The last will and testament of Peter Rutter, son of Joseph Rutter, dated Feb. 4, 1769, and proved Jan. 5, 1792.
Source: Unknown
Peter Ritter
In the name of God amen! I Peter Ritter of Salisbury township, Lancaster County in the Province of Pennsylvania, yeoman, being under sundry bodily indispositions, yet of sound and retaining mind and memory, blessed be God therefore, and having an habitual sense of approaching dissolution, knowing the grave to be the house appointed for all living. I therefore make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following, i.e. Principally I recommend my spirit to my blessed Lord, as into the hands of a faithful creator and redeemer. And my body or remains to the earth in Christian burial, hoping a joyful resurrection thereof at the end of time. And touching creature enjoyments, I give and bequeath the same, thus. I will and allow that all that my just debts and funeral charges be first fully paid and satisfied out thereof. I give and bequeath all my working tools to my son John Ritter. I give and bequeath my bed, compleat [sic], to my daughter Mary, the wife of Joseph Ritter. I give and bequeath to my grandson Rowan Keenan the sum of forty pounds, my mare and furniture, four yards woolen cloth, and all my apparel. I give and bequeath to my grandson Thomas Skiles the sum of forty pounds. I give and bequeath to my grandson John Ritter the sume of ten pounds. I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Elizabeth Ritter (daughter of said Mary) the sum of ten pounds. All said each legacies in Pennsylvania currency and to be put to interest until my said grandchildren arrive at age, severally and respectively to receive the same with such interest. I give and bequeath all and singular the residue of my estate real and personal unto and equally amongst my children, male and female, share and share alike. Lastly, I nominate, ordain, constitute and appoint my trusty friends and [illegible] William Hamilton, of said township, and David Watson, of Leacock township [unreadable, but presumably naming them as executors of his will] … revoking and disannulling all former or other will or wills, testament or testaments by me hitherto had or made, and confirming this and this alone to be my last will and testament. In writing whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this twenty fourth day of February, anno domini one thousand seven hundred and sixty nine [Feb 24, 1769]. Peter Ritter [his mark and seal] Signed, sealed, published and declared in the presence of: Stewart Herbert, William Skiles, William Rutter
William Rutter, one of the witnesses sworn (and the other not to be found) the 5th day of January, 1792. [coramme? coram deo?] James Hopkins, Deputy Register
There is a will for another Peter Ritter dated Jan 5, 1778. Wills: Index to Abstracts, L-Z Surnames: 1721-1819; Lancaster PA