Critchfield, William

William seems to have lived in or near a German settlement called German Valley that developed in Hopewell, Trenton, and Hanover, New Jersey. William left a will in Hunterdon Co., New Jersey in 1772. In it, he included the name of his daughter, Elizabeth. He was a rock mason.

In the name of God amen. I William Crihfield, of the Township of Lebenon, in the County of Hunterdon, and Province of West New Jersey, Masson. Being in good helth of bodey and of a perfit mind and memory, praises be therefore given to Allmighty God, I du make and ordain this my last will and testement in manner and form as followeth, calling into mind the mortality of my bodey and knoing that it tis apoynted for all men once to dey.
That is to say, principally and first of all I give and recommend my sole into the hands of all mighty god that give it, and by modey I recommend to the eirth to be buryed in a descent manner at the discresion of my executers nothing doubing but at the general resurrection I shall receve the same again by the mighty power of god and as touching such worldly estates where with it hath pleased god to bless me in this life I give, demise, and dispose of the same in the following manner as followeth.
First, I will that all my just debts and funeral charges be payed and satisfyed. Item, it is my will to give to my eldest son John, considering his former benefits and kindnesses already received, but twenty shillings procklemation money to be payed by my executers out of my estate when demended of them. I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Jesper Crichfield all and singular the land and messeges and tenements whatsoever and wheresoever and my moveabels estate to be maintained out of them till his deth and the benefits of the rents of the lands. It is my will that my well beloved son Arthur Crichfield shall have the yous of all the above menchioned lands and tenements so long as he will faithfully provide for and carefully look after/ his said brother Jesper acordening as it shall be approved of by the executers whome I shall appoint and impower to inspect the farm and in case my son Arthur decease before my son Jesper or neglect to preform his duty in takening care of his brother it shall be lawful for my executers to place some other trusty person on the premises to have the youse thereof for the services herin required. Any my son Arthur or aney other person having the yous of the premises at the time of his deces shall brui him in a christin like order and after my son Jesper deceas I give and bequeath all the lands and tenements above menchened unto my son Arthur Crihfeld to him, his eirs and assines forever provided he or them on any of them du will and truly pay or cause to be paid the sum of one hundred pounds current money procklemation, 50 pounds to be paid to my beloved son William Crichfield Junr or heirs or executers one year after my son Jesper's deth. And the other fifty pounds to be paid to my beloved son Joshua Crichfeaild or his heirs or administrator and second year after the aforesaid son death. And my well beloved son Nathaniel hath all ready receved his porshon and my well beloved dauter Susannah hath all ready reseved her porsion and my well beloved dauter deseased Ruth by name hath all ready reseved her porshen and all the goods and chattles that are mine that remain not spent on my son Jesper after his deseas shall be sold or devid equally between these six of my well beloved children, namely: Amos, Catren, Elesebeth, Abegil, Hannah, Rachel. Eitem -- I constitute and apoynt and ordain my beloved son William Crichfeald and Joshua Crichfeald and Casper Eick these my executors of this my last will and testement and utterly revoke all former wills and testements confirming this and no other I witness whereof I have hearunto set my hand and seail the fifth day of June in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and seventy-two. Signed, sealed, and delivered by this said William Crichfeald as his last will and testement in the present of us who have hearunto set our hands as witness.
SS: Robart Collier SS: (in very shaky handwriting)
John Bell William Crihfeld
Henry Fonger

On the outside of the will is the following: William Critchfield Sr., Will, Hunderton County, Engrossed and Probated, Recorded No. 16 Folio 141. Stamped at this point is the figure: 870J.

Probated 6th day of May, 1773 Joshua Crihfield, Casper Eick.