NOTE: Johan Jacob Scholtes was born at Beaverdam (Berne), New
York on May 6, 1761. He was the oldest of nine children born to John Matheis
Schultes (1740-1812) and Anna Eve Engle (1745-1809). Jacob, as most records
refer, served with 15th Regiment of Albany County Militia during the War of
the Revolution. His farm was located where the former HIS FARM FELLOWSHIP now
stands on Rock Road in Knox. He purchased 55 acres of land in Tioga County on
June 10, 1826 which later became the location of the SHOULTES farm. He testified
in court on September 28, 1832 that he was a soldier of the Revolution and was
awarded an annual pension of $33.33 for his service. He died on February 1,
1852 at the age of 90 years and is buried in Beaverdam Cemetery, near the village
of Berne.
In the name of God, Amen, I, Jacob Scholtes of the town of Knox, in the County
of Albany and State of New York, being of sound mind, memory, and understanding
to make and publish this, my last will and Testament in the manner and form
following. That is to say:
First, I give and bequeath unto my son, John I. Scholtes, ten dollars to be
paid in one year after my decease.
Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my son, Jacob I. Scholtes, ten dollars to
be paid in one year after my decease.
Thirdly, I give and bequeath unto my grandson, Gedion Scholtes, son of my son,
John I. Scholtes, a good and comfortable maintenance together with all necessary
clothing in sickness and in health, for as many years as he, the said Gedion
Scholtes, shall live with his brother, Jacob Scholtes, and the heirs of said
Jacob, in case he, the said Gedion, survives the said Jacob. And it is my will,
and I do hereby order and direct my grandson, Jacob Scholtes, brother of the
said Gedion Scholtes, to pay the said six dollars a year, and every year and
provide the said Gedion Scholtes with all such necessaries as of herein mentioned,
and for the faithful performance of this bequest and legacy to the said Gedion
Scholtes, I do hereby expressly herein after given and devised unto the said
Jacob Scholtes, with the payment and performance of the same.
Fourthly, I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Scholtes, wife of my son, John
I. Scholtes, a good easy and comfortable maintenance as long as she remains
the wife or widow of my son, John I. Scholtes, and I do direct his son, Jacob,
to provide the same for her.
Fifthly, I give and devise unto my grandson, Jacob Scholtes, all that certain
farm piece or parcel of land situate lying and being in the town of Knox, in
the county of Albany, and known as distinguished as Lot number six hundred,
in the manor of the Rensselaerwick, and bounded on the south by lands of Peter
Marselis and Gerardus G. Marcelis, and on the east by lands of the said Peter
Marselis and Gerardus Marselis, on the north by lands of Philip Sternburgh,
supposed to contain one hundred and fifth acres of land, be the same more or
less, to have and to hold the same unto him, his heirs and assigns forever provided
he pays and performs the bequests and legacies herein before given and bequeathed
unto his brother Gedion Scholtes.
Sixthly, I give and bequeath unto my grandson, Ira Scholtes, son of my son Jacob
I. Scholtes, all that certain farm piece or parcel of land situate lying and
being on the west end of Lot Number Fifty-Five, in the Grand Division of the
Boston Ten Townships, in the County of Tioga, and state of New York, bounded
on the west by the west bounds of said lot as originally laid out, and to extend
east as far as a line running parallel to the west bounds thereof, will make
and include one hundred acres of land, to have and to hold the same to him,
the said Ira Scholtes, his heirs and assigns forever. And I do hereby order
and direct the said Ira, in consideration of this devise, provide and maintain
his father and mother as long as they choose to remain with him on the same
premises.
Seventhly, I give and bequeath unto my grandson, Jacob Scholtes, son of my son
John I. Scholtes, all the horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, farming utensils, and
the rest and residue of the personal estate and effects which I may have at
my decease, after the payment of ten dollars to each of my sons herein before
given and bequeathed to them, and after payments of my debts and funeral expenses.
Lastly, I hereby appoint my brother, Adam Scholtes, and my friend, Jacob Settle,
both of the town of Berne, and my grandson Jacob Scholtes of the town of Knox,
executors of this, my last will and Testament, hereby revoking all former wills
by me at any time herebefore made.
In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and seal, this twenty second day
of February, in the yar of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty.
Jacob Scholtes
Signed, published, and declared by the above named Jacob Scholtes to be his
last will and Testament in the presence of us, who have hereunto respectively
subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the testator.
Lyman Dwight
William H. Ball