Last Will and Testament of Jacob Mathias Showalter
Jacob Mathias Showalter was born 1702 in Strengelbach, St. Giles canton,
Switzerland. He immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1750. He married Mariah Saunders, who survived him. He was
my 6great-grandfather.
Jacob Mathias Showalter left a will on 07 March 1767.
Jacob Showalter will (pro. 28
April 1773), Philadelphia County Will Book P, no. 279: 401, City Archives, 401 City Hall Annex, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. Microfilm 0021727, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
The transcript of the Will read:
I Jacob Showalter in the County of Northampton in the province of Pennsylvania,
having by the blefsings of the Almighty God Considerably advanced to old age and feeling the infirmities thereof
tho at the same time being of Sound Understanding and memory I do in the first place recommend my Soul to the
Hands of my true Redeemer Jesus Christ and my Body to the Earth until Resurrection agreeable to the Lord's Will,
and for preventing all Contests and disputes which might arise after my decease I have made and published this
my last Will and Testament in manner following.
First I have delivered unto my son Valentine Showalter my
Plantation or Tract of one hundred acres of Land Situte in the Township & County aforesaid, that is to say,
for the Consideration of four hundred pounds Lawful money of Pennsylvania; and the said money shall be paid to
my Children in manner following. Valentine Showalter shall of the aforesaid four hundred pounds have Sixteen
pounds beforehand and then my Children shall have each an Equal part thereof. But in Consideration that I have
given to my Son Valentine Sixteen pounds beforehand he shall pay twinty pounds every year commencing to pay the
Eldest who is now living and so Continueing to the youngest until each shall have received his part of the afors.d
four hundred pounds, and he shall give his Brothers and Sisters Notes and Bonds for their Inheritance. Further
I do ordain that my Eldest Son Peter Showalter or his Heirs shall have one Shilling Sterling for his double share
of Inheritance and over & above the s.d one Shilling Sterling he shall not under any pretence whatever
have more than an equal part with my other Children. And moreover I Will that the Heirs of my Eldest Son shall
in the last place receive their Inheritance.
But whatever I have yet in my Hands shall remain till after their
mothers death and then it shall be divided like moveable goods among my Heirs.
And I do further Will and ordain
that if my daughter Ann Frisher Should marry again then so much of her heriditary portion as She has yet to receive
shall be divided among her Children in equal parts tho my daughter may have it in use until the Children come of age.
Further I do Constitute and Ordain my son Joseph Showalter and my Son in law Henry Funk Executors and my son John
Showalter overseer Non. I hope that this my last Will shall be inviolately kept so that if pofsible none may be
wronged.
In Witnefs Whereof I have in the presence of Subscribing Witnefses set my hand and Seal hereunto the
7th day of March 1767.
Jacob Showalter (Seal)
George Groff
Jacob (his mark) Ber
Philad.a April 28th 1773. Personally appeared George Groff and Jacob Ber the Witnefses to the
forgoing Will and on their Solemn Affirmation according to Law did declare that they saw and heard Jacob Showalter the
Testator therein named Sign Seal publish and declare the same Will for and as his Will and Testament and that at
the Execution thereof he was of sound disposing mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowedge and belief.
Coram Benjamin Chew, Reg. Gen.l
Be it Remembered that on the 28th day of April 1773 the last Will and Testament of Jacob Showalter deceased
in due form of Law was proved and Probate and Letters Testamentary thereof were granted to Joseph Showalter and
Henry Funck Executors in the said Will named, being solemnly Affirmed will and truly to administer the said decids.
Estate and bring an Inventory thereof in the Register Generals Office at Philadelphia on or before the 28th day
of May next and render a true Account of the said administration on or before the 29th day of April 1774, or
when thereto Lawfully required. Given under the Seal of said Office.
Benjamin Chew, Reg.r Gen.l.
His will was proved on 28 April 1773 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
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Created with The Master Genealogist for Windows on 28 Oct 2010 at 11:40 pm.