Wills: Will of Henry Bell (1748); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

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LHTravelerkings@aol.com

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Will of Henry Bell

In the name of god Amen ye fourth day of March in the year of our Lord 1748 I 
Henry Bell of Amity Township in the County of Philadelphia, yeoman being very 
sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory Thanks be given unto God 
therefore calling unto mind the mortality of any body and knowing that it is 
appointed for all men once to dye do make and ordain this my Last Will and 
Testament. That is today principally and first of all I give and recommend my 
soul unto the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the 
earth to be buried in a Christian like manners at the discretion of my Executor 
nothing doubting but at the general resurrection, I shall receive the same again 
by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly estate wherewith I hath 
followed God to help me in this life I give devise and dispose of the same in 
the following manner and form --------- it is my will and I do order that the 
first all my just debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied 
Item I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth my dearly beloved wife the black horse, 
side saddle, the feather bed and bedding that is downstairs and two cows and the 
big iron pott and half the sheep and the negro woman time for five years, but if 
Elizabeth my wife marry after my decease then the said neager woman is at her 
own liberty the next day.
Item I give and bequeath unto my well beloved son John Bell the neager boy named 
York.  Item I give and bequeath unto my well beloved daughter Rachel the feather 
bed and bedding that is upstairs and 2 table clothes the little iron pott and 
the two little dishes and four plates.  Item I give and bequeath unto my well 
beloved daughter Hannah the chest of draws and napkins and the brass cittle.   
Item I give and bequeath unto my well beloved daughter Mary eight pounds and 
dishes and the rest of the plates.  Item I give and bequeath unto my well 
beloved son Amos Ten pounds.  Item I order 25 bushels of wheat to pay my debts.  
Item I give and bequeath unto Mary Henton the wife of William Henton the little 
neger boy named Joe.
Item I give unto my well beloved son Charles Bell five pounds.  Item I bequeath 
to my well beloved son Lawrence five pounds.  Item I give unto my son Jonathan 
five pounds.  I order my loven wife and son John executors.  Item I order the 
Plantation and the rest of movables to be sold and the money to be divided 
between all my first wife's children equally I do hear by utterly disallow 
revoke and disannull all and every former testament, wills, legacies and 
executor by me or any ways before this time named willed and bequeathed 
ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal the day and year above 
writing Henry Bell (his mark) (Seal) signed, sealed published, pronounced and 
declared by the said Henry Bell as his last will and testament in the presence 
of the subscribers Jonas Jones Searg. Hughes Philadelphia April 5th, 1748.  
Personally appeared Jonas Jones and Searg Hughes the witnesses to the foregoing 
will and the said Jones on his oathbound the said Searg on his solemn 
affirmation according to the law did declare they saw and heard Henry Bell the 
testor therein named sign, seal, publish and declare the same will for and as 
his last will and testament and that at the doing thereof he was of sound mind 
memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge confirm
Wm Plumsted Reg. Genl.
Be it remembered that on the 5th day of April 1748 the last will and testament 
of Henry Bell decd was proved in due form of law and probates and letters 
Testament were granted to Elizabeth Bell and John Bell Executor on the testament 
named being first qualified well and truly to administer the said decd estates 
and to bring and inventory there of unto the Reg. Genl. Office at Philadelphia 
at or before the 5th day of May next and render a true account when there unto 
lawfully required given under the seal of the said office. Wm. Plumstead Reg. 
Genl.