Johann Michael Peterman

     Johann Michael was born in Morzheim, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. He was christened there on 15 March 1727 in the Reformed Church. His sponsors were Hans Michael Peterman and his wife Anna Katharinia.³ In 1750, Michael left from Rotterdam aboard the ship, "Osgood", under the command of Captain William Wilkie, for Cowes before leaving for Pennsylvania. Among the passengers was Michael Peterman age 21 years & Valentine Peterman. They arrived at port in Philadelphia on the 29th of September..⁴ Michael married Anna Maria (?) circa 1755 in York County, Pennsylvania. He was naturalized in Philadelphia with Daniel & Peter Peterman on 20 July 1765; the three brothers were then living in Windsor Township. Having become a naturalized citizen gave them many new prividges. Among them was a more secure means of purchasing property. Thus, we see Michael purchasing a warrant for 150 acres of land on October 17, 1766. The property was known as "Lovely Springs". In 1776 with the war of the Revolution underway, Michael and his older sons all served.⁵ Michael made his will on 17 July 1784 at Windsor Township, York County, Pennsylvania.

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN this seventeenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty four I Michael Peterman of Windsor Township York County and State of Pensylvania Yoman being very sick and weak in Body but of sound Memory and Understanding thanks be to the Lord Caling (Calling) to Mind the Immortality of my Body and that it is appointed for all men once to dye do make constitute and ordain this my last Will and Testament in maner (manner) and form following that is first I Recomend my Soul into the Hands of Almight God who gave it, Secondly I Recommend my Body to the Earth to be Buried in a Christian like and Decent maner (manner)at the Discresion of my Executers herein after mentioned as a Touching such Worldly Estate Wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me with in this Life. I will give Devise and Dispose of in maner and form following Viz, Item I give and Bequeth unto Anna Mary Peterman my dearly Beloved Wife a cow, a chest and her Bead (Bed) and Beadstead and one Puter (Pewter) Dish and Puter Bason (Basin) four Putar Plate six spoons two Iron Potts a brass Pann (Pan) and a wash Tub and an Oak stand and further it is my Will that my said Wife shall have the third part of the interest of the whole of my Estate both Real and Personel after sould (sold) as long as She remains my widow but if she should marry again she is only to have to have the several Articles before mentioned, She is to have neither Interest nor Principle as before Mentioned after her Marriage nor no part of my Estate except the several Articles before Mentioned Item it my Will and I give unto Henry Felty Peterman my ouldest (oldest) Son my Great Coat my wascoat (waistcoat) and a pair of Trousers a pair of my Stockins and a pair of my Shoes for his Birth Right and five pound for his Shear (share) of his fathers Estate and no more Item It is my Will and I give unto Margret my Daughter the sum of five pound and no more for her shear (share) of her fathers Estate, Item it is my Will and I give the Remainder of my Estate which is not already Willed or bequeathed unto my eight Children herein after mentioned to be equal by devided Shear (share) and shear alike that is to say Catherine Peterman Entermarried with Jacob Lefaver, Elizabeth entermarried with John Hollinger and Anna Mary Peterman entermarried with John Mealhoof and Rechena(Regina)Peterman, George Michal Peterman, Andrew Peterman, Jacob Peterman, John Peterman I give to them and each of them their Heirs and assign forever shear and shear (share) alike, Item it my Will and I do hereby authorise (authorize) and Impower my Executors herein after Mentioned to sell my Whole Estate both Real and Personal at Publich (Public) Sale and the money arising there from shall be by them paid to the several heires heretofore mentioned in this my last Will and Testament as soon as possible may be, and after my Wifes Marriage or Deceas (Decease) the Money which is Retined out of my Estate for her use shall be equally devided amongst my eight last mentioned Children shear and shear (share) alike and the third part of the Money arising out of my Estate shall be left in the Hands of my Executors and by them put in Interest and the Interest arising of said Money is to be paid to my said Widow Yearly and every year during her Widowhood for a support and maintainace of my said Wife but if it should happen that the Interest of the before mentioned money should not be sufficient for her maintainence in her old age then it is my Will and I hereby Impower my Executors herein after mentioned to give to my said Widow as much of the Princible as they shall think nessesary (necessary) for her support Lastly I do make constitute and appoint John Herbach and Henry Tyson to be the soul Executors of this my last Will and Testament Revoking Disallowing and Disannulling all former and Wills theretofore made by me Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament in Witness I have hereunto Set my Hand and Seal the Day and Year first above writing Signed Sealed Published pronounced and Declared In the Presents of Us Jntno Jntno his Filib Moubouf,
Michal (X) Peterman (seal) mark
[York County, Pennsylvania Wills - Volume: W: page 9].

Michael departed this life in Windsor Township at his home on the Lovely Springs Plantation. His will was probated on 9 September 1784.