The Last Will and Testament of Jacob
Mathias Showalter
Jacob Mathias Showalter was born 1702 in Strengelbach, St. Giles canton,
Switzerland. He immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1750. He married Mariah Saunders, who survived him. He was
my 6great-grandfather.
Jacob Mathias Showalter
left a will on 7 March 1767. Jacob Showalter will (pro. 28
April 1773), Philadelphia County Will Book P, no. 279: 401, City Archives, 401 City Hall Annex, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. Microfilm 0021727, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
The transcript of the
Will reads: I Jacob Showalter of Whitehall Township in the County
of Northampton in the province of Pennsylvania, having by the blefsings of the Almighty God Considerably
advanced to old age and feeling the infirmities thereof tho at the same time being of Sound Understanding and
memory I do in the first place recommend my Soul to the Hands of my true Redeemer Jesus Christ and my Body to
the Earth until Resurrection agreeable to the Lord's Will, and for preventing all Contests and disputes which
might arise after my decease I have made and published this my last Will and Testament in manner following.
First I have delivered unto my son Valentine Showalter my Plantation or Tract of one hundred acres of Land
Situte in the Township &t; County aforesaid, that is to say, for the Consideration of four hundred pounds
Lawful money of Pennsylvania; and the said money shall be paid to my Children in manner following. Valentine
Showalter shall of the aforesaid four hundred pounds have Sixteen pounds beforehand and then my Children shall
have each an Equal part thereof. But in Consideration that I have given to my Son Valentine Sixteen pounds
beforehand he shall pay twinty pounds every year commencing to pay the Eldest who is now living and so Continueing
to the youngest until each shall have received his part of the afors.d four hundred pounds, and he
shall give his Brothers and Sisters Notes and Bonds for their Inheritance. Further I do ordain that my Eldest
Son Peter Showalter or his Heirs shall have one Shilling Sterling for his double share of Inheritance and
over & above the s.d one Shilling Sterling he shall not under any pretence whatever have more
than an equal part with my other Children. And moreover I Will that the Heirs of my Eldest Son shall in the
last place receive their Inheritance. But whatever I have yet in my Hands shall remain till after their
mothers death and then it shall be divided like moveable goods among my Heirs. And I do further Will and
ordain that if my daughter Ann Frisher Should marry again then so much of her heriditary portion as She has
yet to receive shall be divided among her Children in equal parts tho my daughter may have it in use until the
Children come of age. Further I do Constitute and Ordain my son Joseph Showalter and my Son in law Henry
Funk Executors and my son John Showalter overseer Non. I hope that this my last Will shall be inviolately
kept so that if pofsible none may be wronged. In Witnefs Whereof I have in the presence of Subscribing
Witnefses set my hand and Seal hereunto the 7th day of March 1767. Jacob Showalter (Seal) George Groff Jacob (his mark) Ber. Philad.a April 28th 1773. Personally
appeared George Groff and Jacob Ber the Witnefses to the forgoing Will and on their Solemn Affirmation
according to Law did declare that they saw and heard Jacob Showalter the Testator theein named Sign Seal
publish and declare the same Will for and as his Will and Testament and that at the Execution thereof he was
of sound disposing mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowedge and belief.
Coram Benjamin Chew, Reg. Gen.l Be it Remembered that on the 28th day of
April 1773 the last Will and Testament of Jacob Showalter deceased in due form of Law was proved and Probate
and Letters Testamentary thereof were granted to Joseph Showalter and Henry Funck Executors in the said Will
named, being solemnly Affirmed will and truly to administer the said decids. Estate and bring an Inventory
thereof in the Register Generals Office at Philadelphia on or before the 28th day of May next and render a
true Account of the said administration on or before the 29th day of April 1774, or when thereto Lawfully
required. Given under the Seal of said Office. Benjamin Chew, Reg.r
Gen.l.