So then to muddy the waters a little more, here is a reminder of an old post of the 1851 Will of the unmarried Elizabeth Bushong, sister of Mary Bushong who married Samuel Cowan. ------------------ Lancaster County Court House At Lancaster, Pennsylvania Wills Book Y Pages 601-603 Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah Film #21366 Written 20 September 1851 Probated 14 November 1866 In the name of God Amen. I Elizabeth Bushong, of Earl township, Lancaster County and State of Pennsylvania, being in tolerable good health of body and of sound mind. memory and understanding considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make and publish this my last will and testament, in manner and form following, to wit: FIRST. It is my will and I do order and direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be fully paid as soon as can be done after my decease. ITEM. I order and direct that all my real and my personal estate be sold as soon as conveniently and advantageously can be done after my decease, for the use of my estate, and hereby empower and authorize my Executors hereinafter named, or the survivor of them to execute a good and lawful deed to the purchaser of my real estate, or good and lawful deeds to the purchasers thereof, should there be more than one purchaser. ITEM. All give and bequeath unto John Caldwell, a boy that is now with me, one hundred and fifty dollars. ITEM. All the rest and residue of my estate I give and bequeath unto the twenty nine hereinafter named legatees in equal shares or share and share alike. to wit: John Bushong, Jacob Bushong, Caroline the wife of Joseph Morrison, Lydia the wife of Abraham Rakestraw, Gilbert Bushong (these five legatees are children of my brother Henry Bushong;), Sarah the wife of Jacob Brubaker, Benjamin Bushong, Lydia the wife of Isaac Landis, Elizabeth the wife of John Johns, John H. Bushong, Mary the wife of Christian Neff, Susanna Bushong, Harriet, the wife of John N. Kreider, Hannah Bushong, (these nine legatees are children of my brother Jacob Bushong;), Leah the wife of Joel Bair, Magdalena the wife of Peter Stauffer, Isaac Bushong, Amos Bushong, Henry Bushong, John M. Bushong, Daniel Bushong, Ann Bushong, Israel Bushong (these nine legatees are children of my brother John Bushong;), Hannah the wife of Michael Hess, Amos Cowen, Samuel Cowen, Mary the wife of Daniel Zuck, (these four legatees are children of my sister Mary Cowen;), Mary Reiter the wife of Jermiah Reiter, and Andrew Cain, or to the respective heirs of the said legatees. ITEM. The said Mary Reiter and Andrew Cain are the persons who lived a long time with me. ITEM. Should any of the aforenamed legatees be minors at the time of the distribution of my estate, then and in such case, I appoint my Executors or the survivor of them to be Guardian of such minors, during their respective minorities. AND LASTLY, I nominate, constitute and appoint my two brothers Jacob Bushong and John Bushong or the survivor of them to be the Executors or Executor of this my last will and testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twentieth day of September A.D. One thousand eight hundred and fifty one (1851). Elizabeth Bushong, Seal Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by Elizabeth Bushong, the testatrix as and for her last will and testament, in the presence of us who in her presence and at her request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. Daniel S. Landis David N. Landis ----------- CODICIL TO WILL- 28 January 1865 I Elizabeth Bushong, the within named testatrix, do hereby make and publish this Codicil to be added to and taken as part of my last will and testament as follows: Whereas I have bequeathed to Mary Reiter, an equal portion of my estate in the general distribution of the same, and whereas I have already given said Mary certain advantages, I hereby direct that said bequest shall be void and she shall not draw anything further out of my estate, and Thereby bequeath out of said share the sum of fifteen dollars to Elizabeth Reiter (daughter of said Mary Reiter) her heirs and assigns. And the remainder of said share I hereby bequeath to the vestry of the German Reformed Congregation at Hellers Church, in Upper Leacock township, Lancaster County, in trust for the use of said Congregation, as a perpetual fund, the interest of which at five per centum, shall be annually applied by the Deacons of said Congregation, and their successors for ever hereafter, to the pastors salary or repairs of the Church edifice, fences or any other object most needing the same in said Congregation. The Deacons and Elders together and their successor shall at all times hereafter be severally responsible for the principal sum. And further, I in all respects confirm my foregoing will and desire that the same may be carried into effect in all respects in connection with this Codicil. In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal the twenty eighth day of January A.D. Eighteen hundred and sixty five. Elizabeth Bushong, her mark and Seal Signed, sealed and declared by the above named Elizabeth Bushong as and for a Codicil to her foregoing will in our presence, who at her request in the presence of each other have hereto subscribed our names as witnesses. F. Aug. Gast C. L. Hoffman --------- LANCASTER COUTNY SS On the 14th day of November 1866 before me the subscriber personally appeared Daniel S. Landis and David N. Landis, the subscribing witnesses to the preceding will, and on their solemn Affirmation did declare and say that they were present and saw and heard Elizabeth Bushong, the testatrix therein named, sign, seal, publish, pronounce and declare the same to be her last will and testament, and that at the time of the doing thereof she was of sound and well disposing mind, memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge, observation and belief. John Johns, Deputy Register LANCASTER COUNTY SS On the 27th day of November 1866 before me the subscriber personally appeared C. L. Hoffman one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing Codicil, and on his solemn Affirmation did declare and say that he was present and saw and heard Elizabeth Bushong, the testatrix therein named sign, seal, publish, pronounce and declare the same to be annexed and made a part of her last will and testament, and that at the time of the doing thereof she was of sound and well disposing mind, memory and understanding to the best of his knowledge, observation and belief. John Johns, Deputy Register LANCASTER COUNTY SS On the 26th day of November 1866 before me the subscriber personally appeared Christian Gast and on his solemn Affirmation did declare and say that he is well acquainted with the handwriting of F. Aug. Gast, one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing Codicil (........) and has frequently seen him write and verily believes the signature attached to said Codicil as a witness to be the genuine handwriting of the said F. Aug. Gast, to the best of his knowledge, observation and belief. John Johns, Deputy Register November 27, 1866. Letters testamentary granted to Jacob Bushong and John Bushong, the Executors named in the annexed will, they being duly Affirmed well and truly to Administer the goods and chattels, rights and credits which were of the testator according to law and also faithfully and diligently regard and well and truly comply with the provisions of the laws, relating to Collateral Inheritances. John Johns, Deputy Register ---------------- Transcribed and Submitted by Russell and Gloria Bushong