Will of Catharine Ritzman (nee Matter) of Jefferson Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.  Will located on microfilm at the Dauphin County Courthouse, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Submitted by Marti Wise, e-mail rmwise@erols.com, web address http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Bluffs/3600

  Last Will and Testament of Catharine Ritzman decd. No.4 Filed Aug 20, 1852 & Recorded in Will Book F page 312

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.