Wills: Henry Koons, 1855: Bedford Twp, Bedford Co, PA

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kerinkh@bedford.net

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Henry Koontz was a son of Adam and Mary Counts/Koons/Koontz.  Henry was born
Henry was born Oct 4, 1765 and died February 1, 1855.  Henry was married to O'della
Smouse, daughter of John and Mary Dority Wolfram Smouse. Came to Providence
Township in 1785 - born in Virginia. Listed in the Bedford County tax rolls in 1785 as
having 100 acres of land in Colerain Township.

Henry located in the wilds of Bedford County, PA, having cut a road through the forest
until he came to a place which suited him. He lived in his wagon for one year, by which
time he had cleared a plot, erected buildings, and was ready for permanent location.

Henry was originally buried at St. John's in Bedford. However, when the church was
expanded his grave and other's from the Koontz family were moved to St. Pauls (near
Cessna) as they had donated the land that St. Pauls was built on. He died in the 90th year
of his life.

Bedford County Will Book page 143 - 147. Will of Henry Koons, Sr.

Will of Henry Koontz

I Henry Koontz of Bedford Township, County of Bedford and State of Pennsylvania,
being old but of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of the times
when it may please Providence to call me hence do make and publish this my last will
and testament hereby revoking any and all wills heretofore by me made.

1.  First, it is my desire that the Expenses necessarily incurred for my funeral be paid by
my Executors hereafter named out of my personal property.

2.  Secondly, it is my will and desire that all my just debts by me owing at the time of my
death be also paid by my said Executors out of my Estate as soon as they can after my
decease.

3.  Thirdly, It is my will that the bedsteads, bedding and books, belonging to me, be
equally divided among all my children, the child of my daughter Polly who was
intermarried with John silver, to receive their Mothers share.  The remainder of my
personal estate I direct my Executors to have valued and appraised and disposed of by
vendue, as soon after my death as my Executors think proper and the proceeds equally
divided among all my children, my daughter Pollys children receiving her share.

4.  Fourthly, I will and bequeath to my son Henry the Mansion farm on which I now
reside, which I value at four thousand five hundred dollars, and which he my said son
Henry is to take at the said valuation for himself, his heirs and assigns forever - the said
sum of four thousand five hundred dollars to be paid in the following manner viz

First, two hundred and fifty dollars to be retained by my son Henry as his share of the
first payment due on the place.

Second, Two hundred and fifty dollars to be paid by my son Henry to my daughter Eve
intermarried with Philip Mann two years after my decease.

Thirdly, Two hundred and fifty dollars to be paid by my Henry to my son John Koontz
his heirs or assigns three years after my decease.

Fourthly, Two hundred and fifty dollars to be paid to the children of my daughter Polly
who intermarried with John Silver four years after my decease.  The said legacy to
remain in the hands of my Executors until the said children shall respectively arrive at
the age of twenty one years my Executors (?) to have the money first (?) interest as soon
as it becomes due and to remain so until the children arrive at the age before mentioned.

Fifthly, Two hundred and fifty dollars to be paid to my daughter Elizabeth, intermarried
with Peter Winegardner five years after my decease.

Sixthly, Two hundred and fifty dollars to be paid to my son David Koontz, his heirs or
assigns, six years after my decease.

Seventh, Two hundred and fifty dollars to my son George, his heirs or assigns seven years
after my decease.

Eighthly, Two hundred and fifty dollars to be paid to my daughter Sally Yont,
intermarried with Jacob Yont eight years after my decease.

Ninthly, Two hundred and fifty dollars to be paid to my daughter Odilla nine years after
my decease.  No interest to be paid in the foregoing payments until they become due. The
second and last payments to be made by my son Henry on the place are to be made in the
same order and Succession the first are required to be made.  The second payment to
Philip Mann or my daughter Eve to be made one year after the payment made to Odilla
my youngest Daughter.  My said son Henry retaining two hundred and fifty dollars
himself and is to continue the payments of two hundred and fifty dollars to the heirs
heretofore and to until all are paid. Managing the share of each heir out of the farm five
hundred dollars no interest to be paid by Henry until the said payments become due.
Leaving another farm, called the Ripley Farm, I value at two thousand five hundred
dollars, and if any of my sons with to take the said farm at the said valuation it is my will
that the said two thousand five hundred dollars be equally paid by the person taking it
(the farm) to the rest of my children in payments of one hundred and fifty dollars a year
in the same manner my son Henry is required to make his payments.  If non of my sons
are willing to take the said farm at the above price, it is my will that my Executors sell it
and the proceeds arising from the said sale be equally divided among all my children
herein before mentioned.

Tenthly, Catherine Myers who has resided with me for a long time, has been of much
service and attended to my interest and I desire to make one provision for her comfort
and maintenance during the remainder of her natural life.  It is therefore, my will that my
son Henry retain five hundred dollars in his hands, to be kept out of the share of each heir
arising from the real estate equally, during the lifetime of said Catherine and pay her the
interest thereof annually, after the death of said Catherine the five hundred dollares to be
equally divided among the children herein before named.  And further the said Catherine
is to have a mare to use when she wishes to ride, she is also to have one cow of ther
choice from among mine, my son Henry to furnish food for the mare and cow.  The said
Catherine to reside in that part of my house she now occupies - it is my desire and will
that so long as my daughter Odilla remain single she reside with Catherine Myers as she
now does.  My son Henry to furnish her, my daughter with necessaries except clothing.

Eleventhly, it is my will that my Executors pay to my youngest daughter Odilla fifty
dollars out of the proceeds of the sale of the personal estate, if so much remains after the
personal estate the said fifty dollars to come out of the real estate, each of the heirs
paying and equal amount to make up the fifty dollars.  My meaning is that Odilla is to
have fifty dollars more than any of the rest.  It is further my will that should it become
necessary for my Executors to make sale of the Ripley farm, I hereby authorize and
empower them, my sole Executors to convey the same in fee simple to the purchaser or
purchasers and lastly I do hereby attest and appoint Philip Mann and Peter Winegardner
my sons in law and my son Henry Koontz, Executor of this my last will and testament.
Signed sealed and declared in the presence of
(?)Martin, Hiriam Lentz, Samuel Brown

January 24 (or 28) 1848 as my son-in-law P. Mann intends leaving this county I do
hereby constitute and appoint my son David Koontz one of the Executors of this my last
will and testament.
Witnesses:
Samuel Brown
Hiriam Lentz

Bedford County SS
Personally appeared before the register of the probate of will in said County Hiriam Lentz
and Samuel Brown two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of
writing who being duly sworn doth depose and say that they were present and saw the
testor Henry Koons sign his name to the same and heard him pronounce and declare said
instrument of writing to be his last will and testament that he desired them to sign their
names as witnesses thereto and at the time of so doing, he the said testator was of sound
mind, memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief, Sworn and
subscribed this 24th day of February A.D. 1855. Before D. Washabaugh, Register.

Be it remembered that on the 24th day of February AD 1855 Letters of Testamony were
issued to Peter Winegardner, Henry Koontz, and David Koontz Executors in the
foregoing will named they having been first duly sworn according to law.

D. Washabaugh, Register