Person Page - 59

     Jacob Mathias Showalter was born in 1702 in Strengelbach, St. Gills canton, Switzerland.¹ Jacob was the probable son of Ulrich Schowalter and Elisabeth Hürtzler.² Jacob Mathias Showalter was also known as Jacob Schowalter. He married Mariah Saunders. Jacob Mathias Showalter lived between 1749 and 1750 in Riedseltz, Alsace, France.³ He and Mariah Showalter immigrated on 3 November 1750 to Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, on the ship Brotherhood.^4,5 Jacob Mathias Showalter and Mariah lived in November 1750 in Whitehall Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania.⁶ In 1759 Jacob was the leader of the Mennonite Siegrid Church, which today is located in Northampton, Northampton County, Pennsylvania.⁵ Jacob Mathias Showalter left a will on 7 March 1767.⁷ The transcript of the Will read:
I Jacob Showalter in the County of Northampton in the province of Pennsylvania, having by the blessings of the Almighty God Considerably advanced to old age and feeling the infirmities thereof tho at the same time being of Sound Understanding and memory I do in the first place recommend my Soul to the Hands of my true Redeemer Jesus Christ and my Body to the Earth until Resurrection agreeable to the Lord's Will, and for preventing all Contests and disputes which might arise after my decease I have made and published this my last Will and Testament in manner following.
First I have delivered unto my son Valentine Showalter my Plantation or Tract of one hundred acres of Land Situte in the Township & County aforesaid, that is to say, for the Consideration of four hundred pounds Lawful money of Pennsylvania; and the said money shall be paid to my Children in manner following. Valentine Showalter shall of the aforesaid four hundred pounds have Sixteen pounds beforehand and then my Children shall have each an Equal part thereof. But in Consideration that I have given to my Son Valentine Sixteen pounds beforehand he shall pay twinty pounds every year commencing to pay the Eldest who is now living and so Continueing to the youngest until each shall have received his part of the afors.^d four hundred pounds, and he shall give his Brothers and Sisters Notes and Bonds for their Inheritance. Further I do ordain that my Eldest Son Peter Showalter or his Heirs shall have one Shilling Sterling for his double share of Inheritance and over & above the s.^d one Shilling Sterling he shall not under any pretence whatever have more than an equal part with my other Children. And moreover I Will that the Heirs of my Eldest Son shall in the last place receive their Inheritance.
But whatever I have yet in my Hands shall remain till after their mothers death and then it shall be divided like moveable goods among my Heirs.
And I do further Will and ordain that if my daughter Ann Frisher Should marry again then so much of her hereditary portion as She has yet to receive shall be divided among her Children in equal parts tho my daughter may have it in use until the Children come of age.
Further I do Constitute and Ordain my son Joseph Showalter and my Son in law Henry Funk Executors and my son John Showalter overseer Non. I hope that this my last Will shall be inviolately kept so that if possible none may be wronged.
In Witness Whereof I have in the presence of Subscribing Witnesses set my hand and Seal hereunto the 7th day of March 1767.
Jacob Showalter (Seal)
George Groff Jacob (his mark) Ber.
Philad.^a April 28^th 1773. Personally appeared George Groff and Jacob Ber the Witnesses to the forgoing Will and on their Solemn Affirmation according to Law did declare that they saw and heard Jacob Showalter the Testator therein named Sign Seal publish and declare the same Will for and as his Will and Testament and that at the Execution thereof he was of sound disposing mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief.
Coram Benjamin Chew, Reg. Gen.^l
Be it Remembered that on the 28th day of April 1773 the last Will and Testament of Jacob Showalter deceased in due form of Law was proved and Probate and Letters Testamentary thereof were granted to Joseph Showalter and Henry Funck Executors in the said Will named, being solemnly Affirmed will and truly to administer the said decids. Estate and bring an Inventory thereof in the Register Generals Office at Philadelphia on or before the 28th day of May next and render a true Account of the said administration on or before the 29th day of April 1774, or when thereto Lawfully required. Given under the Seal of said Office.
Benjamin Chew, Reg.^r Gen.^l He died in 1771 in Whitehall Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, at age 69 years.⁵ His will was proved on 28 April 1773 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.⁷