The last will and testament of Jacob Bichler, Joseph Rutter’s father-in-law, dated Feb. 14, 1757, and proved Oct 25, 1757.
Source: Lancaster County Historical Society, Lancaster, PA, Lancaster County Will Book B, Vol. 1, pg 177
Jacob Bichler, deceased
In the name of God Amen This fourteenth Day of February in the Year of our Lord One thousand and seven hundred fifty and seven I Jacob Bichler of Leacock Township, Lancaster County and Province of Pennsylvania Yeoman being weak and frail in Body but of a retaining Mind and Memory thanks to God for it and calling to mind the Mortality of my Body as knowing it to be appointed for all Men once to dye I do therefore make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner following, and principally I recommend my Soul to God who gave it and my Body to be buried in a Christian like manner at the discretion of my Executors herein after named nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by Gods Almighty Power. Inprimus I will and allow that all my just Debts and funeral charges be paid out of my Personal Estate. Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth the Sum of two Pounds to be paid her four Years after my disease Item I give and Bequeath to my Daughter Barbara the Sum of Two Pounds to be paid her five Years after my disease Item I give and Bequeath to my Grandson George Michael Wolf the Sum of five Pounds to be paid him one year after my disease Item I give and Bequeath to my Grandson John Jacob Wolf the Sum of five Pounds two years after my disease Item I Give and bequeath to my Grandson Henery Wolf the Sum of five pounds three Years after my disease. Item I Give and bequeath to my Granddaughters Mary and Susannah Wolf and to my Grandson Abram Wolf to each and every of them the Sum of One Pound each and every of them to be paid four Years after my disease Item I Give and Bequeath the Sum of One Pound to the elder of the Reformed Dutch Church for the time being after my Disease which now stands in Andrew Seldenridge his plantation for the use and behoof of the said Church only Item I Give and Bequeath to my Granddaughter Rebecca Ritter a Cow to be given her by my Grandson Hennery Ritter And my said Grandson Henery Ritter shall pay all and every the Legacies and bequeathments to the respective Legatees aforesaid at the time aforesaid, and the Money as hereby bequeathed shall all be in Pennsylvania Currency Item I Give and devise to my said Grandson Henery Ritter all and Singular my Real and Personal Estate under and liable to the restrictions limitations and incumbrances aforesaid to have and to hold to the said Henery Ritter his heirs and assigns forever And furthermore I hereby Nominate and appoint my said Grandson Henery Ritter and Nathaniel Lightner both of said Township to be my whole and sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby Revoking and disannulling all other and former Will or Wills Testament or Testaments by me heretofore made or ordained hereby ratifying and confirming this and this only to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the Day and year above written.
Jacob [HB his mark] Bichler [seal]
Signed sealed published and declared as the last Will and Testament of the said Jacob Bichler in the Presence of us who at his request do Witness the same Stewart Herbert, William Skiles Henery Skiles [his mark]
Lancaster County SS October the 25th 1757 Before me the Subscriber same William skiles and Nenry Skiles two of the Witnesses to the above written Will and on their Corporate oaths did depose and say that they were present and saw and heard Jacob Bichler the testator above named Sign Seal Publish Pronounce and declare the above and within writing as and for his last Will & Testament & that at the doing thereof he was of Sound and disposing Mind Memory and Understanding according to the best of their Knowledge Observation & Belief
P Edward Shippen D Register
Be it Remembered that on the 25th Day of October 1757 The Last Will and Testament of Jacob Bichler deceased was proved in due form of Law and Probate and Letters Testamentory were granted unto Henry Ritter and Nathaniel Lightner the Executors in the said Testament named they being first duly Qualified well and truly to Administer the said Decedents Estate to bring an inventory thereof unto the Registers Office at Lancaster on or before the 25th Day of November next And also to render a true and just Account of their said Administration when thereto lawfully required
Given under the Seal of the said office
P Edw Shippen
Deputy Register