Ludwig Heldt ¹

   Another name for Ludwig was Ludwig Held.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. He signed a will on 25 Feb 1776 in Cumru Twp., Berks, PA. ² Summary of the Last Will and Testament of Ludwig Heldt, a German immigrant living in Cumru Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. The document is written in 18th-century German Kurrent script, with the final probate section (on page 3) written in English. The will is indexed in Berks County records as Held.

The will was signed on February 25, 1776, and probated on April 26, 1777, meaning Ludwig likely passed away in early 1777, just as the American Revolutionary War was intensifying.

Below is the translation and summary of the three pages.

Page 1: Preamble and Initial Provisions

Summary: Ludwig declares his identity and location. He notes he is weak in body but sound of mind. He provides for his burial and the payment of his debts.

Identity: "I, Ludwig Heldt, in Cumru Township in Berks County in Pennsylvania..."

Health: He states he is weak in body but thanks God for his "good understanding and memory."

Soul and Body: He commends his soul into the hands of God and his body to the earth "from which it was taken."

Debts: He orders that all his lawful debts and funeral expenses be paid out of his movable property (personal estate) by his executors.

Land Management: If the movable property is not enough to pay the debts, the executors have the power to lease or manage the land to generate funds.

Provision for the Wife: He mentions his wife (named on the next page) is to receive an annuity of 15 Pounds of Pennsylvania currency annually from the income of the land.

Page 2: Distribution to Wife and Children

Summary: This page details how the farm and remaining money are to be divided between his wife, Maria Magdalena, and his five children.

The Widow's Share:

Maria Magdalena Heldt is to remain in the house.

She is to have a "decent room" in the house and her bed.

Once the estate is settled, she is to receive the interest from 100 Pounds for her support as long as she remains a widow.

The Sons (Johannes and Ludwig):

When the youngest son reaches 21 years of age, the sons Johannes Heldt and Ludwig Heldt are to take possession of the land (the plantation).

They are to hold the land as "Tenants in Common."

The Daughters and General Inheritance:

He names his three daughters: Anna Maria, Maria Elisabeth, and Maria Catharina.

After the debts are paid and the wife's portion is set aside, the remainder of the money from the sale of personal property and the land is to be divided equally among all five children.

Page 3: Executors, Signature, and Probate

Summary: Ludwig names his executors and signs the document. The bottom half is the English certification from the court.

Executors: He appoints his "trusted friend" Isaac Frey (of Reading) and his "brother-in-law" Rudolph Haberling (of Cumru Township) as executors.

Date of Signing: February 25, 1776.

The Mark: Ludwig Heldt signed with his mark (L H), which was common if the testator was too ill to write their full name or was primarily literate in a different script.

Witnesses: William Reeser and John Heckert.

Probate (English Section):

Dated April 26, 1777, at Reading, Berks County.

William Reeser and John Heckert appeared before Henry Christ, the Register of Wills, to swear that they saw Ludwig Heldt sign the will and that he was of sound mind at the time.

Key Family Names Found:

Testator: Ludwig Heldt (Held)

Wife: Maria Magdalena Heldt

Sons: Johannes and Ludwig

Daughters: Anna Maria, Maria Elisabeth, and Maria Catharina

Brother-in-law: Rudolph Haberling

Friend: Isaac Frey

Historical Note:

The mention of "Pennsylvania Currency" is important; at this time, Pennsylvania issued its own paper money, which was distinct from British Sterling. His use of the term "Tenants in Common" for his sons shows he wanted them to own the land jointly rather than subdividing the farm into smaller, potentially unviable plots.

English Translation of Will (see Original German below)

The Last Will of Ludwig Heldt

I. Preamble and Burial

I, Ludwig Heldt, of Cumru Township in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Being weak and sick in body, yet thanks be to God, still of good understanding and memory. Considering the mortality of mankind, I hereby make my Last Will and Testament and divide my worldly goods in the following manner:

First, I commend my immortal soul into the hand of God who gave it to me, and my body to be buried in the earth in the Christian manner from which it was taken. All my lawful debts shall be paid from my estate by my Executors, who shall be named hereafter.

II. Disposal of Personal Property

Secondly, it is my will and I order that my Executors, as soon as may be conveniently possible after my death, shall sell all my movable goods and livestock at public vendue [auction]. The money realized shall be used to pay my debts as far as it may reach.

III. Management of the Land and Provision for the Wife

Thirdly, it is my will that my Executors shall have full power and authority to lease out all my land in Cumru as they see fit. The annual rents shall be used to pay my remaining debts and to provide for my wife as follows:

As long as the land is leased, my wife shall receive annually from my Executors 15 pounds, 15 bushels of rye, and 5 pounds of current Pennsylvania money.

She shall also receive the fourth bushel of wheat.

A proper dwelling house shall be built for her on said land for her to live in, and firewood shall be provided for her.

A half-acre of land shall be fenced with a post-and-rail fence, and a stable shall be built for one cow for her use.

IV. Inheritance of the Real Estate

Fourthly, if my Executors find that my movable goods and several years of rent are sufficient to pay my debts and the aforementioned legacy to my wife, then I give and bequeath [in such case] all my land and plantation in Cumru Township to my sons, Johannes Heldt and Ludwig Heldt.

They shall take possession when the youngest reaches the age of 21 years, and not before.

They, their heirs, and assigns shall hold it forever as Tenants in Common.

They are bound to faithfully pay and fulfill all the above-mentioned provisions for my wife during her natural life.

V. Power of Sale (If Necessary)

Fifthly, should my Executors find it necessary at any time after my death to sell my land and plantation to pay debts (if the movable goods are insufficient), I give them full power and authority to sell the same and to sign, seal, and acknowledge a good Deed to the buyer forever.

VI. Distribution of the Cash Estate

Sixthly, after the debts are paid, I give and bequeath to my wife, Maria Magdalena Heldt, the sum of 100 pounds Pennsylvania currency forever. My Executors shall place 100 pounds on interest, from which she shall receive the annual interest for as long as she lives.

All the remaining money from the sale of my land shall be divided in equal shares among all my children:

Johannes Heldt

Ludwig Heldt

Maria Magdalena [Heldt]

Anna Maria [Heldt]

Maria Elisabeth [Heldt]

Maria Catharina Heldt

VII. Appointment of Executors

I appoint as Executors of this my Last Will and Testament my trusted friend, Isaac Frey of Reading, and my brother-in-law, Rudolph Haberling of Cumru Township. I hereby nullify all previous wills.

Signed and Sealed: February 25, 1776.

Witnesses: William Reeser, John Heckert.

Signature: Ludwig [LH mark] Heldt

Original German Will:

German Transcription:

Ich Ludwig Heldt in Cumru Township in Berks County in Pensilvania. Bin schwach und Krank am leibe noch doch Gott sey dank noch bey gutem Verstand und Gedächtnüß. Ich habe aber die sterblichkeit der menschen betrachtet Darum so mache ich hiermit mein Letzten Will und Testament. und theile meine weltliche Güter auff folgende weiß. Erstlich befehle ich meine unsterbliche Seele in die Hand Gottes welcher mir solche gegeben hat und meinen Leib nach der Weiße der Christen in die Erden zu begraben worauß er genommen war. und das alle meine Rechtmässige Schulden sollen bezahlet werden von meinem Vermögen. Durch meine Executors welche hernach sollen benennt werden. oder von dem überlebenden von ihnen. 2tens mein will ist und ich ordne das meine Executors so bald als es sich wohl möglich schicken kan nach meinem Tod sollen alle meine Bewegliche Güter und Vieh auf öffentlicher Vendu verkauffen und das gelößte Geld anwenden um meine schulden ab zu zahlen so ferne es sicht belauffen mag in facher Zahlung. 3tens mein will ist und ich ordne das meine Executors oder der überlebende von ihnen sollen völlige macht und gewalt haben all mein Land in Cumru zu verlehnen wie sie vor gut finden werden. und die Jährliche Renten anwenden an mein noch übrige schulden zu zahlen. und an mein Weib zu geben als folget = nemlich so lange das land verlehnet ist soll mein weib Jährlich Empfangen von meinem Executors. Fünfzehn Pfund Pfälzel weichen Fünfzehn Büschel Korn. Fünf Pfund gangbares geld von Pensilvania. Den Vierten Büschel Waizen und sollen ihr Ein...

Page 2: Distribution and Heirs

German Transcription:

...ordentlich wohn haus auff selbe Land bauen da sie zu wohnen und feier holtz darzu führen. ein halben acker land mit floß zaun zu bezäunen. auch einen stall bey ein Kuh zu bauen zu ihrer nützen. 4tens mein will ist und ich ordne oder daß wann meine Executors oder der überlebende von ihnen finden sollten daß meine bewegliche güter samt noch etliche Jahres Renten sollten hinlänglich sein oder das sie oder der überlebende vor gut finden meine schulden samt meines weibs obige Vermächtnüß zu zahlen, so ist mein wille und ich gebe und vermache [in solchem fall] alle mein land und Plantage in Cumru Township vor gemelt an meine Söhne Johannes Heldt und Ludwig Heldt zu solcher Zeit wann der Jüngste das alter von ein und zwanzig Jahr erreicht hat und nicht Eher; an sie und ihre Erben und Assigns vor Ewig, mit dem Beding daß sie zu solcher Zeit ein Jeder von meinen Söhnen an mein, und die übrige von meinen Kinder Zehen Pfund Pfälzel weichen soll oder doch von ihnen sollen es thun und sölche sein als es geschätzt wird sollen unter alle meine Kinder als Söhne und Töchter in gleich theil getheilt werden, und sollen sie und ihre Erben und Assigns verbinden sowie alles obige an mein weib Vermächt treulich und wohl zahlen und erfüllen Während Zeit ihres natürlichen Lebens als dann sollen sie es in gleich theil besitzen als Tenants in Common.

5tens halten aber meine Executors oder der überlebende von ihnen zu Einiger Zeit nach meinem Tod vor gut und nöthig finden um mein Land und Plantage zu verkaufen und die Schulden zu zahlen welches durch meine bewegliche güter wie oben gemelt nicht geschehen Könnte so gebe ich ihnen oder dem überlebenden von ihnen Völlige macht und gewalt solches zu Verkauffen. und ein gutes Deed zu unterschreiben. siegelen und Acknowledge an dem Käuffer und seine Erben und Assigns vor Ewig. 6tens mein will ist das nach dem solches Verrichtet worden und alle mein schulden bezahlet sind. so gebe und vermache ich an mein weib Maria Magdalena Heldt die summe von Einhundert Pfund gangbares geld von Pensilvania vor Ewig. und meine Executors sollen Einhundert Pfund auf Interessen legen von welchen sie die Jährliche Interessen von mein Executor Empfangen soll so lange sie lebet. als Ihren theil von meinem Vermögen. und alles übrige von solchem geld so von mein land ist gelöset worden soll unter alle meine Kinder in gleich theil getheilt werden als an Johannes Heldt, Ludwig Heldt, Maria Magdalena, Anna maria, Maria Elisabeth und Maria Catharina Heldt oder an ihre Erben so viel als deren werden nach dem waßen sie wird meinig sie von...

Page 3: Executors and Probate

German Transcription:

...Lettres ordiner Bestallte und benenne ich zu Executors über dieses mein Letzter will und Testament mein Vertrauter freund Isaac Frey in Reading und mein Schwager Rudolph Haberling in Cumru Township vor gemelt. und ich mache hiermit Null und nichtig alle und Jede will und testament von mir hievor gemacht und ich Ratificiere dieses zu sein mein Letzter will und testament Zum Zeignüß deßen habe ich meine Hand und siegel hiezu gesetzt am 25ten Tag February 1776.

Unter schrieben gesiegelt und als sein Letzten will öffentlich Bekannt Vor gemelter Ludwig heldt in unserer gegen wart.

William Reeser

John Heckert

Ludwig [LH Mark] Heldt

The English Probate Section

Reading in Berks County the 26th day of April 1777 then appeared personally William Reeser and John Heckert witnesses to the above written will and the said William Reeser on his Solemn affirmation and the said John Heckert upon his solemn oath on the Holy Evangelists of almighty God Did severally Depose and say that they were present and saw and Heard Ludwig Heldt the Testator therein named Sign Seal Pronounce publish and Declare the within writing to be his Last Will and Testament and that at the Time of Doing thereof he was of Sound mind memory and understanding as the verily believe who Subscribed their names Respectively as witnesses thereto at the Request and in the presence of the Testator.

Coram me: Henry Christ, Register.

Ludwig married.