Berkeley County, West Virginia Will of Peter CUSTER 1835-1841 ************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor. Transcribed and submitted by Grace C. Ebneter, , January, 1999 ************************************************************************** THE WILL OF PETER CUSTER I, Peter Custer, of Berkeley County, in the State of Virginia, make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following: FIRST: I will that my perishable part of my property be sold immediately after my decease, be sold by me executors, for to be applyed to the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses. SECONDLY: I give to my beloved wife Elizabeth Custer one bed and bedding, two chairs, delf plates, and set of cups and caucers. I further give her my house and lot whereon I now live, to occupy_or rent out during her natural life. THIRD: I will that my executors hereinafter mentioned after the death of my wife advertise in some newspaper printed in Berkeley County, for two weeks, and sell upon the premises my house and lot to the highest bidder, at one-third of the pur- chase money in hand, the balance in two payments of nine and eighteen months. And after the payment of my just debts, the balance whatever it may be I will to be equally divided amongst my children, to wit: John Custer, George Custer, Margaret Baker, Mark Custer, Jacob Custer, Reuben Custer, Hannah Hays, and Catharine Hens, to them and their heirs; whatever sum of money obtained from Joseph Ball's deceased --formerly a citizen of Philadelphia--estate, I will to be equally divided amongst the aforesaid heirs. FOURTH: I will my large iron kettle to Margaret Baker, to her and her heirs, and lastly I appoint my trusty friend, Levi Henshaw, my executor to this my last Will and Testament, with full powers to sell and convey to the purchaser my home and lot, and hereby revoking all other former Wills and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 13th day of March, 1835. PETER CUSTER Signed, sealed, published, and declared by Peter Custer as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us and at his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses. GEORGE J. BALTZ his ANTHONY X SECKMAN mark COLBERT HOLLIDAY At a court held for the County of Berkeley, at the Court House, on the 8th day of March, 1841. This last 'Will and Testament of Peter Custer, deceased, was produced in Court and proved by the oaths of George J. Baltz and Colbert Holliday, two of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded, and upon the notice of Levi Henshaw, the executor therein named, who made oath as the law directs thereunto and executed bond with security conditioned; certificate granted him for obtaining probate thereon in due form.