"LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF PETER RITTER"

Peter Ritter
written:
2/24/1769 deceased


    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 a 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 creative enjoyments, I give and bequeath
    the same; thus!

    I will and allow, that all my just debts amd 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, 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 sum of ten
    pounds.

    I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Elizabeth Ritter, (daughter
    of said Mary) the sum of ten pounds.  All said cash legacies in
    Pennsylvania currency, and to be put to interestuntil my said grand
    children 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 neighbors, William Hamilton, of said township and David Watson,
    of Leacock Township, said County, yeomen, to be my executors of this
    my last will and testament, hereby revoking and disannulling all
    former or other will or wills, testament or testaments by one hitherto
    had or made, and confirming this and this alone, to be my last will
    and testament.  In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and
    seal, this twenty fourth day of February, anno domini, one thousand
    seven hundred and sixty nine.



                                        his

                                  Peter X Ritter

                                        mark

    Signed, sealed, published,
    & declared in presence of:

    Stewart Herbert, Willm Skiles, Wm Rutter.

    Willm Rutter, one of the witnesses sworn, (the other not to be
    found), the 5th day of January, 1792.  Coram me, James Hopkins,
    Dept of Register.