My Name is Happy

Here is the will of Felix Glattfelder, my 5th great-grandfather, who was born in 1727 in Switzerland and died in 1814 in North Carolina.  I think it’s wonderful to realize that his name means “Happy.”

April 19, 1809.

In the name of God Amen. I Felix Clodfelter of Rowan County and State of North Carolina having arrived to an honourable age but yet in good health of body, and sound in memory, think it my duty to make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in the following manner. First I recommend my precious Soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it; and my body to be buried in a Decent and Christain manner. Take will that all my lawfull debts be paid out of my personal estate. I Will to my beloved wife Sarah full possession of the House I now live in during her lifetime, likewise one quarter of an acre of Land to be Sown in due Season with ??? yearly her lifetime. One half of the garden to her use her lifetime, two milk cows to be kept for her use to be willid and kept in service and if they should fail and be unfit for her service – two others to be put in their place to be kept during her lifetime. I Will to her the old negro woman Aggey to serve her her life time. Also her spinning wheel, her chest, her bed and basons and furniture, and all the linnen she now has in possession. Also two basons, two plates, four spoons, three knives and forks, and the large shelf in the kitchen, two small iron potts and the frying pan, also the corner cupboard containing all within it, also the clock her lifetime, and after her decease to be sold, also a Prayer Book and Hymn Book and watering can, also a small bed and ??? with the furniture belonging, also the firetongs and shovel, and little walnut table. The following articles to be found her yearly; Ten baskets of wheat to be made into flour, to her hand for her use, ten baskets of corn ground and brought into the house, one hundred and fifty pounds of good pork, fifty weight of beef in due season, also one bushel of salt and ten dollars in cash to be paid unto her yearly, also sufficient supply of ael to be Had for her use, all the above mention duties to be performed unto her by my son Jacob. And as respecting my land, my Will is that my son Jacob, have my homesteaded plantation, also the moo? part of a lot that I purchased of Thomas Long, to extend to the dividing line already run dividing the same from his brother John’s line and his brother Peter after my decease to him and his heirs forever. I also give unto my son Peter the land and Plantation on which he now lives, including the south part of my homested plantation, and the south part of that I purchased of Thomas Long, Jacob’s part and also from his brother John’s part to him and his heirs forever. I also give unto my son John the land and plantation where he now lives, situate on the north side of my homested plantation including part of the same and part of that which I bought of Thomas Long by lines already run dividing the same from his brother Jacob’s, to him and his heirs forever. And as respecting my moovable? property (the slaves excepted) and also the perisable property (excepting that already given) to be sold at public value at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named, and the same to be divided equally between both male and female heirs, also the children of my daughter Susanna Nifong deceased, to have a child’s part intended for their mother to be equally divided among them. My Negro woman Aggy I will that she continue in my family her lifetime and have liberty to live with any of my children to whom she may choose, and that they provide for her and keep her as may be required her lifetime. Take Will that my negro man Solomon and his wife Patt with her increase, and my negro lad Johnson be sold at public value at the discretion of my Executors, among my heirs in manner above mentioned to be equally divided. Lastly I do appoint and ordain my two sons George and Peter Executors of this my last Will and Testament, utterly revoking and making null and void every other Will, Gift or ??? heretofore made by me, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament. Acknowledging and confirming this by setting my hand and seal the ninteenth day of April in the year of our Lord – One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Nine.

Felix Clodfelter F his mark

In Presence of Ja Clinard

Britain J. Heymore

What I love about this will is the distinctive “mark” he used for his name.  Perhaps he could not write (or spell) his name, but he could make a fancy “F!” Isn’t it wonderful?