Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1876 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVIII. Conrad Weiser's Will. His Possessions. His Sons And Daughters. His Posterity. Conrad Weiser had been of a prolific ancestry, and was himself the father of fifteen children, eight of whom seem to have died in their minority years. His seven surviving ones, made mention of in his last Will and Testament, were: Philip, Frederick, Samuel, Benjamin, Peter, Anna Maria and Margaret. Their father having died, possessed of nearly one thousand acres of land, which were by divise shared out among themselves, the sons naturally took to farming as their principal employment. The manner in which he disposed of his possessions, and to whom, we can best gather from his Will: "In the name of God. Amen. I, Conrad Weiser, of the town of Reading, in the county of Berks, in the Province of Pennsylvania, gentleman, being of perfect health of body and of sound and disposing mind and memory (blessed be God for the same), yet considering the uncertainty of human life and desirous to quit myself as far as 1 may of the cares of this world, do make this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all other and former wills by me heretofore made. Imp-imis. I do will and order that such debts as may be owing by me at the time of my decease with my funeral expenses be paid by my executors hereinafter named as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. Item. I give, devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Ann Eve, the messuage and lot whereon I now live in the town of Reading, to hold to her, my said wife, during the term of her natural life, and after my said wife's decease I will and order the said messuage and lot to be sold by my executors or the survivor or survivors of them for the best price can be ' had for the same, and the...