Submitted by: Harold H. Miller halned@prodigy.net.mx The following is the will of Wiliam Dietz, bpt. 14 Jan 1720 in Germany, one of the first settlers of Berne. Most early histories and genealogies mistakenly identified this William as being the Capt. William Dietz who was captured during the 1781 massacre of his father Johannes Dietz, his mother, wife and four young children; he then died shortly thereafter in captivity. William's wife Dorothea Wanner died 7 Feb 1782. Many historians and genealogists assumed that she had been massacred; and that was fixed as the date of the massacre. Her husband William died a few months later; shortly after writing his 25 Mar 1782 will. The Dietz Family history says his will was written while he was in captivity and later brought back to Schoharie. The will does not read like it was written by a man whose family had been recently massacred, nor does it make any reference to his being in captivity. Nor are there any records to show that the witnesses were ever in captivity. In the name of God Amen. I do give unto my Son William Dietz and to his heirs and assigns for Ever all the blacksmith Tools in the shop in Schohary for his birth right.. I do give and bequeath unto my son Johan Jost Dietz his heirs and assigns for Ever one Bed and beding and also my weaving Loom and utensels thereunto belonging. I do give and Bequeath unto my Son Johan Jost Dietz his heirs and assigns for Ever all my wheelwright ToolsI do give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Eva Dietz one feather bed with pillows Sheets and blanked one green rugg and curtings Complete for a Bedstead my wifes blue broad cloth Cloak and Black Quilted petticoat also four cows one hefer one horse one mare Seven Sheep two iron pots one tea kettle one Brass kittle and all my pewder- furniture to her heirs and assigns for Ever. I do give and Bequeath unto my Daughters marilis wife of hendrick Ball and Eva Dietz all the remainder of my household furniture and to their heirs and assigns Each and Even and Equal Share and portion thereof for ever and my wifes wearing apparel. I do give and bequeath unto my children William Dietz Johannes Dietz Adam Dietz Johan Jost Dietz Eva Dietz and marilis wife of hendrick Ball all my horn Cattle sheep and hogs herein before not given away their respective heirs and assigns Each an Even and Equal Share and portion of the Same for ever. I do give Devise and Bequeath unto my son Adam Dietz and to his heirs and assigns for Ever all that farm of Land Situate Lying and being at Beverdam in the manor Renselaerwick now in his possession as also I give him all the Stock of horses and Cattle and Blacksmith Tools which is with him of mine at the Said farm. I Do give Devise and Bequeath unto my sons William Dietz Johannes Dietz adam Dietz and Johan Jost Dietz all the Land Share portion and income of what I am Instituted to by the Last will and Testament of my Brother adam Dietz Deceased and to their respective heirs and assigns Each an Even and Equal Share and portion of the Same for Ever.. I do give and Bequeath unto my Sons William Dietz Johannes Dietz adam Dietz and Johan Jost Dietz all my wearing apparel to their respective heirs and assigns Each an Even and Equal Share and portion of the Same for Ever. I Do give Devise and Bequeath all and Singular the Remainder of my Estate Both Real and personall whatsoever unto my Sons William Dietz Johannes Dietz and Johan Jost Dietz their respective heirs and Assigns Each an Even and Equal Share and portion of the Same for Ever - on condition my Said Sons William Dietz Johannes Dietz and Johan Jost Dietz their heirs Executors or administrators are to pay unto my Daughter marilis wife of hendrick Ball her heirs or Assigns the Sum of fifty pounds Currant money of the State of new york and unto my Daughter Eva Dietz her heirs or Assigns the Sum of one hundred pounds Currant money of the State of new york as also one decent Suit of wedding apparel and unto my two grant Daughters Children of my deceased Son Peter Dietz their heirs or Assigns Each of them the Sum of twenty pounds Currant money of the State of new york. It is my will that my said Sons William Dietz Johannes Dietz and Johan Jost Dietz their heirs Executors or administrators Buy for my Son adam Dietz his heirs or assigns to(?) much more Smith Tools as to make it fit to work with in also to buy him half a ton Iron and a half faccet Steel. Lastly I do nominate Constitute and appoint my Loving Sons William Dietz and Johannes Dietz the Sole Executors of this my Last will and Testament In Testimony whence of I have Signed Sealed published and Declared this to be my Last will and testament in the presence of the witnesses . Subscribing hereunto in my presence. William Dietz's Will Probate dated July 5th 1782. Recorded Albany. Please place in the Subject Line: WEBPAGE-HISTORY 
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