In the name of God amen, I Jacob Straw of Hempfield Township in the County of Westmoreland and State of Pennsylvania being sickly and weak in body, but of sound mind memory & understanding blessed by God for the same, but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following, to wit. First it is my will and I so order that all my just debts and funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied, as soon as conveniently can be after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto my dear wife Maria Catherina, all my estate, of what kind or nature soever the same may be, to be enjoyed by her during her natural life, and immediately after her decease it is my will and I do order that whatever may remain of my said estate after my wife’s decease shall be equally divided in nine shares, share and share alike among those of my children hereafter named. Viz one share thereof unto my son Jacob, one share unto my daughter Maria intermarried with Conrad Heimbaugh, one share unto my son Philip, one share unto my daughter Margaret, one share unto my daughter Susanna intermarried with William Stenton, one share unto my daughter Barbara intermarried with Daniel Syberling, one share unto my son Michael, one share unto my daughter Justina intermarried with Peter Seges, and one share unto my daughter Christina intermarried with John Christian Snyder with this promise, however, that whatever any of my aforementioned children have ____, or may yet receive of me in my life time is to be deducted out of their respective shares. My two oldest children viz my daughter Regina intermarried with Gerhard Kempf, and my son John Peter, have got already what I allowed them to ____ in the price of the land which I sold them. And lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my said wife Maria Catherina and my dear friend Christopher Snyder Senr. of Hempfield Township aforesaid to be the executors of this my will declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this third day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & eight. Signed, sealed, published, pronounced & declared by the said
Jacob Straw
testator as his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request have subscribed as witnesses
Fredk Rohner Wm. Freidt
22 May 1808 Proved by the oath of Fredk Rohner and affirmation of Wm. Freidt the two subscribing witnesses
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Transcribed 26 June 2002 by Barbara Shroyer from FHL microfilm 1316409 of Westmoreland Will Book 1, p. 44, will 94.
Note: The following names may have been incorrectly transcribed: Stenton, Seges, Kempf, Freidt. Also the k in Fredk was a superscript making the name Frederick.