Will: Rev. Jacob Decker Zehring, 1886: Jefferson, York, Pennsylvania Copyright (c) 2002 by FamilyHart, FamilyHart@aol.com This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Alice Beard, harold12@epix.net USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file 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 submitter PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. Will: Rev. Jacob Decker Zehring, 1886: Jefferson, York, Pennsylvania Copyright (c) 2002 by FamilyHart, FamilyHart@aol.com ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Will found below was probated in York County, Pa 16 February 1887. Jacob D. Zehring the said decedent died on the 5th day of February AD 1887 at or about the hour of 9 o'clock AM of said day as per affidavit of death in Book #4 page 742 filed on the 16th day of February AD1887. Last Will and Testament of Rev. Jacob D. Zehring, deceased My last Will and Testament in the name of the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Where as I am fully aware that death is constantly pursuing me and how soon will overtake me, and wherein I am yet of good health and judgment, I therefore concluded at this time to make my last Will and Testament, as herein after be seen, viz: 1) that it is my will that I shall be decently and in a Christian manner be buried. And that after my demise my herein named executor shall as soon as conveniently can be done, convert some of my estate into money and pay all my honest debts. 2) That my beloved Wife Catherine, shall be at liberty to take household goods at a just and fair appraisement to the amount of Three hundred dollars ($300) or in money to the same value, for her own use, or dispose as she pleases; besides 2 bed and bedsteads of her own choice, 2 dressers, one stove and pipe, one clock, 2 tables, 6 chairs and 2 rocking chairs, all her books that she brought here and whatever has her name written on a flyleaf, 30 yards of carpet and one chest. She is at liberty to take three articles of such she brought to me, on those in the house at my decease; besides she may take for Twenty dollars ($20) worth of kitchen articles, that I may have forgotten to mention in here. 3) That either Five hundred ($500) and the house we live in (Markel's house) shall be hers as long as she shall be my honest widow; and if she do not chose the house named, then my herein named executor shall sell the house to the best advantage he can and put Eighteen hundred dollars ($1,800) on the best and safest interest, (mortgage is the safest) and the interest paid over to her regular and annually, as long as she lives. (The house and lot has to be kept in repair at her own expense) After her decease this money or house, the executor has to receive back and sell it, if any is to sell and the five children herein named shall equally and peacefully divide the money as they have done with the other ---------. 4) That in any of my books, which has the name (on page 20) of any of my five children has the right to keep it, without buying it. They are at liberty to ----------------- keeping. With the remainder of my books, they are at liberty to do as they chose. 5) That with the remainder of my estate from whatever source it maybe, not herein named be honestly and equally divided accordingly to the herein prescribed order namely, Jacob D. Zehring, Rebecca Maria Zehring (now Mrs. Kase), Elizabeth Ann Zehring (now Mrs. Gottschall), Isabella Matilda Zehring (now Mrs. Seiler) and Alice Barbara Zehring (now Mrs. Michael). The herein named executor shall remain in office as long as any thing of my estate shall be controlled, if the Lord shall call him away before my estate shall entirely settled off, then his executor or administrator shall be empowered the same as his to transact in my estate. 6) It is my desire that the proceeds or quotas coming to my four daughters, shall have the sole and whole control over it. It shall never be used to pay off any contracted debt or debtor except may by themselves. If any of their husbands has ever used any horrible oaths against me and wished me in Hell, the same desire to repent and reflect whether it be right to make use of the money from my estate. Reflect and ponder over your own soul's condition. It don't hurt me where I am in my grave, but remember the catechetical class; how after I prayed for you, O dear son in law! Further, if I had given money to any of my child or children and have not returned the same, it shall be deducted from the quota of my estate with less than Three percent interest, no matter whether limitation law took place or not; it shall be honestly paid. 7) That I will name and order my son Jacob Decker Zehring, Jr. to be my lawful and honest and just executor to carry out this my last Will and Testament and as fee he shall receive out of my estate, Four hundred and Fifty dollars, for his trouble. Should he [have] any extra trouble or troubles created in the family, then he has a right to extra charges to the estate. Further, should any of the receivers of my estate, be dissatisfied with my last Will and Testament, he or she shall only receive one half of the quota, allotted to them of my estate. Written and transcribed from a former will, this Fourteenth (14) day of August, One thousand Eight hundred and Eighty four (1884) at Jefferson (Codorus P.O.), York County, PA. Signed by my left hand (can't use the right hand anymore) Jacob D. Zehring, Sr. Witnesses: G. S. Brodbeck and Michael Flickinger I, Jacob D. Zehring, the wherein name Testator do make and publish this Codicil, to be added to this my last Will and Testament in manner and power following, to wit: Whereas I have and hold an interest with my brothers and sisters in a certain tract of mountain land situated in the township of Union, Lebanon Co., PA containing Thirty-five (35) acres more or less. I do hereby authorize and empower my said executor to sell and dispose the said interest in the said mountain land to the best advantage he can, grant, execute and empower deed or deeds for the same and power proceed thereof pay the money advanced to me by my brother, C. D. Zehring and the balance of the proceeds disposed of as directed in the foregoing will. Hereby this Codicil to this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 14th day of September AD 1886. Jacob D. Zehring {SEAL} Witnesses: G. S. Brodbeck and Michael Flickinger The above will was probated in York County, Pa 16 February 1887. Jacob D. Zehring the said decedent died on the 5th day of February AD1887 at or abut the hour of 9 o'clock AM of said day as per affidavit of death in Book #4 page 742 filed on the 16th day of February AD1887.