In the name of God, amen. I Catharine Ritzman, of Jefferson Township,
Dauphin County and State of Penna. Being sick and Weak in body, but Sound
of mind, memory and understanding, (Praised be God for it.) and considering
the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof, and to
the end I may be the Better Prepared to leave this World, Whenever it Shall
Please God to call me Hence, do therefore make and declare this my Last
Will and Testament In Manner following, that is to Say, first and Principally
I commend My Soul into the hands of Almighty God My Creator, hoping for
Free Pardon and remission of all My Sins, and to Enjoy Everlasting Happiness
in the heavenly Kingdom through Jesus Christ My Saviour; My body I commit
to the earth at the discretion of my Executor herein after named.--First
I Will that all my just debts as Shall be by me owing at my death Together
With My funeral expenses, and all charges touching the Proving of or otherwise
concerning this my Will, Shall in the first place out of My Personal Estate
and Effects be fully Paid and Satisfied; and from and after payment thereoff
[sic] and Subject thereto then My Will is, that all the residue of my Goods,
Stocks, Chattels, and household furniture Shall be Impartially appraised
and after Such Appraisment Made That the Same Shall Be divided into Ten
Parts one Part I Give and Bequeath unto My Son Christopher and also twenty
Five Dollars Extra--one other Equal Part Thereof I give and Bequeath unto
my Son John if he returns again and if not his Part Shall be Equally Divided
amongst all the heirs-one other Equal Part Thereof I give and Bequeath
unto my Son Joseph one other Equal Part I give and Bequeath unto my Son
Balser one other Equal Part I Give and Bequeath unto my Son Jacob one other
Equal Part I give and Bequeath unto my Son Jonas one other Equal Part I
give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Mary one other Equal Part I give and
Bequeath unto my Daughter Margaretta one other Equal Part I Give and Bequeath
unto my Daughter Catharine one other Equal Part I give and Bequeath unto
my Daughter Sarah And I Make and ordain Adam Motter* Executor
of This My Last Will and Testament--.
In Witness Whereof, C. R. the Testator, have to this my Will, Consisting
of one Sheet of Paper Set my hand and Seal at the Bottom of Said Sheet
this twenty ninth Day of May one Thousand Eight Hundred & Fifty two
Witness Present
her
Catharine X Ritzman
SEAL
John H. Sheasley
mark
Frederick Hochlander
My Will is and I do appoint Said Adam Motter* Shall have
the Guardianship of my Son Christopher & John Catharine Balser Jacob
& Joseph ---- -----
In Witness Whereof I Set my hand and Seal the Day and Year Above Written
her
Catharine X Ritzman
SEAL
mark
Attest:
Jno H. Sheasley
Frederick Hochlander
Dauphin County
Personally appeared in the Registers office of Said County of Dauphin
Before me Valentine Hummel Jr. Register for the propate of Wills and granting
Letters of administration in and for Said county; Jno. H. Sheasley + Frederick
Hochlander who being by me first duly affirmed ^sworn
according to Law doth declare and Say that they were present and Saw +
heard the testatix [sic] Catharine Ritzman Sign Seal and pronounce the
foregoing and amend on testament of Writing and or for her last will and
testament + that at the time of so doing she was of a Sound and disposing
mind, memory and understanding to the best of their Knowledge and belief
and further Say not.
Sworn + Subscribed this 20 day
John H. Sheasley
of August 1852
Frederick Hochlander
Before me
Val Hummel, Jr. Register
* We made every effort to transcribe the will literally: the individual "Adam Motter," we assume to be Adam Matter, Catherine's brother, but the will seems to read "Motter." Since someone was writing the will for Catherine, this could be a simple misspelling.