Will of Benjamin Reeder, 1828: Northumberland County File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Joan Berkey. Joan123B@aol.com USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. Will of Benjamin Reeder written May 24, 1828 Whereas I, Benjamin Reeder of the township of Augusta in the County of Northumberland and state of Pennsylvania, being advanced in years and finding myself being weak in body but of sound and well disposing mind and memory for which I am thankful to God the Grantor and giver of all mercies and favors, and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life do make and ordain this my last will and testament, touching my temporal estate which kind providence hath bestowed on me. It is my desire that after my decease my body be decently buried in my family burying ground and all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid by my executors as soon as conveniently may be. The residue of my estate I dispose of in manner following to wit. Item, I devise and bequeath unto my son Levi a part of a square of land at the west side of my plantation, it being the south side of the road, the road shall be the line beginning at my east line and extending eastward along the road to a marked line of land surveyed for my daughter Elinor and to extend southward to Jacob Yordy's line of land excepting as hereinafter described three lots or parts thereof out of it, to wit: a small house and lot of ground beginning at the southwest line corner of my plantation and to extend northward along my west line to the public road there to corner and from there eastward along said road twenty perches then to corner, from thence southward parallel with my west line to extend to Jacob Yordy's line there to corner, from thence along said Yordy's line to the place of beginning, supposed to be nine acres by the same more or less excepted. Likewise a lot of meadow ground on the south side of the road facing my house, beginning at the road even with the southeast corner of my barn and to extend southward to the stone supposed to be eight perches be it more or less for a corner and from thence eastward to a white oak corner near a spring supposed to be twenty five perches be the same more or less from there northward to a marked chestnut tree by the road supposed to be eight perches be the same more or less then to corner, from thence along the road to the place of beginning supposed to contain one acre and one quarter be the same more or less excepted. Likewise my burying ground as follows: beginning at the northwest corner post of the fence, now round said burying ground, southward and eastward six perches each way there to corner and from thence eastward and southward six perches each way so as to form a right angle square in such a manner as to include the burying ground for a public burying place with free passage to and from the same through bars or gates for funerals. The remainder of the above mentioned and described square of land heriditments and appurtenances unto him (my son Levi Reeder), his heirs and assigns forever, upon his paying the sum of twenty-five dollars within one year after my decease to my executors for the use of my estate and further it is my will that a lane be kept open to the spring and watering place for the use and convenience of those who may hereafter be in possession of my other adjoining lands and the foregoing bequests, to be considered in full for my said son Levi's share of my real estate and also a full compensation for all services rendered by him to me, and in full for all demands that he may hereafter exhibit against my estate. Item, I give and bequeath unto my son Henry a part of the west end of my plantation, being the north side of the road, to extend from George Haupt's line eastward along the road to a marked line of land surveyed for my daughter Eleanor, and including the buildings and also including the lot of meadow ground on the south side of the road hereinbefore described and excepted from son Levi Reeder's part, with the hereditiments and appurtenances, to him, his heirs and assigns forever upon his paying to my executors for the use of my estate the sum of seventy-five dollars within one year after my decease. The above devise to be considered as my son Henry's full share of my real estate and a full compensation for all services rendered by him to me, and for all demands he may hereafter exhibit against my estate. Item, I consider my son Jesse to have received his full share of my estate. Item, I consider my daughter Elizabeth, wife of William Campbell, to have received her full share of my real estate. Item, I consider my daughter Deborah, widow of Obediah Campbell to have received her full share of my real estate. Item, I give and devise unto my son James his heirs and assigns forever all the following described piece of land beginning at Jesse Reeder's old pine corner thence a parallel line with my daughter Elinor's line to Jacob Yordy's line thence along the same eastward to the corner thence northward by land late Obadiah Campbell's to the corner, then westward by land of Jesse Reeder to the place of beginning supposed to contain about thirty two acres be the same more or less, hereditatments and appurtenances to be considered as his full share of my real estate and as full compensation for all services by him rendered to me and for all demands he may hereafter exhibit against my estate. Item, I give and devise unto my daughter Elinor, wife of Joseph Lytle, her heirs and assigns forever all the following describing piece of land: Beginning at a stone corner thence by land devised to Levi Reeder and Henry Reeder north 9 3/4 west 183 perches to a post, thence by land of Martin Reaker north 73 E 48P to a post, thence by land of Jesse Reeder south 9 3/4 E 118 P to a post and thence by land of Jacob Yordy's south 78 W 48 P to the place of beginning containing fifty-five acres one hundred and four perches, be the same more or less, hereditaments and appurtenances as her full share of my real estate, and for all services rendered to me by her or her husband and also in full for all demands they may exhibit against my estate hereafter. Item, I give and bequeath unto Susan Haas (now Roadarmel), Ann Haas, Magdalena Haas and Jane Howe (they having been my house [transcriber's note--the remainder of this has not been included in the will book]) the sum of twenty dollars to be equally divided amongst the four to be paid to them severally or to their heirs, by my executors within one year after my decease. Item, I give and bequeath unto my three daughters heretofore named, all my household and kitchen furniture including the kitchen dresser (the clock excepted) share and share alike. Item, I give and bequeath unto my son Henry my clock and case, and further I have reserved a lot of land between the lots of James and Elinor's containing about six acres and the small house and lot reserved or excepted from Levi Reeder's containing 9 acres more or less if said lots be not disposed of in my lifetime. I do here impower and direct my executors hereinafter named to sell the said lots at public sale or outcry for the best prices that can be gotten for the same within one year after my decease for the use of my estate to convey the said lots to the purchaser or purchasers thereof, and also to sell all my other estate real or personal not hereinafter mentioned or disposed of. And the residue or remainder of my estate (if any be) to be equally divided amonst my five children, to wit, Elizabeth, Jesse, Deborah, James and Elinor or their legal representatives, share and share alike. And further it is my will that if any of my children or legatees bring any demands against my estate or any claims of any description whatsoever (obligations excepted) the amount so claimed shall be deducted out of their respective shares of my estate. And lastly, I nominate and appoint my trusty friends Abia John and Samuel Bloom to be the executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills by me before made, and pronouncing this and no other to be my last will and testament. Signed Benjamin Reeder written 5/24/1828, proved 2/24/1829 witnesses: Aron Wilkison and Henry Misler