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Estate Record of Jacob Keely Sr. Berks County, Register of Wills, Book R Letters Testamentary in Common form under the Seal of office were granted to Henry Keely and John Stauffer the Executors therein named – they being duly qualified thereto according to law. The Last Will and Testament of Jacob Keely Sr. In the name of God Amen I Jacob Keely of Douglass Township in the County of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, farmer, do make this my last Will and Testament in the following manner to wit - First: I commit my Soul into the hands of God who gave it and my body to be Buried at the discretion of my Executors herein after named. And of my worldly estate I dispose as followeth. Second: It is my will that all my debts and funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently may be after my decease by my Executors. Third: I give and bequeath unto Joseph Freed during his natural life all that certain house and lot of land which he now occupies, situate in Douglass Township aforesaid on the north side of the Philadelphia road. Beginning on the upper or north side of said road in a line of Henry Keely’s land thence along the same to about six perches above the stable on said lot thence forming a right angle on said Keely’s line to the next fence running down towards the old lime kiln in said road, thence along said fence to the said road then along the said road to the place of Beginning, containing six acres more or less. And after the decease of the said Joseph Freed I give and bequeath the said lot unto his present wife Elizabeth during her natural life provided she remains a widow and after her decease or marriage I give and devise the same unto the children or legal representative of the said Joseph Freed by his present wife Elizabeth and to their Heirs and Assigns forever. Fourth: I give and devise unto Daniel Dennis and to his Heirs and Assigns forever all that certain house and lot of land now occupied by him situate in Douglass Township adjoining Henry Keel’s land, the Pine Forge road and my other land, as the same is now enclosed by a fence with the appurtenances containing three acres more or less. Fifth: I give and devise unto William Freed and to his Heirs and Assigns forever a certain lot of land situate in Douglass Township aforesaid. Beginning on Pine Forge road in a line of Henry Keely’s land thence by the lot herein devised to Daniel Dannis[sic] to the end of that line thence South of my meadow to the meadow lot which I bought from Jacob Albright thence along the said lot including the same to the said Pine Forge road on a line of Henry Keely’s land thence along Henry Keely’s land to the place of Beginning containing eight acres more or less. Sixth: I give and devise unto Henry Keely of Douglass Township aforesaid (son of my brother John Keely dec’d) The principal mansion house which I now occupy and all the remainder rest and residue of my real estate situate in Douglass Township aforesaid or elsewhere or containing two hundred and sixty acres more or less together with all and singular the buildings and improvements rights member and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining, to hold the same to him the said Henry Keely his Heirs and Assigns forever. Subject to the payment of six thousand eight hundred dollars in the following manner to wit two thousand dollars part thereof at the time he takes possession of said plantation, eight hundred dollars more thereof one year thereafter, eight hundred dollars more thereof two years thereafter, eight hundred dollars more thereof three years thereafter, eight hundred dollars more thereof four years thereafter, eight hundred dollars more thereof five years thereafter, eight hundred dollars residue thereof six years thereafter all without interest. 7th - I give and bequeath unto Henry Sassaman Junior one hundred and fifty dollars. 8th - I give and bequeath unto Maria Sassaman now the wife of Christian Sassaman, the sum of four hundred dollars for her sole and separate use exclusive of her husband. 9th - I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Drumheller now the wife of John Groff the sum of one hundred dollars for her sole and separate use exclusive of her husband. 10 - I give and bequeath unto Polly Drumheller now the wife of Peter Spotz the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars for her sole and separate use exclusive o her husband. 11 - I give and bequeath unto Sally Herpst now the wife of Simon Groff the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars for her sole and separate use exclusive of her husband. 12 - I give and bequeath unto Sarah Groff now the wife of William Royer the sum of one hundred dollars for the sole and separate use exclusive of her husband. 13 - I give and bequeath unto Rebecca Sassaman now the wife of Isaac Reidnour the sum of one hundred dollars for her sole and separate use exclusive of her husband. 14 - I give and bequeath unto Jacob Moyer (son of the said Rebecca by her first husband) one hundred dollars apart of which shall be applied toward his education. 15 - I give and bequeath unto John Baker (grandson of my brother John) two hundred dollars. 16 - I give and bequeath unto Chesty[?] Witman now the wife of Abraham Mengel one hundred dollars for her sole and separate use exclusive of her husband. 17 - I give and bequeath unto Magdalena Kline, widow of John Kline deceased, three hundred dollars. 18 - I give and bequeath unto Lydia Groff daughter of John Groff three hundred dollars and one cow of my stock for her sole and separate use exclusive to any husband. 19 - I give and bequeath unto Joshua Keely son of Jacob Keely Jr. deceased. One hundred dollars. [Son of Jacob Keely Jr, grandson of John Keely] John named his son Jacob after his brother Jacob, thus the Jr. & Sr. was added to their names. Jacob Jr. is Jacob Sr.`s nephew. Jacob Keely Sr. [who`s will this is] had NO offspring with his wife Catherine [Sassaman] Keely. 20. I give and bequeath unto John Sassaman (son of my brother in law John Sassaman dec’d) one hundred and fifty dollars. 21. I give and bequeath unto Catharine Kerlin now the wife of John Leaver the sum of one hundred dollars. [Jacob Keely’s sister Mary married Samuel Kirlin] 22. I give and bequeath unto Jacob Albright (son of my sister) two hundred dollars. [Jacob Keely’s sister Elizabeth married John Albright] 23. I give and bequeath unto Polly Kirlin wife of Abraham Zimmerman two hundred dollars for her sole and separate use exclusive of her husband. [Jacob Keely’s sister Mary married Samuel Kirlin] 24. I give and bequeath unto Amelia, Mary, Elizabeth and Lusiana the children of Jacob Keely late of Douglass Township aforesaid deceased the sum of one hundred dollars each for their sole and separate use exclusive of any husband respectively. [These are the minor grandchildren of John Keely, John`s son Jacob Keely Jr. and his wife Elizabeth (nee Lupold)`s children.] 25. I give and bequeath unto the five youngest children of my brother in law Henry Sassaman dec’d living at the time of my decease the sum of seventy five dollars each a part of which shall be applied toward their education. 26. I give and bequeath unto Sally Leaver daughter of John Leaver one hundred and fifty dollars, for her sole and separate use exclusive of any husband. 27. I give and bequeath unto Polly Trout daughter of George Trout of Colebrookdale one hundred and fifty dollars. 28. I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Mee now the wife of [blank] Lord, one hundred Dollars for her sole and separate use exclusive of her husband. 29. I give and bequeath unto Jacob Folmer (son of Jacob), whom I have raised, the sum of one hundred dollars. 30. I give and bequeath unto William Freed one thousand dollars, one horse and one cow of my stock his choice and the bed wherein I sleep. 31. I give and bequeath unto Augustus Freed two hundred dollars and the bed wherein he sleeps and one cow of my stock. 32. I give and bequeath unto Joseph, Henry, Jonas, Jacob, John, and Amelia the children of Joseph Freed the sum of fifty dollars each. 33. I give and bequeath the sum of two hundred dollars to the German Reformed Congregation at Boyertown in Colebrookdale Township to be put out on interest until a wall is build[sic] around the graveyard and then the same shall be applied towards the payment thereof on the part of the Reformed Congregation and for such other purposes as may be thought proper. 34. It is my will that no hay, straw or manure shall be sold but shall go with the plantation devised to Henry Keely as aforesaid. 35. It is my will that the whole of my personal Estate not herein otherwise directed shall be sold as soon as convenient. 36. It is my will that all the rest and residue of my estate shall be divided into two equal shares. One share thereof I give and bequeath unto my brother Henry Keely and the other share thereof I give and bequeath unto Henry Keely son of my brother John Keely. To hold the same to them their Heirs and Assigns forever. [Johannes Keely (b.12-5-1742 d.1-22-1822), brother of Jacob Keely, is buried at the Fritz Cemetery in Douglass Township, Berks County] 37. I give and bequeath unto Catharine Sassaman wife of John Fritz (Junior) two hundred dollars for her sole and separate use exclusive of her husband. 38. I give and bequeath unto Mary Leaver wife of Jacob Boyer one hundred dollars for her sole and separate use exclusive of her husband. 39. It is my will that in case any of my outstanding monies should be lost or can not be recovered by my Executors the losses shall be borne and deducted from all the Legatees in proportion to the dollars. 40. I give and bequeath unto Rebecca Sassaman, daughter of Jacob Sassaman fifty dollars. Lastly I nominate constitute and appoint Henry Keely (son of my brother John) of Douglass Township and John Stauffer of Colebrookdale Township Berks County to be the Executor of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and declaring null and void all other wills legacies and bequests by me heretofore made and declaring this and no other to be my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof, I the said Jacob Keely to this my last Will and Testament contained in two sheets of paper so fixed together have on this last sheet set my hand and seal and on the other my hand on the 17th day of February 1837. Signed: Jacob Keely Signed sealed pronounced and declared by the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in presence of us who have at his request subscribed our names as witness. Witnesses: John Mauger and Tobias Fischer Codicil to the will of Jacob Keely February 17, 1837 I Jacob Keely the Testator named in the annexed will bearing date the 17th February 1837, do hereby authorize and empower Henry Keely and John Stauffer the Executors in the said will named, to sign seal, execute and acknowledge Deeds to William Freed and Daniel Dennis for the lots respectively devised to them by the said Will as good as I myself could do if living and also a Deed to Joseph Freed for the lot devised to him but only for the uses and purposes mentioned in my said will and I further authorize and empower John Stauffer the one of the Executors in my said will named , to sign seal execute and acknowledge a Deed to Henry Keely (son of my brother John Keely) for the Plantation and land devised to him by said will as good as I myself could do if living. And further I do hereby give and bequeath unto Jacob Albright (son of my sister) three hundred dollars in addition to the two hundred dollars given him by my said will. [Jacob Keely’s sister Elizabeth married John Albright] I also give unto William Freed my clock and case in addition to what I have given him by my said will. I also give and bequeath unto Levi Sassaman and Rebecca Sassaman who are no living with me each the sum of fifty dollars. Berks County filed on the 14th day of April A. D. 1840, then appeared John Mauger, Tobias Fisher and John Nester witness to the foregoing Will and this codicil thereto annexed and being duly sworn according to law did depose and say that they were present and did see and hear the Testator Jacob Keely, sign, seal, publish, pronounce and declare the foregoing as and for his last Will and Testament and that at the time of the doing thereof he the said Testator was of sound mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge, observation and belief. Signed: Joel Ritter, Register 2nd Codicil to the will of Jacob Keely January 15, 1840 I Jacob Keely the Testator in the annexed Will named do hereby make and publish this second codicil to be added to my last Will and Testament bearing date the 17 day of February 1837 in manner following to wit. It is my will and I hereby give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Keely (daughter of Jacob Keely dec’d) three hundred and fifty dollars in addition to what I have given here by my said will. [Elizabeth was one of the four granddaughters of Jacob Keely Sr., daughters of Jacob Keely Jr.] Item I give and bequeath unto Doctor Charles Keely one hundred dollars. [ Henry Keely (b. April 20, 1773 died April 24, 1842) and Catharine Boyer (b. April 4, 1779 d. August 22, 1838) married on August 31, 1797, according to Falkner Swamp church record. They had a son, Charles Keely (b. Apr. 7, 1807) who was a physician.] Item I give and bequeath unto John Nester two hundred dollars and my stud horse. Item I give and bequeath unto Levi and Rebecca Sassaman each one bed. Item I give and bequeath unto Catharine Leaver wife of John Leaver one hundred dollars in addition to what I have given her by my said will. Item I give and bequeath unto John Nester, Elizabeth Keely, Rebecca Sassaman, Levi Sassaman, Lydia Groff, Polly Trout and William Freed, Jacob Freed, all my coverlids[sic] and cloth lying on my chest and all the linen in the chest and flax to be equally divided amongst them except only that Polly Trout shall have only half as much as one of the rest. and in case they can not agree in dividing the same John Stauffer shall divide or cause the same to be divided which shall be binding on all of them Item it is now my will that Augustus Freed shall not have the bed bequeathed to him by my said will. Item it is my will that my Plantation shall be farmed for the use of my estate to the first day of April one thousand eight hundred and forty one under the care and direction of my Executors and all my household goods, farming utensils, and life [sic] stock shall be kept and used on my said plantation until the said 1 April 1841. And my Executors shall employ John Nester, William Freed, Joseph Freed and Elizabeth Keely and Polly Trout to the said day of April 1841 and shall pay them good wages. Provided they shall and do conduct themselves as good and faithful people ought to do and my said Executors shall also keep and clothe Rebecca and Levi Sassaman to said 1 day of April 1841. Item It is my will that on or about the first day April one thousand eight hundred and forty one the [part] of my personal estate not otherwise bequeathed shall be sold by my said Executors at public or private sale. Item it is my will that Henry Keely (son of my brother John Keely) shall take possession of my said Plantation with the appurtenances bequeathed to him by my said will on 1 day of April on thousand eight hundred and forty one. Item It is my will that the horses, cows, beds, linen coverlids[sic] shall be delivered to the respective Legatees at any convenient time before the 1 day of April 1841. And lastly it is my will that this my codicil be annexed and made a part of my said will witness my hand and seal the 15th day of January, 1840. Signed: Jacob Keely Witnesses: John Mauger and Tobias Fisher Codicil #3 to the will Jacob Keely January 20, 1840 I Jacob Keely the Testator in the annexed will named do hereby make and publish this third codicil to be added to my last Will and Testament bearing date the 17 day of February 1837 in manner following to wit I do hereby give and bequeath unto John Stauffer my ten shares of stock standing in my name in the Farmers Bank of Reading – witness my hand and seal the 20 day of January 1840. Signed Jacob Keely Witnesses present: Johannes Nester and Tobias Fisher Executors Account for Estate of Jacob Keely Dec’d July 2, to August 6th, 1841 Confirmed and Entered into R - Book 14, page 77, 1841 The account of Henry Keely and John Stauffer, Executors of the last Will and Testament of Jacob Keely, late of Douglass Township Berks County the State of Pennsylvania, Deceased. A.D. 1840 The said Accountants credit themselves with the following payments, Bonds & Notes, not recoverable to wit –
July 1, 1841 – The Executors deem it proper to state in order to avoid difficulty hereafter, that although they have stated a joint account, yet all the monies, embraced in this account have been received by Henry Keely, one of the Executors alone and also paid out by him to creditors, and legatees, so far as the same have been received and paid. And further that one half of the balance due the estate bequeathed to Henry Keely a brother of said testator amounting to one thousand nine hundred forty five dollars and 59 ½ cents has also been paid to him by the said Henry Keely one of the executors before the filing of this account. And also that the said Henry Keely, Executor and son of Testator brother John Keely to whom the other half of said balance is bequeathed, has also received and retained his share thereof in full before the filing of this account, amounting to the sum of $1,945 and 59 ½ cents. July 1, 1841, Errors Excepted Signed: Henry Keely and John Stauffer
Berks County SS. I do hereby certify that the within is a true and correct copy of the original account rendered by Henry Keely and John Stauffer Executors of Jacob Keely dec’d as full and entire as the same remains filed in the Registers Office at Reading and County aforesaid. In Testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal of office this 2nd day of July A.D. 1841. Signed: Joel Ritter, Register
Taken and appraised by as the subscribers the 28 & 29th days of April 1840 Signed: Jacob Van Reed and Jacob Romich Berks County SS Be it known that on the 29th day of April 1840 before me the subscribers a Justice of the Peace in and for said county came the above named Jacob VanReed and Jacob Romich who being qualified according to law do declare and say that the foregoing Inventory contains a just and true appraisement of the goods and chattels rights and credits which were of the said Jacob Keely deceased so far as the same came to their knowledge. Witness my hand and seal the day and year above written. Signed: Israel R. Jacobs [?]
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