Last Will & Testament of Michael Hess
Transcribed by Steven Matthew Hahn, 8 April 2009
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In the name of God Amen
I Michael Hess of Union Township Lebanon County and State of Pennsylvania being of sound mind memery and understanding but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do make and publish this my last will and Testament in manner following to wit: First it is my will and I order that all my just debts and funeral expenses be duly paid out of my estate as soon as conveniently can be after my decease, Item, I give and bequeath unto my beloved Son Michael Hess and to his heirs and assigns in fee all that the plantation or tract of land on which I now live Situate in the Township of Union aforesaid being bounded on the East by lands of George Gerberich on the South by John Gerberich on the West by Frederick Bisener and on the North by land of Henry Shuey containing twenty five acres be the same more or less together with all the improvements and buildings thereon erected and being Subject to the reservations herein after mentioned and I charge my said Michael the sum of Eleven Hundred Dollars for the same but he shall have the right to keep all the personal property and he is to pay (being Eleven hundred dollars) to be paid in the following manner viz To my Son Simon One Hundred dollars and to my Son John One Hundred dollars and to Daughter Eliza Two Hundred dollars and to my Daughter Amanda Two Hundred dollars and to my Son Samuel Five Hundred dollars, This is not to be paid till after my beloved wife is dead then is to commence and the first year to pay Simon Fifty dollars the next year to pay John Fifty dollars and third year Eliza Fifty dollars and the fourth year Amanda Fifty dollars and the fifth year Samuel Two Hundred and fifty dollars and then commence again at the oldest and so on till all is paid except Samuel is to have his on two Shares and he is to give my Son Samuel 1 Horse Two Beds and Bedsteads and Some other House Furniture. Item, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary as much of my household and kitchen furniture as she may want for her own use and my Son Micheal is to keep with him my beloved wife Mary as long as she shall live and use her well he must keep her in an ordinary and Peaceable condition as long as She shall live and She can use the house all She need for her own use and my beloved Son Michael is to give her good boarding and all that is necessary for her and She shall Stay here as long as She live and my Son Michael shall have all the Personally Property except what Samuel is to have after my wife is dead, And lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my Son Michael Hess and Jacob Weidle to be the executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal the Seventeenth day of July in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and sixty one,
Signed Sealed and declared by the Said
Testator as his last will and testament Michael x Hess
in the presence of us who have at his his mark
request signed the same as Witnesses
in the Presence of Each other
Cyrus Bender