While Henry Knecht was "back east" recently he secured from a cousin a copy of a will which was made by their great grandfather, on the side of Henry's mother, in the year 1765, and which is unique in its wording and spelling. The maker of the will was a German, which accounts for the peculiar spelling of some of the words. We print it exactly as it was written, as far as spelling and the use of words is concerned. It reads as follows:

Copy of Will of Ludwick Haun

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. I Ludwick Haun of Pipe Creek hundred Frederick County and Provinceof Maryland being sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks to Almighty God calling to mind the mortality of the body and that it is appointed for all men to die, make this my last will and testament.

First I bequath my soul to God who gave it, and my body to be buried in a Christian manner at the descretion of my Extrs in Hope of a glorious Resurrection, and for what it hath pleased God to bestow upon me of this world's goods, I order and dipose of in manner and form following.

First of all I order that all just charges or debts and funeral charges shall be paid out of the whole.

Imprimis it is my will and pleasure that my son Andrew Haun, shall have and enjoy all my whole estate real and personal except what hereafter shall be mentioned. Nixt it is my will and pleasure that my son Andrew shall give to my Willie beloved wife Katrina Haun, during her natural life, meat, drink apparel lodging and wahing according to a woman of her station, and if she shall not see proper to live with her son, then he shall build her a convenient home and maintain her as aforsaid and she shall have her one bed chest and a little poot.

3dly. I order that my son Andrew shall pay to my daughter Margaret Haun when she shall arrive to Eage twelve pounds one cow and two shipe and her spinning wheel.

4ly. I order yt twenty pounds be paid by said to my son Johnnanat-han Haun.

5ly. I order that twelve pound shall be paid by said to my daughter Katrina, one cow two ship and a spinning wheel.

6ly. I order that twenty pounds shall be paid to Devault Haun, all the said sevrellsums shall not be paid to any until they shall arrive at full ege, as the law directs each of them according to age.

7ly. I order my well beloved wife Katrina and my son Andrew Haun to be my whole and sole exetrs of this my last will and testament, revoking and disanoulling all former wills made by me and confirming this as my last will and testament.

In witness Whereof I set too my hand and affix my seall this theerty day of Aprill 1765.

his
Loudwick X Haun (Seal)
Mark
signed seal'd published and confirmed before us

Phillip Beamer,
John Kessler,
Pat'h Watson.

Also see:

Stephen Knecht, father of Henry Knecht. Obituary, The Western Star, June 25, 1915.

Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!

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