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"Stahlman" Last Will and Testament Transcriptions

Thanks to Kathy Stahlman, I now have the start of a collection of "Stahlman" Last Wills and Testaments. She obtained them from her father-in-law, Paul V. Stahlman, of the line from John Jr. and Catherine (Paul) Stahlman. 

The copies of the original hand-written documents are a little hard to read, so any errors in my transcriptions are unintentional. In some cases, I have had to apply just a little imagination to preparing the transcription's to maintain intent as the copies were so hard to read. 

I hope to eventually secure more legible copies to clarify and confirm my interpretations and also  gather more to post here. 

So, If anyone has something to contribute  or corrections to bring to my attention, please contact me. I'll be more then happy to reply, transcribe and post. 

Steven A. Stahlman at :    [email protected]    

1. Last Will and Testament of John Stahlman

In the name of our God Amen. I, John Stahlman, of Lower Mahantango Township and County of Schuylkill in the State of Pennsylvania, being sick and weak in Body, but of sound mind, memory and understanding, blessed be God for the same, but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following; to wit.

Principally, and first of all, I commend my immortal soul into the hands of God, who gave it, and my Body to the Earth, to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner at the discretion of my Executors, herein after named, and as to such worthy Estate, wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give and dispose of the same in the following manner; to wit.

First, I give and devise unto my dear wife Elenor, the plantation hereon I now live with all that is thereon erected and the gristmill with all that is belonging to it, containing one hundred acres, more or less, of land that is today in use until my son Gabriel is to the age of twenty-one years, and also all the creatures and things on these premises in her use during the said time. And she is to pay all my debts. 

And when my son Gabriel is to that age, she is to have for use during her life, the new house on the mentioned premises, one third ground in the garden, bake oven, two cows, two beds and two bedsteads, one bureau, one table with one drawer, three chairs, the house clock, one copper kettle, one iron kettle, one iron pot, one iron pan, one ladle, one kitchen suet fork, one churn, one wash tub, one cabbage tub,, two buckets, six pewter plates, one barrel, one big plate, six spoons, six knives, six forks, one copper coffee kettle, one coffee pot, one tea pot, six tea cups, six  (illegible), two candlesticks, one blanket and the earthenware; all what is her due, and in every year to have from this mentioned premises five bushels of wheat, ten bushels rye, one bushel (illegible),  two bushels corn, eight bushels potatoes, five bushels buckwheat, seventy five pounds beef, one hundred fifty pounds hogs meat, eighteen pounds lard , twenty pounds husked flax, twenty pounds (toma)toes, eight pounds wool, one pound coffee, four pounds chocolate, three pounds tea, twelve pounds sugar, one half pound allspice, one pound pepper, one half pound ginger, one barrel and a half cider, five bushels Windsor apples and apples she can make (into) five bushels (of) trite apples and (if) she cannot make them, (illegible) is to give her four bushels of trite (is this applesauce?) apples, that is to say if it do give on the premises (I assume he is referring to the apple crop yield) , and Ten Dollars in money and firewood and that cut small and fetched into her home when wanted , twelve fowls privileged to run on the premises, and the two cows are to be kept fit and stabled as the others on the premises, and if she cannot milk them , they are to be milked and  (the milk) fetched into her house. And if she do(es) get sick or weak they have to maintain her _________.

Second, I give and devise unto my son Samuel , the plantation joining the above, beginning at the line where I and my son Jeremiah made, thence along the same to the east thereof, thence east along the lane to west of the run, thence north to the other line. Thence round the line to land of Solomon Stahlman and from thence to place of beginning, containing one hundred acres be the same more (illegible) , for Thirteen Hundred and Thirty Three Dollars and Thirty Three Cents. That is One Thousand Dollars as (illegible - inheritance?)  and to pay one year after my decease, one hundred dollars, and one year after that ditto one hundred dollars, and one year after that ditto one hundred dollars, and one year after that ditto one hundred dollars, and one year after that, the remainder that is for the plantation and all what is thereon erected._____

Third , I give and devise unto my son John, the Plantation in Mifflin Township, Dauphin County on Mohantango Creek, and Grist and Sawmill and all what belongs to and all what is on said . Said Plantation erected containing one hundred and thirty four acres for Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars of which Fifteen Hundred Dollars as (illegible - inheritance?)  and is to pay one year after my decease, Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars and Every year thereafter One Hundred  Thirty Three Dollars and Thirty Three Cents until it is all paid. And  if He does not accept of the same to take it to my Executors who shall rent out the same until my debts thereon are all paid, and soon after, they shall set it on Public (illegible) ____. 

Fourth, I give and  devise unto my son Jacob my plantation whereon I do live containing one hundred acres of land be the same more or less and gristmill and all what belongs to and all what is erected in said Plantation. The two best horses of mine with the  gear for too, the low wheeled wagon, one plow with the gear and swiveltree, one harrow, two dung and two hay forks, for Three Thousand Dollars and five hundred, of what is One Thousand Dollars for (illegible - inheritance?)  and one year after he gets the plantation and mill in Care, he is to pay one hundred and thirty three dollars and thirty three cents and so every year one hundred and thirty three dollars and thirty three cents till it is all paid and do perform the dower to my wife Elenor which is mentioned in the first section and to keep my mother in law Nancy M. Crorey sufficient need clothing washing lodging maintaining during life _______

Fifth, I give and devise unto my daughter Nancy, the wife of Henry Shuker, one hundred and thirty three dollars and thirty three cents, that is to say, one year after all my debts are all paid, except them which is on the plantation in Dauphin County. _____ 

Sixth, I give and devise that after my daughter Nancy has the above mentioned  then my daughter Rebecca shall have one hundred thirty three dollars and thirty three cents and after that my daughter Catharine shall have the same and after that my son Gabriel  shall have the same and after that my daughter Salome shall have the same, and so on as mentioned till each have One Thousand Dollars, and as touching all the rest, residue and remainder of any Estate, real and personal, of what kind or nature soever the same may be, in the County of Schuylkill aforesaid or elsewhere, I give and devise unto my sons Solomon, Jeremiah, Samuel, Jacob, Gabriel, and my daughters Nancy, Catharine, Rebecca and Solome or the survivor or survivors of them and the heirs of such survivor or survivors equally to be divided between them. And from and immediately after my wife Elenor is deceased the same what is left. The same shall be unto my ten children that is Solomon, Jeremiah, John, Samuel, Jacob, Gabriel, Nancy, Catharine, Rebecca and Salome or survivor as aforesaid equally to be divided between them.

And Lastly I nominate, constitute and appoint my son Jeremiah and my son in law George Deiterich to be the executors of this, my will hereby revoking all other wills and testaments and bequests by me heretofore made and declaring this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the Thirty First Day of September in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand, Eight hundred and Twenty Three.

John Stahlman

Signed, sealed, published , pronounced and declared by the said testator as his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request have subscribed as witnesses.

Johannes Kunselman    Jacob Bachler  (both signatures hard to read)

In Schuylkill County, The 12th day of November A.D. 1823 before Francis B. Nichol ? Registrar for the probate of wills and granting letters of administration.

2. Last Will and Testament of Jeremiah Stahlman

I, Jeremiah Stahlman, of Limestone Township, Clarion County and the State of Pennsylvania, being aged and infirm, but of sound mind and retentive memory, and being desirous of settling my worldly business and estate, and for that purpose, do publish this as my Last Will and Testament, and first, I order all just debts, together with my funeral expenses, to be paid. 

The balance of my Estate, I order be divided as hereinafter directed, that is, I desire all my remaining estate to be divided share and share alike between my eleven surviving children namely, Moses, Paul, Bennewell, Gabriel, Dewalt, Cornelius, William, Ester, Nancy, Lucy, and Elizabeth. 

Having already advanced each of my seven sons the sum of five hundred dollars and each of my four daughters different sums for which I hold all their receipts, I order that each of my said daughters be first paid the balance of the five hundred dollars making their sums equal with my sons, said sums to be paid according to their respective ages. 

Beginning with the elder, the balance of my estate, as it becomes due, I order be paid in equal shares to each of my children in order of age as above, giving and bequeathing to each of my eleven living children an equal sum. 

And further, I do hereby appoint John S. Stahlman the Executor of this, my Last Will and Testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of September in The Year of Our Lord, One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty Six.

Jeremiah Stahlman

In the presence of:    Joseph Cochran    H. R. Hime    Jacob Stahlman

3. Last Will and Testament of Jacob Stahlman

I, Jacob Stahlman of Limestone Township in the County of Clarion and State of Pennsylvania, being of sound mind, memory and understanding, do make and publish this as my last Will and  Testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made. 

As to such estate at it hath pleased God to entrust me with I dispose of the same as follows:

Item: I give, devise and bequeath to my daughter Angeline and Reuben Reinard, her husband, a tract of land situated in Richland Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, adjoining lands of George Kunselman and Solomon Yount, containing one hundred acres more or less which I have heretofore conveyed to my daughter Angeline and her husband Reuben Rienard by good and sufficient deed.

Item: I give, devise and bequeath to my grandchildren Elizabeth Yeany ??, Solomon Shaffer and Mary Shaffer, children of my daughter Catharine Ann, deceased, who was intermarried with Jacob Shaffer, deceased, the sum of seven hundred dollars to be equally divided between them so that each shall receive the sum of two hundred and thirty-three 33/100 dollars.

Item: I give, devise and bequeath to my son Felix Stahlman, my homestead farm on which I now reside, situate in Limestone Township, Clarion County, Pennsylvania, adjoining lands of Peter Armegost and Jacob Armegost senior, and William Stahlman, containing one hundred and fifty seven acres, and allowance which I have heretofore conveyed to my said son Felix Stahlman by a good and sufficient deed, which shall be advancement in full of his, my son, Felix Stahlman's share of my estate or devisee.

Item: I give, devise and bequeath to my son Solomon Stahlman, a tract of land, situated in Redbank Township, Armstrong County, adjoining lands of John Shirley and George Mitchell, containing one hundred acres more or less which I have heretofore conveyed to my said son Solomon Stahlman by a good and sufficient deed..

Item: I give, devise and bequeath to my son Isaac Stahlman, in trust for my grandchildren, Ezra Thompson Furlong and Elsy Claretta Furlong, children of my daughter Maria, deceased, who was intermarried with John Furlong, the sum of one thousand dollars to be paid to the said Trustee, Isaac Stahlman, by my executors, heretofore named, and by him to be invested in some good and safe securities on interest, and the interest, as it accrues, added to the principal and to be equally divided after deducting the cost of the Trusteeship between my said grandchildren, Ezra and Elsy Claretta on their arriving respectfully at the age of Twenty-one years.

Item, as to all the rest and residue of my personal estate, whichsoever and wheresoever, and of what nature, kind, and quality  remain, the same may be and not hereinbefore given and dispursed of after paying my debts, legacies, funeral expenses, and the cost of settling my estate, I give and bequeath unto my children, except my son Felix Stahlman who has received his share in  full, share and share alike as follows.

For my daughter Angeline one share; my grandchildren Elizabeth Yeany, Solomon Shaffer and Mary Shaffer, children of my daughter Catherine Ann, deceased, one share; my son Solomon Stahlman one share; my son Isaac Stahlman one share; and to my grandchildren Ezra Thompson Furlong and Elsy Claretta Furlong, children of my daughter Maria, deceased, one share. This share of my said grandchildren Ezra Thompson and Elsy Claretta Furlong to be paid by my Executors herein before named  and to be the same Trust invested for the use and in Trust for my said grandchildren in some good and safe securities on interest until they respectively reach the age of twenty one years, and at such time to be equally divided between them and the said grandchildren.

And lastly, I nominate and appoint Christian Brinker and my son Solomon Stahlman Executors of this my last Will and Testament.

In Witness whereof, I, Jacob Stahlman, the Testator, hereto this Will, set my hand and seal , this 5th day of January, AD 1872.

Jacob Stahlman

Codicil:

I, Jacob Stahlman, the within named Testator, do hereby make and publish this Codicil to be added to my Last Will and Testament bearing date the  fifth day of January AD 1872, in manner following to wit.

Whereas in my said will I have given and bequeathed unto my son Isaac Stahlman in trust for my grandchildren Ezra Thompson Furlong and Elsy Claretta Furlong, children of my daughter Maria, deceased, who was intermarried with John Furlong, the sum of One Thousand Dollars to be paid to the said trustee Isaac Stahlman, My Executor, in said will named, and the said One Thousand Dollars, with the accrued interest, as in said will ______, after deducting the costs of the Trusteeship, to be equally divided between my said grandchildren Erza Thompson Furlong and Elsy Clarette Furlong at their arriving respectively at the full age of  twenty one years.

And, whereas my said granddaughter Elsy Claretta Furlong, has since deceased now it is my will and I hereby declare my will to be that my soon Isaac Stahlman, the Trustee as above stated, shall give to my said grandson Ezra Thompson Furlong, upon his arriving at the full age of twenty one years, the share of One Thousand Dollars, the said Elsy Claretta would have received had she survived to the age of twenty one years. That is to say that it is my will that said Ezra Thompson Furlong shall receive the whole of the said One Thousand Dollars with the accrued interest less the costs of the Trusteeship upon his arriving at the full age of Twenty one Years. Further, it is my express will that if the said Ezra Thompson Furlong should die  before arriving at the age of twenty one years then the said One Thousand Dollars with the accrued interest shall forthwith be divided between my following named children and grandchildren as follows: 

To my daughter, Angeline Reinard one share, to my three grandchildren; Elizabeth Yeany, Solomon Shaffer and Mary Freis, children of my daughter Catherine Shaffer, deceased, one share. To my son Solomon Stahlman one share, and to my son Isaac Stahlman one share; share and share alike in equal shares. My son Felix Stahlman having received his share in full is not to receive any of the above sum.

And whereas it is further provided in my said Will that as to all the rest of and residue of any personal estate of whatsoever nature and kind wheresoever situated and not in said will previously disposed of, after paying my debts, legacies, funeral expenses, and costs of settling my estate, I give and bequeath to my children and grandchildren (except Felix) including my said grandchildren Ezra Thompson Furlong and Elsy Claretta Furlong. Now the said Elsy Claretta Furlong having since deceased, It is my Will and I declare My Will to be that the said Ezra Thompson Furlong upon his arriving at the full age of twenty one years  shall have and receive additionally with his own share of the said inheritance above mentioned, as well as that the said  Elsy Claretta Furlong would have received had she lived to the age of twenty one year; provided, and it is my express will, that if said Ezra  should die before arriving at the full age of twenty one years, that his share of the estate above mentioned  devise shall forthwith by divided between my following named children and grandchildren share and share alike; to wit; my daughter Angeline Reinard one share, my three grandchildren Elizabeth Yeany and Solomon Shaffer and Mary Fries one share, the said three grandchildren being children of my daughter Catherine Shaffer deceased, Solomon Stahlman one share and Isaac Stahlman one share.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twelfth day of August in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Four.

  Jacob Stahlman

Jacob underlined "will", "Elsy" and "With his own" before signing. He died September 7, 1876

4. Last Will and Testament of John Stahlman

In The Name of God, Amen. I, John Stahlman, of Eldred Township, Jefferson County, Farmer, being of sound mind and  remaining memory, praised be God for same, and desirous to settle my worldly affairs while I have strength and capacity so to do, make and publish this My Last Will and Testament hereby making void all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made, and first and principally, I commit my soul unto the Hand of my Creator who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried at the discretion of my executors hereinafter named  and as to such worldly estate herewith if hath pleased God to interest me as I dispose of the same as follows:

The land I have gave unto my son, Lewis Stahlman, of my estate, shall be his share in full of my estate. Also, my son Daniel Stahlman, the land I gave to him shall be his share in full of my estate.

Also, Elizabeth Stahlman, now Weckerly, the land I gave her shall be her share in full of my estate.

Also, Catharine Stahlman, now Warner, the land I gave her shall be her share in full of my estate.

Also, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Judith Stahlman, now Carrell, two hundred and twenty five dollars to be paid as follows in five equal annual payments after my decease.

I also give and bequeath to my son Noah, the farm in Eldred Township, Jefferson County, containing one hundred and fifty acres, more or less, the farm he now lives on and the grist mill and threshing machine and all other articles necessary for farming that is on the farm or belongs to the farm.

Also, my son Noah shall pay to my daughter Judith one hundred dollars as follows commencing after my decease, twenty dollars per annum until the one hundred dollars is paid.

I also give and bequeath to my son Lafayette Stahlman the mill and the land containing one hundred thirty acres more or less and all that is on the premises that belongs to it, including horses and wagons and also the cattle; his to have. Also his to pay for twenty five dollars to Judith Carrell as follows  to be paid in six equal annual payments to commence after my decease .

Also, my son Lafayette is to keep his mother during her natural life, furnishing her in clothing and all necessities and find her a nurse if she should need one, and she is to have one cow and to have her choice of the cows, and also I give and bequeath to my beloved wife all household furniture, beds, bedding, cupboard, stoves and kitchen furniture; and I leave Lafayette my son to pay all my lawful debts after my decease.

And further, I do hereby nominate and appoint my son Lafayette Stahlman and John Summerville of Jefferson County, executors of this, My Last Will, hereby revoking and making void all former and other wills by me made heretofore at any time and declare this only to be my Last Will and Testament.

In witness whereof, I the said Testator, have to this my Last Will and Testament, set my hand and seal this 20th day of November, A.D. 1866.

John Stahlman

5. Last Will and Testament of Dewalt Stahlman

I, Dewalt Stahlman, of  Millcreek Township, County of Clarion and State of Pennsylvania, being of sound mind, memory, and understanding, do make and publish this, My Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and making void all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made.

First, I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Myrtle A. Myers, all my property, personal, real and mixed, upon the following conditions. 

I am to make my home with her and she is to keep and provide for me the remainder of my life and six months after my death to pay unto my son Charles Clinton Stahlman, the sum of  Two Hundred Dollars; and unto my son Henry E. Stahlman the sum of Two Hundred Dollars from which if not paid to me prior to my death are to be taken amounts paid by me as endorser on note for him with other debts owed by him to me; and unto my daughter Maggie J. Frost the sum of Two Hundred Dollars; and unto the children of my son John C. Stahlman; the sum of Two Hundred Dollars, share and share alike.

And it is further conditioned that before the heirs Myrtle A. Myers, Charles Clinton Stahlman, Henry E. Stahlman, Maggie J. Frost, and the children of John C. Stahlman shall receive above bequests they shall purchase and place at the head of the graves of myself and wife a suitable grave stone or monument as a memorial to us both to be paid for them share and share alike.

I do hereby make, constitute and appoint C. C. Stahlman and James A. Myers to be executors of this my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof, I, Dewalt Stahlman, the testator above named have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal the 3rd day of April in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Twelve.

Dewalt Stahlman

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named  Dewalt Stahlman as and for his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names at his request as witnesses thereto in presence of the said testator and of each other.

J. A. Myers    S. A. Hindman

Sworn and subscribed before me this 17th day of May A. D. 1912     F. D. Hays, Register, Clarion County

Dewalt died at Millcreek Township, Clarion County, on May 14, 1912, about 8 am, as sworn to by J. A. Myers to F. D. Hays. J. A. Myers was present when Dewalt died,  according to the sworn affidavit  

6. Last Will and Testament of Gabriel Stahlman

On September the 30th, AD 1874, I, Gabriel Stahlman, in sound mind, agree that the said John S. Shaffer and Isaac Stahlman shall settle my estate after my decease. At the first place, I agree to give my daughter Sarah Himes Seven Hundred Dollars and she has received one hundred dollars already. And my daughter Charolotte seven hundred dollars and already paid one hundred and thirteen dollars, and my daughter Caroline Shaffer seven hundred dollars and already paid one hundred. And my daughter  Harriet seven hundred dollars and paid two hundred dollars and the balance left of the money is to keep my wife Elizabeth and after her decease the balance is all to be divided equally among the children, Aaron Stahlman, Isaac Stahlman, Columbus Stahlman, Franklin Stahlman, Sarah Himes, Charlotte Shaffer, Caroline Shaffer, Harriet Swab. We each of us agree to settle the estate.

C. Stahlman

John S. Shaffer

I. Stahlman

Isaac Stahlman Due for a note of $ 47.00.  Levi Swab Due for a note of $ 208.00. John A. ??? Due for a note for $90.00, Charles Burnham $200.00, France Zonger $90.00, A. J.  Smothers $??, John Zinger $140.00 , J. A. Shelly $200.00, James Caan $3500.00, H. Hollden $??, James M. ?? $100.00, David Swab $1075.00, A. J. Grover, $435.00, John Grover $414.00, Peter Grover $120.00, Total to collect $4459.00 .

September the 30 AD 1874, and Isaac agrees to let the house and the lots free from incumberance? for his parents as long as they live and after all the house furniture is sold the house will fall back to Isaac. Agreed by us

J. P. Stahlman

Gabriel Stahlman

Witness

John S. Shaffer

Columbus Stahlman