George Beelman (1786-1869)
Cumberland County; Will Book O, Page 237
In the name of God amen I
George Beelman (senior) of
Upper Allen Township in the county of
Cumberland and
State of Pennsylvania (carpenter) being in perfect health and of sound mind memory and understanding but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do make and publish my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit: First It is my will and I do order that all my just debts and funeral expenses be duly paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be after my decease. Item: I give and bequeath unto
my dear wife Eve the dwelling house and buildings where we now live together with the land hereto belonging being about fifty-five acres now in my present possession so as not to include the lots under rent nor the
Frilton Lot. She to have as much of my household and kitchen furniture as she may choose to elect out of what maybe in my dwelling house at the time of my decease and all of my tubs and kettles in and about my shining house during her natural lifetime: - also it is my will that
my beloved wife Eve to have the income of four thousand one hundred dollars of Government Bonds during her natural lifetime - further it is my will that
my wife Eve to have absolutely my Black mare and all of my flock of cattle and hogs which may be on hands at the time of my decease: all of which bequist to my said wife I do hereby declare to be in lieu and instead of her dower at commonlaw. Item - I give and bequeath unto
my son George the lot house and stable where he now occupies to him and his heirs and assigns forever: He the said
George to be charged six hundred dollars for the said lot in a settlement of my estate, also I give unto
my son George Lot No. 9 of land lying in the township of
Ritchmond Huron County and
State of Ohio known lot no. 9 in section second to him and his heirs and assigns forever. He the said
George to be charged eighteen hundred dollars for the land one half thereof to be due one year after my death the other half in two equal annual payments next after without interest. But if
my said son George should think the land two dear then in that case he is authorized to choose three disinterested men who are to value and appraise the said land he
my son George to have the said lot at its appraised value. But if
my son George then should think the lot two high appraised in price then my executor to make sale of the said land the proceeds thereof to be divided equally amongst my heirs. -Item I give and bequeath unto
my three sons George John and Adam all my carpenter tools my said three sons to divide the said tools between themselves. Share and share alike. Item - I give and bequeath unto
my son Joseph the South and North lots of my land lying in the second section in the township of
Ritchmond Huron County and
State of Ohio known as lots number ten and fifteen in said section to him and his heirs and assigns forever. He the said
Joseph to be charged four thousand five hundred dollars for the said two lots of land one half thereof to be due one year after my death the other half in two equal annual payments next after without interest. The said four thousand five hundred dollars to be a lien on the said land until final settlement of my estate. Item: I give and bequeath unto
my daughter Fanny the lot house and stable with the appurtenances where she now lives during her natural lifetime and at her death the said lot house and stable to descend to her children their heirs and assigns forever. The said lot house and stable is to be charged to
my daughter Fanny at eight hundred dollars at settlement of my estate. Item: I give and bequeath unto
my daughter Sarah Miller the lot of ground which I bought of the estate of
John Frilton dec'd during her natural lifetime,
my said daughter Sarah to have possession of the said lot at the death of my said widow and at the death of
my daughter Sarah the said lot of ground to go to her children their heirs and assigns forever:
My daughter Sarah to be charged at settlement of my estate with five hundred and fifty dollars for the said lot of ground. And as touching all the remainder and residue of my real and personal estate not herein before provided for shall be sold within one or two years after my decease at the discretion of my executor either at public or private sale for the best price that can be got for it, my executor to have full power to sell and convey my real estate in fee simple. My whole estate real and personal not herein before bequeathed shall be reduced to cash - my executor retaining the sufficient amount of Bonds out of my estate deducting expenses to be divided into six equal shares and distributed in the following manner. viz. Item I give and bequeath unto
my son George the one sixth part of my whole estate including the six hundred dollars for the aforesaid lot and the charges made in payments against him together with the price of the tract of land in the township of
Ritchmond Huron County and
State of Ohio known as lot no. 9 in Section 2nd if he shall do elect to take the said tract of land. - Item: I give and bequeath unto
my son John the one sixth part of my whole estate including the charges made in my book against him. Item: I give and bequeath unto
my son Adam the one sixth part of my whole estate including the charges made in my book against him. Item I give and bequeath unto
my son Joseph the one sixth part of my whole estate including the charges made in my book against him. Item: I give and bequeath unto
my daughter Fanny the one sixth part of my whole estate including the charges made in my book against her and eight hundred dollars for the aforesaid lot I bequeathed to her and her children as aforesaid. Item: I give and bequeath unto
my daughter Sarah Miller the one sixth part of my whole estate including the charges made in my book against her and five hundred fifty dollars for the lot of ground I bequeathed to her and her children the said charge on my book and the five hundred and fifty dollars for the said lot of ground are first to be taken out of
my daughter Sarah's share then the balance of the said full share to be left a lien in the two lots of land which I bequeathed to
my son Joseph the interest whereof to be paid by
my son Joseph yearly and every year to my daughter Sarah so long as she remains to be the wife of
George Miller. But in case her said husband should die before her, then in that case she is receive the said balance of her full share secured in the two lots of land in the State of Ohio into her own hands but in case that
my daughter Sarah should decease before her said husband then her share to descend to her children and if one of her children should die in its minority after her death then its share to fall to its brothers and sisters and if all of her children should die after her in their minority then in that case her whole share shall fall back to her brothers and sisters share and share alike. It is further my will that whatever portion of my estate which may be left at the death of my said widow shall be sold and the net proceeds thereof together with all money not appropriated shall be equally divided amongst my heirs in the same manners aforesaid. And lastly I nominate constitute and appoint
my son George to be executor of this will hereby revoking 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
George Beelman the testator have to this my will written on two sheets of paper, set my hand and seal this nineteenth day of February in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven.
George Beelman (seal)
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Notes:
- The date given (February, 19th, 1867) is not consistent with the date as it was read on the gravestone (January 6, 1866). The gravestone is very difficult to read. The date may have been read incorrectly.
- The will was proven and affirmed by the witnesses, Christian Heartzler and Daniel Bailey, on January 12, 1869. George most likely died on January 6, 1869.
- Because Fanny's husband, Daniel Maust, was not mentioned, it is possible that the will was penned after Daniel's death in July, 1866. This supports the later date.
- Joseph is buried in Huron County, Ohio.
- A search of deeds should reveal more about the Ohio properties and the "Frilton Lot".
