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Subject: [SMELSER] Re: Obadiah
Date: 15 Feb 2004 10:15:14 -0700

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Classification: Query

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http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/kIIBAEB/27.42.1

Message Board Post:

Below is some basic information on the Paulser Smelser that I have in my line. I've included his will and the names of his children -- I have not confirmed all the data, but it may help you.

Thanks

Connie Crawford

PAULSER SMELSER I was born pre 1733, died 25 September 1778 Bedford County, Virginia.

m. ca. 1756-57
Catherine b. ca. 1740 d. post 1820

(Note: Several of Paulser's New River neighbors arrived from the Palatinate, Germany on Sept. 5, 1738 in Philadelphia on Winter Galley: Adam Wall (no wife/children), Casper Berger (d. 1755), Philip Harlas (d. 1772 wife Margaret and children listed in Will) and Johan Michael Preis(Price) (wife Margaret) d. 1802; other neighbors were Dunkards)

1777 Dec. 7 Paulser Smelser prepared Will In the Name of God Amen--

I Paulser Smelser of the County of Bedford being sick and weak of body, but of sound memory, and calling to mind
the uncertainty of this transitory life knowing that God has
appointed that all men shall once die--I have thought proper to make, Constitute and Confirm this my last will and testament. Viz: That I first of all recommend my Soul into the hands of God that gave it, and my body to the dust of whence it was taken to be decently buried -- And as for my Worldly Estate that it has pleased God to bless me with
I ordain in form and manner following to wit--. Imprimis my desire is that all my debts any ways contracted be first of all paid.

I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Catherine Smelser during her natural life or widowhood the Plantation I now live on with all the stock that is now on it excepting what is here after mentioned, but if my wife should die, or alter her name by marriage then all my movables and chattels to be sold and equally divided amongst my children then alive and to them and their heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my beloved sons John Smelser and Abraham Smelser this tract of (173) one hundred seventy three acres to them, Their separate heirs and assigns forever. Viz: it is a piece of land I bought of Edmand Smith to be parted as follows: Viz: A line to be run a cross equitably. The lower part joining where I now live to belong to my son John, and the upper part to Abraham, with a hundred acres of a new servey adjoining them to each, if there is four hundred acres in the servey, if not to be proportioned.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my beloved sons
Steven Smelser and Paulser Smelser, a piece of land of two hundred and twenty five acres (225) it being the tract I now live on, a line being equitably run a cross the land. The lower part being one hundred twelve acres and half and joining John Pearey, To belong to Steven Smelser and his heirs and assigns for ever.

And the other half being where on I now live to belong to Paulser Smelser to him and his heirs and assigns for ever, with an equitable part of the new servey adjoining them both.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Jessey Smelser to him his heirs and signs for ever a new servey of land joining William McLaland.

And that my son Paulser Smelser shall pay out of his
part of the Estate unto my son Jessey fifty pounds to make his part equal.

Item: I leave unto my daughter Betty two cows and
calves, and ten pounds to be given her by my son John out of his part of the Estate.

I request that my three sons John, Steven, and Paulser may keep their acres as I have appointed them, and that John gives unto Abraham the first two year old colt from his mare and that Paulser gives unto Jessey the first two year old colt that comes from his mare but that if any accidents happeneth to eather or both the mares then this to be void.

I further order that my son Steven Smelser give unto my son Abraham fifty pound to make Abrahams part equal.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my two daughters Rebeccah and Mary Smelser my negro named Peter, that Rebeccah may keep the negro, paying Mary one-half the negroes value in cash, and I confirm each ones part to them or their assigns for if eather or both daughters die, her or their parts of the negro to be equally divided among my other children.

I Constitute and appoint to see this my last Will and Testament executed, Viz: My beloved wife Catherine Smelser, John Pearcy and John Sharp.

Before Wittness of this my last Will and Testament I have set my hand and seal, this seventh day of December, and in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred and Seventy seven (1777).

Signed by Paulser Smelser.

Children of Paulser and Catherine Smelser

John Smelser born about 1757
Betty Smelser born about 1760
Jesse Smelser born 1765-1777
Abraham Smelser born about 1772
Stephen Smelser born 1769-1771
Paulser Smelser II born about 1766

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