Text of Last Will and Testament of George Matthias:

In the name of God, Amen I George Matthias of Carroll county in the state of Maryland, Being advanced in years, and weak in body, but of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, Considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof, And being desirous to settle my worldly affairs, and thereby be the better prepared to leave this world when it shall please Almighty God, to call me home, do therefore make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following. That is to say; first and principally I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God, and my body to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executor hereinafter named, and after my death and funeral charges are paid I devise and bequeath unto my daughter Rachel Matthias her chest, her Bed and Bedstead, her Bureau, her six Winsor chairs, my large Iron Kettle, my case of Drawers, one pair of flat irons, and my Looking Glass and a small (?) tray and also the sume of one hundred and fifty Dollars, current money to be paid her by my Executorhereinafter named, one year after my death.

I give and bequeath unto my son George Matthias to my Broad tread wagon, wagon body cover, hough, my two horse streachers (?) and the choice of my fifth (?), and also, the sum of two hundred Dollars, current money, (This to be in liew of his trade and labours done, for me).

And further, It is my will, and I do order and direct that my executor hereinafter named, is fully authorized and empowered to sell at public sale all my goods, and chattels, not willed and bequeathed by me in this my last will and Testament. And also to sell and dispose of all my real estate that I may die seized and possesed of at the time of my death including the cider press at public or private sale, and on such Terms as my executor may think most advantageous for the benedfit of all that may be concernd. It is my will and I do order and direct that my home plantation to be sold together, all the parts and parcel of land, belonging to the same, and lying contiguous to each other, not be cut up in parcels in any way or manner and my wood land lying adjoining George Bixler and others to be sold as aforesaid, by my Executor, the same to be laid off into four Lots, by the direction of my Executor, to the best advantage, etc.

And I also further also authorize and direct my executor to collect by suit or otherwise, all monies due and becoming due to me on Bonds, notes, Book accounts, or otherwise, and the monies arising from the sales of my goods and chattels and real estate, and from collections, together with all monies that I leave at my death, To be equally divided amonst my children, after the payments of the within mentioned Legacies and my just debts, funeral charges, and incidental expenses in settling my estate, etc. And the balance of money left, after payments as aforesaid, I order and direct to be divided into Eight Equal shares. I will and bequeath the said Balance as follows To Wit -

1st - One equal share to my son David Matthias and his heirs, Including in the share coming to him, my said son the sum of two hundred and seventy nine Dollars, which I heretofore advanced to him, and charged to him on my book of accounts.

2nd - One equal share to my son Jacob Matthias, and his heirs, Including in the share coming to him the sum of One hundred and fifty Dollars, which I have charged to him my said son, in my book of accounts.

3rd - One equal share to my son George Matthias Jr. and his heirs, Including in the share coming to him the sum of six hundred and eighty nine Dollars, which said Balance I have charged to him on my book of accounts.

4th - One equal share to my daughter Catharine, intermarried with Peter Brian and their heirs Including in the share coming to her my said daughter the sum of one hundred and ninety Dollars which I have charged to her on my book of accounts.

5th - One equal share to my daughter Sally intermarried with John Lawyer and their heirs, Including in the share coming to her my said daughter the sum of one hundred and forty Dollars, which I have charged to her on my book of accounts.

6th - One equal share to my daughter Polly Matthias widow of my son John Deceased, and to her two children, viz Perry Matthias and Eliza, intermarried with Emanuel Spangler and their heirs, said share to be equally divided between them share and share alike, Including in the share coming to her the said Polly Matthias, and her two children the sum of one hundred and fifty Dollars, which I have charged to my son John Matthias, deceased, on my book of accounts.

7th - One equal share to my daughter Rachel Matthias, her heirs and assigns.

8th - One equal share to my daughter Elizabeth, heretofore intermarried to Henry Bomgartner (but since divorced by an act of the General Assembly of Maryland, in 1836. Chap. 47) Including in the share coming to her my said daughter Elizabeth, and her heirs, the sum of two hundred and nineteen Dollars and thirty five cents, which I have charge to my said daughter on my book of accounts, our of said Balance I will and bequeath to my grand children, sons and daughter of my daughter Elizabeth, viz Samuel, Joshua, Lewis and Amanda Bomgartmer, each the sum of five Dollars, to be paid to them respectively as they become of lawful age, by my executor hereinafter named, And I further order and direct that the sum or sums of money and charges so made on my book of accounts by me against my children respectively to be without interest.

And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Jacob Matthias sole executor or this my last will and Testament authorizeing and empowering my executor to convey by deed of conveyance all property what he may sell under the directions of this my last will nd Testament, I hereby authoirze and empower my said executor to convey the same in as full and ample a manner as I myself could do where I yet living, Revoking and annuylling all former wills by me heretofore made. Ratifying and confirming this and one other to be my last will and Testament.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this twenty first day of December in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and forty one.

George Matthias (seal)

Witnessed by Peter Panebaker and I. Henry Hoppe. Presented for probate on April 4, 1842.