Estate Files

Jacob Zerbe Will-1782
Berks County Pennsylvania

In the name of God amen the 15th day of August in the year of anno? 1776. I, Jacob Zerbe, of Bethel Township in Berks County because I am very weak in Body. But of good Memory and understanding thanks be to God for it. And just? now Come to my mind the Mortality of my Life and that it is (ordained ?) for all men to die. Make herewith my Last will and testament that is so to say.
First of all I give my soul in the hands of my God who gave it to me, And Concerning my Body. I recommend it be buried in the earth. Not doubting that God by his powerful hand will at the Last Day Raise it again. And what Relates to my worldly Estate wherewith God had blessed me in this Life I give the same in the following Manner – –.
Item. It is my will and I order that first of all my just debts and charges shall be paid and satisfied as – m– ? – m – d – – – –.

Item. I give to Susannah my well beloved housewife the sum of 30 pounds good and lawful money of Pennsylvania. And my bed and bedding with all the furniture belonging thereunto before hand to be taken from my own and given to her. –

Item. I give to my loving son John Zerbe one shillings sterling for his Birth Right. – –

Item. it is my will that the residue of my Estate shall be Divided among surviving my wife and children. Whereof my wife, Susannah, shall have one third part. – And the remainder to be divided in equal shares among my children to share as one yet alike.

Item. It is further my will and I nominate my trusted friend Nicholas Gaucker to be my true and lawful executor of this my Last will and testament. And Make null and void all former wills, Testaments, Bequests and Executors. And allow this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I Subscribed it with my own hand and Soul the Day and Year above Mentioned – Signed Sealed and Declared by the Said Jacob Zerbe as his Last will and testament,

Jacob Zerbe
Signed by Leonhard Zerbe and Andreas Riegel witnesses

A true translation from the German original.

Registers office at Reading Berks County the 19th day of March 1782 then appeared personally Andreas Riegel and Leonhard Zerbe witnesses to the within written will and on their solemn oath severely deposed and say that they were present and saw and heard Jacob Zerbe the testator therein named sign seal pronounce publish and declare the within writing to be his last will and testament and that at the time of doing thereof he was of sound mind memory and understanding as they verify believe and further that the names of the said Deponents are each of them their own proper hand writing subscribed thereto as witnesses at the request and in the presence of the said testator.
Signed Henry Christ register

The value of the inventory was 96 pounds, 6 sterling and 6 pence.
Transcribed by William Regli, March 29, 2013. Corrections made November 12, 2013.