Will:JacobKlein-1833
This is the will of Johan Jacob Klein, dated 1833. The original (see scanned images, above) is written in old German. The son referred to as "Johannes (John)" is also a direct ancestor, John Klein.
What follows is a translation into English of the first three pages, translator unknown, and a transcription of the fourth page made by Richard Brady Williams on 18 Sep 2006.
English Translation of pages 1-3
WILL OF JACOB KLEIN
location:
Lehigh County Courthouse, Vol.2 , p.135, File #1156
Will filed 25 Feb. 1833 (Original in Old German)
In the name of God, Amen!
I, Jacob Klein from Macoungu Township Leoha County State Pennsylvania
Esquire, even though weak in body but of healthy mind, memory, and power of
judgement, on account of the uncertainty of this transitory life, have found it
desireable to make my last will and testament in the following manner, namely:
first, I recommend my soul into the hands of my God and my body give to the
earth. As for my earthly posessions, with which God has blessed me, it is my
definite will:
First: that my four sons, Peter, Gabriel, Philip, and Johannes (John) get their full share of inheritance in land and have nothing more to expecct.
Second: it is my will that because my son Jacob has had an illegitimate child with Catharina Lauer, daughter of Philip Lauer, against the laws of God and against the laws of the land, a child for which I and my two sons, Peter and Gabriel have settled with Philip Lauer and have given him a bond of fourty pounds with legal interest and we have paid until the present day all yearly interest and are obligated to pay such until the above-named bastard child has reached the age of 21: thus it is my will that my executors named below subtract 40 pounds with the interest of 5 years, namely the most recent 5 years, from the inheritance of my son Jacob, and in case these 40 pounds have to be paid before my death and from my property, so that my two sons Peter and Gabriel may pay these, in which case my executors shall pay to my sons Peter and Gabriel such 40 pounds with 5 years interest from the debts which they owe me. Further is it my will that--because my son Jacob after a legal suit with Heinrich Eigner of Maccunqu Township Lecha County gave a note of $50 to Heinrich Wilson, his attorney, for which note I am gaurantor (security) --that such note of $30 with interest be paid from my possessions and this is to be deducted from the inheritance of my son Jacob.
Further: it is my will that my 3 daughters Susanna, Catharina and Elizabeth receive as my inheritance from my property as has been stated above and that this be deducted from my son Jacob, namely 40 pounds with 5 years interest and $30 with interest. And further it is my will that my oldest daughter Susanne besides her inheritance shall also have her dowry from my property the same as my younger daughters Catherina and Elizabeth have received.
It is further my will that the third part, namely the sum of 141 dollars and 50 cents, which I owe to Hannah, widow of the late Friedrich Gaumer, that my executors should take care that the interest of this sum be paid to the above named Hannah every year as long as she lives, and after her death be paid to the heirs of the mentioned late Friedrich Gaumer.
Finally it is my express will that after everything I have stipulated has been subtracted and paid, that all my goods are to be divided in equal parts among these my four children, namely Jacob, Susanna, Cathearina, and Elizabeth. Finally, I name as my executors of this my last will and testament my two sons-in-law namely Isaac Matturn (spelling unclear) and Peter Klein. That this is my last will and testament I certify with my signature today on the 24th of October in the year of the Lord 1832.
(signed) Jacob Kline/Klein
Transcription of Page 4 (original in English)
Be it known that on the 25th day of February A.D. 1833, before me the Subscriber Deputy Registrar for the probate of wills and [illegible] letters of administration in and for the County of Lehigh, persosnally saw George Wagner, one of the subscribing [illegible] to the [illegible] instrument of writing, who having been duly sworn by me according to the law and on his oath did say that he was present and saw and heard Jacob Klein, the [illegible] sign, publish, pronounce, and disclose the said instrument as and for his last will and testament and that at the time of so doing he was of sound mind memory and understanding, to the best of his knowledge, observation, and belief.
(signed) Geo. Rhoads, Deputy Registrar
Be it known that on the 22nd day of March, 1833 before me the Subscriber Deputy Registrar, in and for the County of Lehigh, personally saw[?] Benjamin German, one of the subscribing witnesses to the within instrument of writing, who having been duly sworn by me according to law, and on his oath did say that he was present and saw and heard the [illegible] Jacob Klein sign, publish, pronounce, and disclose the said instrument as and for his last will and testament, and that at the time of so doing he was of perfect and sound mind memory and understanding to the best of his knowledge, observation, and belief.
(signed) Geo. Rhoads, Deputy Registrar
(signed at bottom of page)
[illegible] [illegible]
Georg Wagner
Benj. German
