The following is the last will and testament of Susannah BUCKWALTER, wife of Christian STAUFFER, of Coalbrookdale, Berks County, PA. The original will is written in German, and was translated by two different women from Pueblo, Colorado. Each was born in Germany and was familiar with old German writing. Each was reading from a copy of the will, and did the best she could with the interpretation and translation of the 1820 German script. I transcribed and merged the two versions almost exactly as they wrote it without regard to spelling or grammar. I did, however, attempt to reconcile the spelling of people’s names with my genealogical records. I have provided links to the two pages of the original text. I really wish someone would go back to the original will and get a much better translation of it. - - Lane Maxwell
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In God's name Amen I Susannah STAUFFER from Colebrookdale, Berks County and from Pennsylvania, widow, am old and weak from body strength, but sound of mind And thinking in memory is not that good, but my thoughts from the past and also the future, but I am close to the time of life and make this life of my last will and testament as it follows.
First I will give my Soul into the hands of God and that all will in order, and the order of my executor, and all my worldly goods which God gave to me. In these times give life and power. I give and give in these times of give life and give in the following way.
First, it is my will, that all my debts and outstanding bills and funeral expenses are met and paid.
Second I give to Elizabeth, to the wife and son John JERGER from Colebrookdale Berks county the sum of 100 pounds money which I received from my dead husband Christian STAUFFER. Also 16 pounds which I have not yet received but were left to me in my husband’s last will and testament.
Third I leave to my daughter Maria, and her daughter Anna who is married to Jacob HENRY, to the sum of 4 pounds The rest goes to my son as he is the executor of my dead husband's will. As asked before, to hold for their children.
Register Office Reading Berks County November 8th 1829 Aforementioned Daniel to the aforementioned Emilie who was a daily help according
Fourth I given and donate to Rebena DARGER daughter from John DARGER my bed and bed clothes also my box with what was in it my table and dishes also to Elizabeth DARGER wife of John DARGER all my clothing and dresses.
5th I give and donate, to all my relative all clothing and the rest of my belongings as live, last I call and order John JERGER shirt and John A. BECHTEL both from Colebrookdale, County Brroumsing [sic] as also an executor and last will and testament. And for all others I give as today 20 day of September one thousand eight hundred and twenty [also read as 21 Sep 1821]
6. It is written and notarized in my last will and testament the witness is Sussen STAUFFER E Meril witness Daniel GUELDIM John BAUERMAN.
[The certification is written in English]: Register Office Reading Berks County November 8th 1827
There appeared Daniel GULDIN and Johannes SIMMON witnesses to be aforementioned will who were duly qualified according to law did declare and say that they were present and did see and hear Susannah STAUFFER the testator therein named signed by making her mark published pronounced and declare [...blurred out..] and for her last will and testament [...blurred out...] of the doing thereof. She the said testrix was of sound mind, memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and as they verily believe and for this that names Daniel GULDIN and Johannes SIMMON are of the [...?...] writing thereto. [...?...] are witnesses in the presence of each other and in this [...?...] and at the request of the Testatrix. Signatures
=> Proceed to first page of the German will
=> Proceed to second page of the German will
Go to Lane Maxwell’s Home Page for links to his other projects such as: his ’57 TBird kit car, his genealogy research, his solar heating projects, his wacky inventions, his scrap lumber garage, and perhaps more.
