Baltzer Knortzer, Sr. Last Will and Testament

[A copy of the will of Baltzer Knortzer, Sr. obtained by Sherri at York County Archives, transcribed by Jean. Underlined portions were either unreadable or did not make sense]

This the the will of Baltzar Knortzer (b. 1701), father of Baltzer Knortzer (b. 1730). Baltzar Knortzer was married to Maria Dorothea Mayer. She died during their trip to America. They were both born in Germany. He was re-married to Catherine.

Definitions of terms used in this will:

Hereditaments - s/b hereditments. It means property that can be inherited.

Appurtenances - this is a good word it means a right, privilege, or property that is considered incident to the principal property for purposes such as passage of title, conveyance, or inheritance.

Last Will & Testament of
Baltzar Knortzer
___ the 10th Sept.
1769
__ both __ as sworn at
that Time
recorded

In the Name of God Amen: I Baltzar Knertzer of the Town of York in the County of York in the Province of Pennsylvania Yeoman being well in Body, and of Perfect Mind and Memory Thanks be to God for the same, but farr & advanced in years and calling to Mind the uncertainty of this transitory Life and that all Flesh must died and hereby revoking all former and other Will and Wills, Testament and Testaments heretofore by me made and declared, Do make, ordain, Publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say. First and Principally being penitent and heartily sorry for my Sins, commit my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God, in whom and by whose Mercy I trust and assuredly believe to be saved, and my Body I commit to the Earth, to be decently buried by and at the discretion of my Executors herein after named, and for the disposing of such Temporal Estate which it hath pleased God to bless me with, I do give, devise and dispose of the same in manner and form following to wit.

Imprimis. I give and bequeath to and for the use of the Lutheran Church in York Town of which Church and Congregation I am a Member, the sum of five Pounds lawful Money of Pennsylvania to be paid within one year after my decease to the Elders or Wardens of the said Church, then, and for that time being.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved Wife Catharine Knertzer, All that House and Lot of Ground situate on the East side of Beaver Street, being the same wherein I now dwell with the Appurtenances To hold to her during her Natural life, and to be kept in repair for her during the Term of her Natural life aforesaid with Money to be raised out of my Estate, and from and after her decease I order my Executors to expose to sale the said House and Lot with the Horeditaments and appurtenances for the best price that can be gotten for the same, And do hereby Impower and authorize my said Executors, or the survivors of them, to grant, Convey and assure the same House and lot with the Appurtenances unto Such Person or Persons as shall Purchase the same by such Deed or Deeds Devices and Conveyances in the Land whatsoever, to vest an Estate in Fee unto and in such Purchasor or Purchasors thereof; And the Money thereout arising to be divided with the Rest of my Estate, as I shall hereafter order and direct.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my said Wife Catharina Knortzer the Bed I now use with the Bolsters, Pillows and all other Furniture belonging thereto Also a large Brass kettle, and the Washing Tubs, two Iron Potts, large one and a little one, a Brass Pann, a Frying Pann, two little Panns, one Skillet, two Pewter Basons, a large one and a small one, two Pewter Dishes, one Dozen of Pewter Plates, and one Doz. of Pewter Spoons, one Skimmer, two Ladles and a Flesh Fork, three Pails, one Pair of Tongs & Fire Shovel, one Pott Rack, two Pewter Tankerds, and one Pewter half Pint, one Watering Pot, Four Pieces of Linnen Cloth, two of which are of Flax, one of Hemp and the other of Tow, one Chest which she shall chuse, one Table and all the Chairs, Stools and Benches in the House and one Churn. Also the Cow I shall leave at the Time of my decease, as long as she shall think Proper and convenient to keep her and then to be returned to my Executors to be sold. And also two little Spinning Wheels, six Table Cloths, six Hand Towels, a Dough Trough and six of the least of the Baggs, one Barral, a small bagg, her Side Saddle and Bridle, and to keep all her Wearing Apparel; Also to have the Sum of five Pounds, at and immediately after my decease.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my said Wife Catharina Knortzer the Interest of four hundred Pounds, to be paid to her by my said Executors Yearly and every year during her natural life, the first payment to be made within five months after my decease. All which aforementioned bequests to my said Wife Catharina are to be in full satisfaction and Bar of her Dower and thirds of and in all the Messuages, Tenements, Lands, Hereditaments and Premises, whereof I shall die seised. And it is my Will and I order that my said Wife Catharina, shall not at, any time after my decease, Sell, give, Will or bequeath any of the above mentioned, and aforementioned Goods to her given as aforesaid, but shall be and remain for her only use during her Natural life, and after her decease to be sold and the Money divided with the Rest of my Estate as I shall hereafter appoint & direct.

Item. I give and bequeath unto Nicholas, Andreas, Baltzar, Margaret and Catharina, Children of my said Son George Christopher Knertzer, by his first Wife Margaret, the one fifth part of my Estate, the whole to be divided into five parts, to be equally divided amongst them share and share alike, first deducting out of the said fifth part the Sum of Sixty Pounds�Proportionable to each ones Share, which said Sum their father has heretofore received from me. And it is my Will and I do order that none of my said Grand Children shall have and receive their respective shares or Parts�until they shall from time to time arrive to their respective Ages, and that their said Shares be put out to Interest for their respective Use and Uses, benefit and advantage, And in case any of my said Grand Children shall happen to die under Age and without lawful Issue then the Part and Share of him, her or them so dying shall go and be divided among the Survivor or Survivors of them.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my Youngest Son Baltzar Knortzer one other fifth part of my Estate, the whole to be divided into five Parts, deducting thereout the Sum of Seventy three Pouonds eight Shillings and eight Pence�being the Sum he already received of me.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my oldest Daughter Catharina Opp one other fifth part of my Estate, the whole to be divided into five parts, deducting out of her said Part the Sum of Sixty Pounds and Sixteen Shillings being the Sum she already received of me�

Item. I give and bequeath unto the Children of my Youngest Daughter Dorothea Miller, Wife of Andreas Miller, as well to those that are now Born as to them that may hereafter and after my decease happen to be Born, one other fifth part of my Estate, the whole to be divided into five Parts, to be equally divided amongst them all Share and Share alike, deducting out the said fifth part of the Sum of Sixty pounds,--Proportionable to each ones share being the Sum Which their Mother already received of me which said sum of Sixty Pounds I allow my Said Daughter Debt real and pro ondre and to be in all her share�And it my Will and I do order that none of the �Children of my said Daughter Dorothea Shall have or receive their respective shares or parts until they shall from time to time arrive to their respective Ages. And that the Same shares be put out to Interest for their respective Use and Uses benefit and Advantage. And in case any of my said Grand Children shall happen to die under Age and without lawful Issue then the Part and Share of him, her or them so dying shall go to the Survivor or Surviors of them to be equally divided�

Item. I give and devise unto Andreas Grass, Son of my Stepson Andreas Grass�deceased, One Certain Surveyed Tract of Land Situate lying and being in�Newbury Township in the County of York adjoining the Land of Darby�Conrad Containing one hundred Acres; together with the Hereditaments and Appurtenances thereunto belonging; together also with all Deeds evidences Warrants Draughts and Wordings touching the Same, To have and to hold the said Tract of Land unto the said Andreas Grass, his Heirs and Assigns To the only proper------nd behalf of him the said Andreas --- his Heirs and Assigns forever.

Item. I give and bequeath unto the said Andreas Grass the remaining fifth part of my Estate, deducting thereout the Sum of Sixty � Pounds, which sum I have already paid to and for the Use of the said Andreas Grass

Item. I give and bequeath unto my said Son Baltzer Knortzer One Still and all the vessals belonging to the Same, over and above his part to him before given�

Lastly. I, Nominate Constitute and Appoint my said Son Baltzer Knortzer and my Trusty and loving Friend George Kuntz Executors of this my Last Will and Testament In Trust for the Intent and Purpose in this my�Last Will contained. In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand and Seal the fifteenth Day of August in the Year of Our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Sixty seven.�

Signed Sealed, Published and declared by the said Baltzar Knortzer,
the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the Presence of Baltzer Knortzer
us, who have Subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto, in the
presence and at the Request of the said Testator and in the Presence
of each other�[Note the interlineations between the 8th & 9th lines from
the Top is at first made]

bertrm Luitnow
Jacob Glsrobyt
Jacob Billmeyer jun