Will of Henry Eby

of South Lebanon Township, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania


Document submitted by Donna Ristenbatt.
ON THE TRAIL OF OUR ANCESTORS
Will Book D, Page 218, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania
Written: 23 September 1863
Recorded: 18 June 1864

This will is written in German, and in German script. The woman who graciously translated this is truly German, thus some of the paragraphs are paraphrases of the will instead of word by word translation, as it is sometimes difficult for her to give a "verbatim" English translation. The essential facts are there, however. This will may also be found in the Lebanon County Courthouse, the same will in German.

In the name of God, Amen. I Heinrich EBY of South Lebanon Twp., in Lebanon County, and State of Pennsylvania, Yeoman, (Landman in the German) being of sound mind, body and memory, knowing the uncertainty of the time, am making this, my Last Will and Testament to take care of any debts I owe and furthermore, I wish to be buried as soon as possible after my decease.

Item 1- I give to Johannes HOAK, the six acres of land of my plantation in South Lebanon Twp, bordering the east side of his land and I make him one of my Executors and I give him the legal deed for these 6 acres of land and furthermore I give Johannes my apple cider press with everything that goes with it, the kettle, all my clothes, the best cow, horsewagon, harness, the two oldest and skinniest pigs, and a mare which I now own.

Item 2 - I wish to sell all my estate as a whole or in 2 parts in 2 years, to the highest bidder and after everything is sold and all debts are paid, I am now giving the proceeds and dividing them in the following manner: $800 is to go to the Lutheran Congregation (Evangelische) in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County and also to the Lutheran Congregation in Cleveland, Ohio for German missions or for whatever purpose they see fit.

Item 3 - I make Jacob EBY, my brother Jacob's son, one of my Executors and I give him $600.00 for just being my Executor.

Item 4 - I give to the Lutheran (Evangelische) Congregation in Lebanon a place for the Pastor to live, whatever the Elders think is best, $300 four times per year until the house is built if they wish to build or rent - this is up to the Elders of the Church - and if they wish to buy land to build a house. This is to be done after Jacob takes care of the rest of my Estate wishes.

Item 5 - I give to Susanna and Maria MALISTER, children of Maria MALISTER, sister of my wife, $500, to be divided equally among them.

Item 6 - I give to Polly ARTZ, wife of Christian ARTZ, the sum of $400.00, and in case she should die before she gets this bequest, it is to be divided equally among her children. I also give to Francis Marion Schnebly, Peter Schnebly's son, son of my wife's brother, the sum of $100.00

Item 7 - I give to Amanda, daughter of Jonathan EBY, the sum of $100.00

Item 8 - I give to Catharina HIBSMAN, the sum of $100.00

Item 9 - I give to Aaron Al EBY, son of Jonathan EBY, the sum of $100.00

Item 10 - I give to Levi FITERER, son of Johannes FITERER, the sum of $5.00

Item 11 - I give to Clara FITERER, daughter of Johannes FITERER, the sum of $5.00

Item 12 - I give to Amanda FITERER, daughter of Johannes FITERER, the sum of $5.00.

Item 13 - I give to Elizabeth FITERER, wife of Johannes FITERER, the sum of $5.00

Item 14 - I give to Wesley FERNSLER, son of Daniel FERNSLER, the sum of $5.00

Item 15 - I give to Rebecca BRICKSLER, daughter of Peter SCHNEBLY, my wife's brother, the sum of $60.00

Item 16 - I give to Philip BECKER, son of my sister Anna, $250.00

Item 17 - I give to Heinrich FERNSLER, son of Georg FERNSLER deceased, living in Lebanon, the sum of $50.00 and in case Heinrich dies, then it is to go to Heinrich's mother, whose maiden name was FASNACHT.

Item 18 - I give to the Lutheran Congregation in Lebanon (Evangelische) the sum of $275.00 for them to pay their debts.

Item 19 - I give to the Lutheran Congregation in Myerstown the sum of $200.00 for them to pay their debts. NB. The rest of my bequests are to be divided among my siblings children.

Item 20 - I give to my sister Barbara's children one equal fifth part of my estate, subtracting the sum of 50 pounds? which they have already received.

Item 21 - I give to my deceased brother Jacob's children an equal fifth part.

Item 22 - I give to my sister Maria's children one equal fifth part, subtracting 50 pounds? which they have already received.

Item 23 - I give to my sister Veronica's children, one equal fifth part.

Item 24 - I give to my brother Johannes' children (except for Christian, one equal fifth part.

Item 25 - I give $20.00 to make my burial place bigger.

Item 26 - I give to Elizabeth WILHELM and Catharina FISHER, $50.00, to be equally divided among them.

I hereby make Jacob EBY, my brother Jacob EBY's son, and Johannes HOAK, my Executors, in order to carry out my wishes and to make sure that each gets the portion as mentioned in my will.

Codicil: I am changing my original bequests as follows. The Orwigsburg Congregation is to receive $600 instead of $800. The Cleveland, Ohio Congregation is to receive $600 instead of $800.00. I also give Jacob EBY the sum of $450 instead of $600.00 and I give to Johannes HOAK 5 acres instead of 6 acres.

This is my last Will and Testament, written 23 September 1863 in the presence of these witnesses- John FITTERER and Samuel HARBESSON.

                                                    Henrich EBY  LS

Recorded June 18th, 1864.



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