constitute and appoint, and do order and direct, that my three sons, viz. George, Jacob and Jeremia shall be the trustees of the aforesaid John and Christina, and to have in their care, their estate.
Item. I do give and bequeath the shares of John and Christina if any remaining after their decease, and the residue and remainder of my estate after the decease of my wife, unto Elizabeth Jacoby, Polly intermarried with Jacob Shappell, Catherina intermarried with Samuel Stoyer, Susanna intermarried with Adam Loy, Hannah intermarried with John Baiver [Baver], and sons Jacob and Jeremia, to be equally divided to and amongst them share and share alike.
Item. I do order and direct that after the decease of my wife, the remainder of my personal estate shall be sold by public sale by my herein after named executors, and the need proceeds arising therefrom, shall be equally divided amongst the last above named Legatees.
And Lastly, I nominate, constitute and appoint my three sons George, Jacob and Jeremia to be the executors of this my Will.
Item. I do still further order and direct that my son John and my daughter Christina shall receive their shares the same as the other Legatees above named, after the decease of my wife, but be received by their trustees and applied by them as aforesaid, for their maintenance and support.
And Lastly, I do hereby revoke all other Wills, Legacies, and bequests by me heretofore made, and declaring this and no other by be my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the eight day of February, One thousand eight hundred and forty.
Johan Georg Focht (his Seal)
Witnessed by Israel Derr and Joseph Mengel.
Note: JOHANN GEORG FOCHT, a farmer, was born 14 Jan 1758 in Germany. He married Susanna LOY (b. 28 Dec 1764; d. 26 Apr 1843) in 1783, and died 26 Oct 1841 in Windsor Twp., Berks County, PA.
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