Shavers of Ancaster

(Transcribed from Archives of Ontario Microfilm MS 8417/GS1-648 by E. Clare Stewart, C & I Military Genealogy, 2023.02.19)

In the Name of God Amen, the twentyforth day of may in the year of our Lord, 1796. I, John Shafer of the township of Ancaster in the County of [blank] Gentleman, being very Sick and Weak in Body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be giving unto god therefore, Calling unto mind the Mortality of my body, And knowing that it is appointed for all Men once to Dye, do make and ordain this my last will and testament: that is to Say principally and first of all I give and Recommend my Soul into the hands of God that gave it, and for my body, I Recommend it to the Earth, to be buried in a Christian like and decent maner, at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I Shall receive the Same again by the mighty Power of God and as touching Such worldly Estate wherewhit it hath pleased god to bless me in this life I give, devise and dispose of the Same in the following Manner and form.
Imprimus, it is my will, and I do Order, that in the first place, all my Just debts and funeral Charges be paid and Satisfied.
And it is my will that the land I Clame Should be held for my fife Sons, Frederick, Philip and Peter, Henry & Daniel and if any of them should dye before they have heirs their part of the land to be divided amoungs the Rest of those my sons I give this Clame to them their heirs or Asines forever, if my movables do not pay my just Depts part of the land Below the Mountain to be Sold for that purpose
When my youngest Child Comes of age the Estate to be Valued aprised and then my four Dauters or who are aliving amoung them, Mary & Susanna & Ann & Catarin to have Shear amongs my Sons the boys tow thirds & Girls one and my Son John five Pounds N York Curency & William to have five Pounds & Marget five pounds NYC.
And it is my Will that my true & lawful wife Magdalene as long as my Widow Shall have her Suport and the three Small Children out of my property or the Children are Capible of being put to trades, if my widow Should marry I give her the Best Cow and to have an Equal part amoung my Dauters of my property and no more whom I likewise Constitute make and ordain one of the Executors and likewise Conrad Philman & David Cummins Executors of this my last Will and testament and I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disannul all and every other former testaments, wills legacies and Executors, by me in any ways before this time named willed and bequeathed Ratifying and Confirming this, and no others to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal the day and year above written.
John Shafer
Signed, Sealed, published, pronounced and Declared by the Said John Shafer as his last will and testament in the presence of we the Subscribers. Jno. Mills
Conrad Filman
Samson Fillman
And I likewise confirm St. John B. Rusow as one of the Executors