George Hocker’s Will

This extraction is taken from the last will and testament of George Hocker (1794—1873). The will was dated 13 Sep 1783 and probated 14 Nov 1873. ¹

George HOCKER devised as follows:

“#1 To my widow Catharine, all household and kitchen furniture in the house, except what belongs to daughter. Margaret and son George, she to have choice of 2 cows, 2 hogs, and I give her $500 cash out of my Government bonds, to be paid 1 month after my death.

#2  To widow during her lifetime, the house and buildings, garden, etc., where I now live in Swatara township, adjacent my farm and the land of Josiah ESPY, also the interest on $5,000 paid to her yearly out of my farm.

#3 The balance of my bonds, notes, stocks, etc. to my daughter. Margaret and during her lifetime, after my widow’s death, the house, etc., and after her died to son George in fee simple.

#4 My farm on the Harrisburg and Ephrata turnpike, adjacent Josiah ESPY, J. SNAVELY, Samuel GRAY and others containing, except for above devised, about 117 acres to my son George HOCKER, Jr., and his heirs and assigns, with the right to water at the pump where I live, he paying ‘-2 the expense of upkeeping the pump.

#5 I give to my widow $2,000 on said farm for her use and son George, or whoever holds said farm, I charge the farm $5,000 and to pay my widow interest on said $5,000. at 6%.

#6 After my widow’s death, the above $5,000 to be paid as follows: $500 to daughter Isemiah WAGNER, wife of Henry WAGNER, the next year $500 to my son Levi, 3rd year, like son, to Mrs. Wagner and then $500 a year to Levi until he gets $2,000 and then the remaining $2,000 to be paid to my said daughter Margaret in payments of $500 each and additional payments by son George to Margaret to make her share out of my whole Estate $7,000 in payments of $500 per year, after the other payments aforesaid.

#8 To son Levi, 10 acres of mountain land in West Hanover township

#9 I give less to Isemiah and Levi because I previously gave them from my Estate

#10 daughter Margaret and son George to be my Executors.”

George’s widow was his second wife Catherine COCKLIN, daughter of Jacob and Mary Margaret (HOOVER) COCKLIN. George had two children with his first wife Mary Magdalena LANDIS, daughter of Henry and Catherine (___) LANDIS: Isemiah (1821—aft 1880), wife of Henry WAGNER, and Levi HOCKER (1824—1876). George had three children with his second wife: David (1838—1862), Mary Margaret (1842—1906), and George Jr. (1848—1927). David, having predeceased his father, was not named in the will.

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• Category: Research