Will of Jacob Zettelmeyer, 1774, Berks Co PA
This 22nd of December 1774, I Jacob Zettelmeiyer considering that Man is mortal have therefore made an Order for the Direction of my Wife and Children after my Decease as to my Estate and thereto have chosen and appointed my Wife Margaretha Barbara as Executor to administer the same according to my Last Will and Testament as follows:
1. Firstly. I Jacob Zettelmeiyer devise to my Son George Adam Zettelmeiyer my Dwelling Estate with 212 I say Two hundred and 12 Acres of Land as his Inheritance with all my Right and Title to dispose thereof as his own But out of this Dwelling Estate and above mentioned Land he must provide the necessary Support for his Mother and give therewith to his Brothers & Sisters as further follows.
2. Secondly. Jacob Zettelmeiyer will that my wife Margaretha Barbara shall have her Abode in my Dwelling House, which I dwelt in myself and devised to my Son George Adam, during her Life and further he shall give for our Support while I yet live with her every year 30 Bushels of Grain to wit 24 Bushels of Rye and 6 Bushels of Wheat so long as I live and after my Death for her only 15 Bushels 12 Bushels of Rye and 3 Bushels of Wheat.
Further my Son George Adam Zettelmeiyer or whoever lives on the Place shall give her every Year Land for Potatoes that is dunged or manured 10 Rods long and 2 Rods further, the Hemp Patch by the Creek and that dunged, further shall be given my wife every Year a Milch Cow for her Use whichsoever she chooses for one Year.
Further George Adam Zettelmeiyer must fit up the new Room in my Dwelling House for my Wife Margaretha Barbara and put an Iron Stove in it and bring the Fire Wood and put as much as she wants to the House and cut it as small as usual and must carry the Grain to the Mill for her and the Meal to the House again and must give her the Strip of Garden at the Front Corner of the House to the Front Corner of Stable dunged for her Use and plough and harrow the above mentioned Land which she has in Use.
Further, George Adam Zettelmeiyer shall allow my Wife at all Times during her Life the 4 rows of Apple Trees from the Hill with their Fruit.
Further, He shall give her every Year 3 Pounds of Wool.
Further, He shall give her every Year 100 and 50 Hens Eggs.
Further, I Jacob Zettelmeiyer give to my Wife Margaretha all the Household Goods what Iron & Pewter Utensils there are to her Use so long as she lives and all Casks and Tubs that are here.
Further, my Son George Adam Zettelmeiyer shall give to my wife a Fat Hog at one hundred Weight more one Bushel of Salt yearly. Further, I bequeath her the Chest and what is therein and if my Wife should be sickly or bedridden my Son George Adam or whoever lives on the Place shall give her proper Attendance.
Whereas in this Devise or rather Sale to my Son George Adam Zettelmeiyer I Jacob Zettel-meiyer have sold him the 2 hundred and 12 Acres with the House and Land and all my Right & Title Therefore my Son George Adam Zettelmeiyer must provide the above mentioned Maintenance for me & his Mother on the aforementioned House & Land and also pay 70 I say seventy Pounds to his Brothers & Sisters as follows.
1. Firstly. My Son George Adam Zettelmeiyer must pay £ 10 I say ten Pounds to his Mother as Executor the 27th Day of November in the Year 1776.
2. George Adam Zettelmeiyer must pay £ 15 I say fifteen Pounds on or before the 27th Day of November in the Year 1777 to his Mother.
3. Thirdly. George Adam Zettelmeiyer must pay £ 15 I say fifteen Pounds on or before the 27th Day of November in the Year 1778 to his Mother.
4. Fourthly. George Adam Zettelmeiyer must pay £ 15 I say fifteen Pounds on or before the 27th Day of November in the Year 1779 to his Mother.
5. George Adam Zettelmeiyer must pay £ 15 I say fifteen Pounds on or before the 27th Day of November in the Year 1780 to his Mother.
6. My Son Jacob Zettelmeiyer has an hundred Acres off my Land which I Jacob Zettelmeiyer his Father sold him for £ 30 I say thirty Pounds lying towards Heinrich Bolender and he must still, after Deducting his Portion, pay his Mother ten Pounds on the 27th day of November in the Year 1776.
This is my last will and Testament in good Understanding and witnessed with
my own Hand and Seal. Done this 22 December 1774.
s/ Henrich Bolender 1. The Children shall be thus provided for - John George shall receive his
Share from his Mother in the Year 1776 the 27th November 22 Pounds and this is
his whole Portion. 2. Martin Zettelmeiyer shall receive 20 Pounds in the Year 1777 the 27
November of his Mother. 3. Elisabetha Zettelmeiyer shall receive 20 Pounds on the 27 Day of
November in the Year 1778 of her Mother. 4. Godfrey Zettelmeiyer shall receive 20 Pounds the 27 Day of November
in the Year 1779 of his Mother. 5. Anna Maria Sebolt is bequeathed by her Father in the Will an
English Shilling. Will Book 2, page 90, Berks Co PA Register of Wills To view the photocopy of the original will written in German,
click for page 1, page
2, and page 3.
Jacob Zettelmeyer's
mark from original will
s/ Martin Rousch
