In the name of God Amen. I the undersigned living in Swatara Twp.,
Lebanon County in the state of Pennsylvania, thanks be to God I am still
of sound mind & body. Since the time of my death is unsure, I wish to
write my last will and testament.
In order, first my piece of ground or plantation where I am now
living with everything, 1/2 of the fulling mill and those harnesses and
everything that goes with them (tools,etc.) to my son Joseph. My youngest
son Joseph Lichti, is to pay $4,200.00, $100.00 yearly, as long as my
widow lives. After her death, he has to pay yearly $200.00 until everything
is paid for the homestead. In case he doesn't want the homestead, then he
should give his oldest brother Henry the first opportunity to buy it,
paying as above, one year from my death. Anything else, he leaves to the
Executors. Furthermore, my beloved wife, Magdalena, has 1/2 the house with
the use of the kitchen and the stove, also the garden, as much as it takes
for her to plant. My son, Joseph, is to give his mother yearly 10 bushels
of wheat, 10 bushels of corn, 10 bushels of fruit, and as much fuel as it
takes for heating the house. Her sons are to bring her places, wherever
she wants to go, and bring her home. They are to give her food for one cow,
and the ground for the cow's pasture. Every year, my widow is to get 200
lbs. of pork meat, 100 lbs. of beef and she has the right to choose anything
she needs from the household. She has the chance to choose her horse, wagon
and harness. She also gets yearly the interest on $1,000.00 as long as she
lives.
Finally, I name my Executors over my estate, namely, Henry, Samuel and
Johannes, my three sons. In my will, I give my son, Joseph, my small wagon
and my hay ladder and the boards that go with it and also the young brown
horse and its harness. I also give him a plough and other farm equipment.
This is my last will and testament in my own handwriting, 20 May 1830.
Henrich Licht.
(Translated from the original in the German language)