"S. Pierce" wrote: > > there are 3 Etters listed in the York County Index of Wills, as follows: > > Etter, Henry................1848.....T-169 > Etter, Lawrence...........1805.....L-287 > Etter, Mary..................1818.....N-508 Lawrence's will reads as follows: Written: 7 May 1805 Proved: 11 Oct 1805 In the Name of the Lord Our God, Amen. I Lawrence Etter of Shrewsbury Township in the county of York and State of Pennsylvania, Waggonwright, being weak in Body, but of sound mind memory and understanding [blessed be the Lord for the same] but considering the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament, in the manner and form following, to wit. Principally and first of all, I commend my immortal soul into the hands of the Lord, who gave it, and my body to the earth, to be buried in a decent Christian like manner, at the discretion of my executors herein after named; and as to such worldly estate, wherewith it hath pleased the Lord to bless me in this life, I give and dispose of the same in the following manner, to wit. I will and ordain, that Mary my beloved wife shall keep full possession of my plantation, together with one horse, two of the choicest milk cows, and also all, or so much of all implements of husbandry and household furniture as she may chose or think necessary for carrying on the farming business and house keeping during her natural life or widowhood, as also all the stock of provision either of the barn, floor or cellar. I may be possessed of at my decease, I give and devise for the sole use of my said beloved wife: The rest of my personal estate, I ordain, that my executors dispose of the same by way of public vendue, and the money accruing therefrom together with such moneys I may possess at my decease, to be applied in the following manner, to wit, I give and bequeath unto my said beloved wife the sum of one hundred pounds lawful money, as a free and separate gift forever. Item, I ordain that the sum of sixty five pounds lawful money be equally divided between the five children of my said beloved wife Mary, in lieu of money left, or intended to be left to them by their grandfather Michael Swing late of Yorktown deceased, which said money was given into my hands for that purpose by the said deceased. In case that Mary my said beloved wife should incline to marry again, or become tired to live any longer on my said plantation in manner aforesaid, in either case, I give, bequeath and divise unto my said beloved wife the following articles, to wit- two cows, two beds, one chest, six chairs, one spinning wheel and reel, one tin plated stove and funnels thereto belonging, two iron pots with their lids, one brass kettle, three pewter dishes, twelve D. table spoons, six tea spoons, two pewter platters, six d. plates, six pair knives & forks, six bags, two tin pails, two washing tubs, two candlesticks, two frying pans, one whole and one half barrel, one shovle, one dung fork, one corn hoe, and one trammel, in all of which recited articles, she shall have a free choice from among the rest. Item, all linen furniture and weaving aparal, one house clock, one chest of drawers, all earthen and crockery ware, one kitchen dresser, one copper tea kettle, five shovle & tongs, one spade, one churn, one womans saddle, one meat tub, one large tin banister, one tin coffee pot, one skimmer, ladle and meat fork, one coffee mill, one pair of scales & weights, one tin lanthorn and all my books, to be held and possessed by her, my said beloved wife as a free and separate gift forever. I also will and ordain, that my executors forthwith do sell all my real and the remainder of my personal estate [except what is above excepted and divised] by way of public vendue, and the money accruing therefrom I order to be applied in the following manner, to wit. I give and divise unto Mary my beloved wife the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds lawful money to be paid her [out of the first moneys coming to the hand from the said sale of my estate] in full consideration for her dowry. Item, I order and direct, to each of my four sons, to wit, Jacob, Michael, George, and Lawrence Etter, the sum of Thirty pounds lawful money to be paid unto them respectively, as a full compensation for services rendered. Item, I order and direct to each of my two daughters, to wit, Catherine and Elizabeth, the sum of fifteen pounds lawful money, to be paid unto them respectively as a full compensation for services rendered. Item all the residue and remainder of all my estate not above disposed of I order & direct the same to be equally divided between my seven children, to wit, my sons Jacob, John, Michael, George, Lawrence and my daughters Catherine and Elizabeth, share and share alike. Lastly, I nominate and appoint Mary my dear beloved wife, and my trusty friend Ludwick Bopp of Shrewsbury Township York County, as the survivor of them, to be the executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made, declaring this and this only for my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventh day of March in the Year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and five. X (Lawrence's mark)