Wills: Abstracts of Schwenk Wills and Administrations 1682-1834: Montgomery/Berks Cos, PA

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These wills were abstracted under the direction of Ellwood Roberts, Norristown, 
Pennsylvania, and completed in 1911.  This is part of the collection of the 
Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania which is housed at the Historical Society 
of Pennsylvania.  Copies of these abstracts were made available to various 
libraries in Pennsylvania and microfilm copies made by the Genealogical Society
of Utah (LDS). 


                Pennsylvania Wills & Adms, 1682-1834


BERNHARD, CHARLES, Longswamp.  Berks Co
July 21, 1794 - August 28, 1794.
Provides for wife Anna Appolonia.  All real estate to be sold if none of the children 
are inclined to keep it, and money divided among all children, viz:  Michael, Jacob, 
Maria wife of Philip MICHAEL, Maria Elisabeth BERNHARD, Catharine wife of 
George SCHWENK, Justina BERNHARD and Eve BERNHARD.  
Exrs:  Son Jacob and friend Henry HOFFMAN.   
Wits:  Isaac SIEGFRIED and Paul GROSSCUP.

SCHWENK, GEORGE, Albany.  Berks Co
January 22, 1802 - April 30, 1802.
Provides for wife Maria Catharine.  All estate to oldest son John paying £300 to my 3 
children Magdalena SCHWENK, Peter and another not named.  
Exrs: Wife Maria Catharina and John KNEPPER.  
Wits: George GERHART and John George SCHWENCK.

MILLER, HENRY, Albany.  Berks Co
September 22, 1821 - November 5, 1821.
Provides for wife Magdalena.  Directs that his 2 boys shall have plantation in Albany 
which he has in  company with Peter SCHWENK and George SCHWENK.  Other children not 
mentioned.  
Exrs: Joseph MILLER, a brother.  
Wit: John MILLER and Christian CREUTZ (who being a drunken worthless man did not appear). 
{Note by contributor:  Magdalena Millerıs maiden name was Schwenk, daughter of George 
& Maria Catherine Reichelderfer Schwenk.)

SCHWENCK, BALTHASAR, Maxatawny. 
February 25, 1764.  
Adm. to Anna Margaret SCHWENCK, the widow.

SCHWENCK, JOHN NICHOLAS, Albany. Berks Co
September 21, 1782 - November 30, 1782. 
To dau. Christina SCHWENCK, who waited on me in sickness, a cow, etc. Estate to be 
divided in equal shares, among sons and daus of whom John George, and "daus who are of 
age," viz, Catharina and Elizabeth, are named. The rest that are not of age "will be 
left to the discretion of the Magistrates."  
Er: John STRASSER.  
Wit: Peter KNEBBUR and Nicholas STRASSER.

RITH (READ), MICHAEL, Tulpehocken. Berks Co 
Will proved October 11, 1754 by Jacob ARTZ, Peter 
RITH and Samuel WEISER.  Letters to Maria Barbara RITH, the widow and Nicholas 
SCHWENGEL, Jr., the exrs. named.   The will in German, not recorded:
RITH or READ, MICHAEL, Tulpehocken.  March 15, 1754 - October 11, 1754.
To wife Maria Barbara, all estate during widowhood.  To eldest son Johan Caspar, that 
piece of land at Swatara, containing 150 acres at £100.  To sons John Michel and 
Daniel, the plantation I now live on with 202 acres thereunto belonging at £600 
valuation.  Dau. Anna Catrina KATERMANIN shall have even share with rest of children 
except £70, for the land I signed to her husband Jacob KATERMAN, they helping the 
children she had by her first husband George ANSPACH. The children of December'd. dau. 
Margaret wife of Jacob EMRICH, viz, Andreas, Catrina and Elizabeth, to have their 
mothers equal share of estate. Remainder to all children, viz, John Casper, John 
Michael, Daniel, Catrina KATTERMAN December'd. dau. Margrets children, Anna Maria 
ROSIN, Anna Madlena HAFFNER, Elizabeth DEIS and Maria Barbara SCHWINGEL.   
Exrs: wife Maria Barbara and son in law Nicklaus SCHWENGEL.  
Wit: Jacob ARTZ, Peter RITH, Saml. WEISER.  Translation by Conrad WEISER.

SWENK, JOHN, Albany. Berks Co
March 7, 1806.  
Adm. to John STRASSER, an uncle.

SWENK, JOHN GEORG, Albany. Berks Co 
May 18, 1819.   
Adm. Jacob RIEBGE, friend.  George SWENK renouncing.

REISS, MICHAEL, Tulpehocken. Berks Co
August 20, 1762 - June 30, 1766.
To son John £20 and all my English books.  Exrs to sell land in Bethel Twp, containing 
200 acres, and House and  lot in Reading.  Provides for wife Anna Maria.  To son John, 
my plantation and several tracts of land in Tulpehocken, containing 466 acres on which 
I now dwell and paying to my daus, Catherine, Magdalen, Anne, Mary and Eve and such 
child or children as I May hereafter get £1200 to be divided.  Remainder to be divided 
among above named children.  John SCHAFFER, Michael NEFF Jr. and Peter ANSPACH, 
guardians of children.   
Exrs: Nicholas SCHWENGEL, Jr., Valentine UMRAH, and son John. 
Wit: Peter LEISS, John TRAUTMAN and Robert GORDON.

SCHWINCK, CHRISTOPHER, Albany. 
July 16, 1765 - March 25, 1767.
To George, my plantation whereon I dwell in Albany. And all personal estate he 
promising under his hand and seal to maintain his father and mother Susanna till their 
end and also to pay, after parents' death, to his 5 bros and sisters as follows:  To 
the heirs of sisters Christina and Mary, £7.5.  To bros Henry, Nickell and Hans Adam, 
£7.5 each.  Caveat filed by eldest son Henry and afterwards withdrawn.  Letters to 
Susanna Barbara, the widow.  Wit: Johannes HEYN, Jacob GERHARDT, Henry REICHELSDORFFER.


REICHELSDORFFER, FREDERICK, Albany. 
September 20, 1759 - November 13, 1759. 
Wife Christina to have the place, during widowhood and then equally divided among the 
4 children of whom only son John Adam is named. Bro Henry and Andrew HAGEBACH to take 
care of wife and children. December 1, 1760 Letters to Henry NIERHUT and wife Christ
ina who was the widow of Test.  Wit: Daniel SHUEMAKER, Henry SWENCK.

TROXEL, MICHAEL. Gwynedd. Phila. Co. Yeoman.  
September 8, 1772. October 1, 1772.  P.310.
Wife: Ann Margaret. Children: Juliana, John, Ann Mary, Nicholas, Margart, Magdalena, 
Peter, Catherine, Jacob, Henry, Michael, Christian, Ann. Nephew: John Troxel. Brother: 
Nicholas.   Execs.: son John Troxel, nephew John Troxel. Witnesses: Martin Swenk, Me
lchior Wagener.

DANEHOWER, ABRAHAM. Gwynedd. ---. 
June 13, 1789. 1.191
To wife Catharine, key and chest, 1/4 part of fruit, maintenance from son Henry during 
life. to son George, maintenance. To son Henry, farm, he paying to his brothers and 
sisters, 450pds. To church in Whitpain, income of 5 pds. If a school house be erected 
by church in Gwynedd, income of 5 pds. Execs: Wife Catharine, son Abraham, John Swenk. 
Wit: Stephen Bloom, Jacob Swenk. 

HOOT, CONRAD. Gwynedd.  
June 16, 1790. August 28, 1790. 1.230
To wife Catharine, and son Henry and daughter Mary equal shares after real and 
personal estate shall be sold.  
Execs: Wife Catharine, Jacob Heister. 
Wit: Jacob Schwenk, George Gassinger, Anthony Heght.

SWENK, MARTIN. Gwynedd, Co. of Phila. Yeoman.  
January 6, 1783. March 30, 1784. S.444.
Children: Rosina [Wife of Henry Bockheimer], Elizabeth [Wife of Daniel Dubbs], Ann 
Mary [Wife of George Heist], Jacob, Mathias, Henry.  Grandchildren: Children of 
Daughter Rosina by her first husband, Mathias Ox, decd. 
Exec: Daniel Dubbs, George Heist.  
Wit: Melchior Wagener, Daniel Bloom.  Codicil: Signed 8 mo. 7, 1783. 
Wit: Daniel Bloom, Mathias Boss.

OX, MATHIAS. Upper Milford. Northampton Co. Blacksmith.  
January 22, 1771. 14 Arpil 1773. P.395.
Wife: Ann Mary. 
Children: Mathias, Adam, Leonard, Jacob, Elizabeth, Anna, Catherina. 
Son in law: Jacob Dillinger.  
Execs.: Mathias Ox, Jacob Dillinger. 
Witnesses: Melchior Wagener, Martin Schwenk.

KLINE, ANN SYBILLA. Lower Salford, Phila. Co. Widow of John Isaac Kline. 
January 2, 1775. April 29, 1775.  Q.134.
Children Richard, Gabriel (Execs.), Jacob, Mary (wife of Leonard Melchior), Margaret 
(wife of Jacob Button) and Ann Sybilla (wife of John Yerger). 
Witnesses: Nicholas Schwenk and Chas. Goss. 

KRAUSS, HENRY. Frederick.  
July 12, 1794. November 4, 1794. 1.427
To wife Molley, beds, bedsteads, utensils, 20 pds. and maintenance.  
Mulatto girl, Dolly to be free when she is of age and have freedom suit. 
All estate to be sold. Wife to have income of 300 pds. during widowhood, 
if she marry income of 100 pds. 
To George Swenck, 15 pds. To Henry Swenck, 10 pds. To Mary Swenck, 10 pds. 
Rem. to be divided into 4 shares. To children of sister Molly, 1 share. 
To sister Eva, wife of Jacob Swenck, 1 share. To sister Regina, wife of John Swenck, 1 share. 
To sister Margaret, wife of Peter Frederick, 1 share. 
Execs: Brothers in law John Swenck, George Swenck. 
Wit: George Yohn Sr., John Barkey, Daniel Krauss.

KRAUSS, VALENTINE. New Hanover.  
April 2, 1786. May 18, 1786. 1.87
To wife Elizabeth, furniture, beds &c. with use of house and her maintenance during 
widowhood. Farm to be sold. One hundred pds. to wife provided Martin Bechtell, her 
father or his heirs shall not demand the sum of money owing me. Rem. to be equally 
divided among wife and 4 children: John, Henry, Daniel and Jacob.  Execs: Brothers in 
law John Swenk, Jacob Shanz. Wit: Jacob Bechtell, Adam Brant, Leonhard Hartranft.

ROUTEBUSH, MICHAEL. Upper Hanover.  
April 21, 1798. February 25, 1799. 2.82
To wife Annamaria, 50 pds. and 18 pds. yearly, bed, &c. To son Michael, farm, 207 
acres, 90 perches, at valuation of 1000 pds. paid as follows: 300 pds. he to keep as 
purchase money; 300 pds. to remain until after wife's death, he to pay interest, 
remaining 400 pds. divided into 8 payments of 50 pds. each. To son Henry, 100 pds. To 
daughter Catharine, wife of Daniel Swenk, 100 pds. To son John, 100 pds. To son 
Michael, 100 pds. At wife's death, 300 pds. to be divided among 4 children. Personalty 
to be sold, 50 pds. given to wife, rem. divided into 4 parts among 4 children.  
Execs: Sons John and Michael. 
Wit: Daniel Yost, Andrew Yost, John Detwiler. 

DOTTERER, CONRAD. Frederick.  
March 20, 1777. May 12, 1801. 2.202
To wife Magdalena, interest of 300 pds. and maintenance during widowhood; if she marry 
to have interest of 150 pds., rem. to be divided among children. 
To son Jacob, 5 pds. 
Rem. divided among children and grandchildren: Jacob Conrad, John, Abraham, Catharine,  
Christian, Susanna, Elizabeth and Magdalena and children of son Christian, 
John and Catharine.  
Execs: George Swenck, Samuel Bartolat. 
Wit: Benjamin Snider, Daniel Boyer, Ludwig Gudller.

CROUS, MICHAEL, Frederick. 
December 4, 1794. January 15, 1798. 2.36
To son Michael, bed and maintenance. 
To grandchildren, 200 pds. equally, to be paid by son Daniel. 
To son Daniel, farm, 168 acres and personalty. 
To children of son George, December 20 pds. equally. 
To children of daughter Molly, December 20 pds. 
To children of daughter Elizabeth, December, 20 pds. 
To children of daughter Salome, December, 20 pds. 
To children of daughter Catharine, December, 20 pds. 
To grandson Philip Kern, 10 pds. 
Son Daniel to pay remaining 100 pds. to grandchildren equally.
To son Michael, home farm.  
Execs: Michael Crous, Abraham Swenk. 
Wit: Andrew Berger, Henry Sasseman. 

SWENCK, GEORGE. Frederick. 
March 21, 1803. 
Jacob Swenck, Abraham Markley, adms. 

SWENCK, JOHN. Frederick. 
March 21, 1803. 
Abraham Swenck, George Swenck, adms. 

WALT, GEORGE. Frederick. 
September 25, 1802. 
John Swenck, adm.

SWENK, NICHOLAS. Lower Salford.  
March 7, 1806. April 7, 1808. 3.18
To wife Anna Barber, 20 pds. and household goods, and 2 3/4 acres and 4 acres, 98 
perches, interest of 400 pds. To son George, farm, 150 acres at valuation of 800 pds. 
To son George, 100 pds. of valuation. To son Jacob, 100 pds. To granddaughters 
Elizabeth, wife of Abraham Markley, Mary, wife of Michael Wagner, Barbara, wife of 
John Ot, 100 pds. equally. To granddaughter Elizabeth, wife of John Zeigler, 100 pds. 
Interest of 200 pds. to sons: George, Jacob, and to children of daughter Elizabeth and 
granddaughter Elizabeth Zeigler, equally. To granddaughter Mary, of son George, cow, 
etc. Son George to provide maintenance for wife. To daughter Mary Magdalena, wife of 
Andrew Gample, interest of 200 pds. To grandson Martin, 5 pds. To sons George and 
Jacob, books. Rem. of estate to sons Jacob and George, 1/4 part each, and 
granddaughter Elizabeth, wife of Abraham Markley, Mary wife of Michael Wagner, 
Barbara, wife of John Ot, 1/4 part to granddaughter Elizabeth 1/4 part. Trustees; 
Jacob Rife, Sr.   
Execs: Sons George and Jacob. 
Wit: Michael Shoemaker, Samuel Harley,Isaac Kline.

GOUKLER, KYLIAN. Upper Salford. Co. of Phila. Inn holder. 
July 15, 1765. September 9, 1765. N.393.
Wife: Ana Margaret. Children: Jo Gurge, Jo Michael, Mary Elizabeth, Catherine, Jo 
Nicholas, Ann Margareth, Christiana, Barbara, John.   
Execs.: Ana Margareth Goukler, Nicholous Swenk. 
Witnesses: Daniel Price, Henry Moyer, Abraham Heidreich. 

SWENCK, JACOB.  Germantownship, Co. of Philadelphia.  Cordwainer.  
December 9, 1758.  January 10, 1759.
Wife:  Anne Mary [widow of Hanes Rudy Birge].  
Children:  Mary, Christina, John, Jacob, Rudy, Henry, Emanuel Birge, 
Anne Surber and Elizabeth Dottweiler.   
Exec:  Anne Mary Swenck, Charles Widderholt.  
Witnesses:  John Grotthouse, Michael Millenberger, Christian Lehman.  
Codicil:  December 28, 1758. 
Witnesses:  Michael Millenberger, Christian Lehman.

BOURDMAN, MOSES. Providence. 
May 29, 1792. 
Jacob Swenk, adm.

KRUP, MARY. Lower Salford. 
March 30, 1802. 
Jacob Krup, George Swenk, adms. 

DENIG, JACOB. Whitpain, Phila. Co. Yeoman.  
July 7, 1776. September 21, 1776. Q.344.
Wife: Anna Mary.   
Execs.: Anna Mary Denig, Nicholas Swenck (blacksmith).  
Witnesses: Paul Baur, Melchior Wagener.

HYNEMAN, JOHN.  Northern Liberties, City of Philadelphia.  
October 31, 1807.  November 16, 1809.  2.197.
To son William Hyneman, to dau. Mary Young wife of Francis Young, to dau. Elizabeth 
Swing wife of Thomas Swing, to dau. Sarah Hyneman.  Reported that son George is 
drowned at sea, no division of estate to be made until executors are convinced of his 
death.  Letters granted to William Hyneman.   
Exec:  Son William Hyneman and friend John Goodman, Junr. 
Wit.:  Charles Yetter, John Becker, R. Whitehead.

Swing, Michael. York Town Township.
May 12, 1781.  January 2, 1782.   
Children:  George, Michael and Margaret m. Lawrence Ettare.  
Executors:  Killian Small and Jacob Welshantz.  
 
Griffith Owen, of Hilltown, Yeoman.  
March 11, 1763.  Proved October 29, 1764.
2 Eldest Sons, Owen and Ebenezer, exrs. Son Levy, 14 acres in Hilltown bought of 
Thomas Phillips. Gd.son Griffith Owens, son of Owen. Only dau. Rachel Erwin. 
Jason Thomas, son of David Thomas, late of New Britain, Glover, Bro. Nicholas Owen.  
Wit: Henry Lewis, Lawrence Swink, Benjamin Griffith.

KLINE, JOHN. Upper Salford.  
December 20, 1787. November 20, 1792. 1.319
To wife Margareth, personalty, and interest of 200 pds. to be paid by son Jacob. To 
son Jacob, 300 pds. To children of first wife: Jacob, John, Mary, wife of William 
Swenk and Salome, wife of Adam Hitlebidle, 1 s. each. To daughter Catharine, wife of 
Alexander Jamison, 46 pds. 4 s. 6 d. After wife's death estate to be divided into 3 
shares: 1 share to daughter Catharine. 1 share to daughter Elizabeth, wife of Henry 
Croll. 1 share to daughter Susannah, wife of Jacob Gross.  
Execs: Wife Margareth, son in law Alexander Jamison. 
Wit: Christian Bryman, Benjamin Weiser, Henry Muhlenberg.

MOYER, GEORGE. Limerick. August 16, 1815. 
November 9, 1815. 4.160
To wife Catharine, use of house, and household goods, and maintenance etc. To son 
George, farm, 100 acres subject to the payment of $1200. To son Benjamin, 22 acres of 
land subject to the payment of 6 pds. per acre. To daughter Catharine, wife of George 
Swink, 500 pds. Rem. to wife. Rem. to 3 children: Catharine, George, and Benjamin, equally.  
Execs: Sons George and Benjamin. 
Wit: John Herstine, Peter Fry, and George Moyer.

BUTTERFOSS, MATTHIAS.  Germantown, Co. of Philadelphia.  Weaver.  
May 17, 1749/50.  June 3, 1749.  J.128.
Wife:  Magdalene.  Children:  Frederick, Barbara, Magdalene and Michael.  
Exec: Magdalene Butterfuss, Jacob Swank.  
Witnesses:  George Rex, John Tibbin, John Barge.

MILLER, BARBARA. Frederick.  
August 6, 1793. October 30, 1800. 2.176
To son Samuel, and daughter Fronica, wife of Abraham Shwenck, all estate equally.  
Exec: Son Samuel. Wit: Isaac Barkey, John Barkey, Sr.

HENDRICKS, JOHN. Limerick. 
July 4, 1803. September 2, 1803. 2.342
To wife Margaret, house, household goods, maintenance, of 125 pds.  
To son Peter, house, three tracks of land; 2 in Limerick, 123 acrs, 
the other one in Hanover, 10 acres, he to provide maintenance for wife and 
also 150 pds. to son Jacob, farm in Limerick, 48 acre. 
To daughter Mary Magdelena, wife of Jonathan Feadley, 200 pds. after 
deductions are made. Personalty to be sold and money to be divided among wife and 3 
children, at her death her share to be divided among 3 children.  
Execs: Sons Peter, Isaac Davis. 
Wit: Abraham Shwink, Benjamin Markley.

BRUNKHART, MARTIN. Lancaster Borough. Lancaster Co.
March 5, 1792      April 19, 1792 
Children: George, Christiana wife of John Swenck, Barbara wife of Jacob Diller, 
Elizabeth wife of John Sively, Eve wife of John Ween, Peter and Adam. 
Ex. John Ween and George Brunkhart.