I have tried to transcribe below the last will and testament of John Rice, son of Frederick Rice and Anna Catherine Lauffer.  I have modernized the script by changing case of some words for easier reading. The top left corner of the second page was not legible, but since it deals with the formality of the witnessing of the will by Simon and Jeremiah Truxal in each other's presence and in the presence of John Rice, etc, it is not important to the distribution of the assets of the estate and identification of his heirs.

I wonder if this farm is land previously owned by John's father, Frederick Rice, and perhaps even by John's grandfather, Barnhart Rice (Bernt Reis).

- Gary Rice

Will of John Rice

In the name of God amen I, John Rice, of the Township of Unity, County of Westmoreland and State of Pennsylvania, being in a reasonable health of body and of sound and disposing mind and memory do make and declare this to be my last will and testament in manner following that is to say I order that all my just Debts and funeral expenses and charges of moving this my will be in the first place fully paid and Satisfied and after payment theirof and every part thereofs I live and bequeath to my daughter, Sarah Rice, my entire personal property which may remain at my decease. Also the farm I now reside, township and county aforesaid, by paying to the legal heirs as follows one year after my death; one hundred and twenty five dollars to my son Thomas Rice. One year following my daughter Sarah Rice shall retain in farm one hundred and twenty five dollars.

Third year one hundred and twenty five dollars my son. Simon Rice.. Fourth year one hundred and twenty five dollars to my son, William Rice. Fifth year one hundred twenty five dollars to my son John Rice's heirs, sixth year one hundred & twenty five dollars to my daughter, Elizabeth Bidinger, seventh year one hundred & twenty five dollars to my daughter, Mary Lontz's heirs. Henry Rice my son has received from my son Frederick Rice his full interest in said farm. I bequeath to my son Henry Rice in addition to his former sale eight years after my death five dollars to nephew John Rice as the time he arrives at the age of twenty one years of age the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars a full share for my son Frederick Rice and Henry Rice which was purchased by my son Frederick Rice. No interest to be added on any of the sums until its maturity.

[= top left corner of will missing in my copy - next part says "is Nottzer Ccicutors" ?? maybe "and appointed executors"? ] of this my last will and testament [missing words "refs"] Wereof I the Said Testator John Rice have to this last Will and testament set my hand and seal the 10th day of February AD 1873.

                                                               His                   ~~~~~

                                                       John  X  Rice ~~~~ |  Seal  |

                                                              Mark                 ~~~~~

Signed Sealed Published and declared by the said testator John Rice as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have here subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto.

     Witnesses                                                                                              His

          Simon F. Truxal                                                                        John  X  Rice

          Jeremiah C. Truxal                                                                          Mark

Westmoreland County ss.

                                      Before J. M. Laird Registered in and for said County personally came S. F. Truxell and J. C. Truxell the subscribing witnesses to the above aforegoing Will of John Rice Dec'd who upon their solemn oaths do say that they were present and saw the said testator sign his name to the end thereof by making his mark & heard him publish & declare the same to be his last will & testament at the time of so doing he was of sound mind memory and understanding that they signed their names thereto as his witnesses at his request in his presence & in the presence of each other.

                                                           )                                          Simon F. Truxal

Sworn and subscribed this 5th day of   )                                          Jeremiah C. Truxal

March A D 1873 Before me                )

                    J. M. Laird Reg               )

                                                           )

- Transcribed by Gary Rice