The Will Of Heinrich Kendig [1763-1825]
Written 13 Aug 1823, Lancaster County, PA.
In the name of God Amen! I Henry Kendig of the township of Strasburg, county of Lancaster, state of Pennsylvania, yeoman, being in perfect health and of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, blessed be God for the same, but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make and publish this as my last will and testament, in manner and form following, viz. Principally and first of all, I commend my immortal soul into the hands of God, who gave it, and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner, at the discretion of my executors, here after named and as to such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give and dispose of the same in manner following.
I give, divise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary all that tract or division of my land upon which I have lately built a new house, likewise all that part of my hill place upon which the buildings are erected for her own use and at her disposal , for and during her material life, provided she remains my widow, but should she marry again, then her whole right and claim to the said land shall immediately cease, my said wife is only to take so much, wood and rails of the said hill plantation as will serve her for firewood and fence the first mentioned tract for the term aforesaid. I do give devise and bequeath unto my said wife my eight day clock and desk, all my linen and wollen cloth that I may have, the half of all my beds and bedding, the milk cows, one riding creature, the two stoves in the house and one breeding sow, all of her own choice, also so much kitchen furniture as she may think proper, all for her own use, the aforesaid bequests which I have made unto my said wife, Mary to be in full and in lieu of her dower.
I do hereby order and direct that all my wearing apparel be equally divided amongst all my children.
It is my will and I do hereby order and direct my executors herein after named, to expose to sale by public venue, as soon as convenient after my decease all that division or tract of land whereon my son Joseph now lives, containing ninety-two acres and one hundred perches, together with that part of my hill place, not yet bequeathed, upon such terms as to them shall appear most advantageous.
I do hereby order and direct that my executors or the survivor of them after the decease of my said wife Mary (or after her marriage should it happen) expose to sale by public venue, all those two tracts of land I have bequeathed to my said wife, upon such terms as to them may appear most advantageous, I do also hereby empower my executor to make and deliver to the purchase or purchases of my said land fee simple title, for the same. As to the monies arising from the disposal of the whole of my estate real and personal. I do hereby order and direct that the same be equally divided amongst all my children, share and share alike. It is my will that my executors expose to sale all my personal estate as soon as convenient after my decease, excepting those things bequeathed to my wife.
I do hereby appoint, Abraham Groff (Sawmiller) and Christian Herr (Pequea) both of Lancaster county aforesaid, guardians over the persons and estate of such of my children who may be mine at my decease and during their minorities.
Lastly, I do nominate, constitute and appoint my son Joseph Kendig, John Groff (Davidison) both of the township of Strasburg or the survivor of them, executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former or other wills and declaring this and no other to be my will, in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and chattels this thirtieth day of August in the year of our lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty three (1823).
Henry Kindig
Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said testator, as his last will and testament in the presence of us, who in his presence and at his request have hereto subscribed our names as witnesses.
George Hoffman, Jacob Denlinger