James Family Archives

 

•  Researching the Past

•  Education for the Present

•  Preservation for the Future

 

Last Will and Testament of Rudolph Latch, September 20, 1785

Montgomery County, PA Will Book 1, Pages 57-58

 

Rudolph Latch (1723-1785) was the brother-in-law of Daniel James (1750-1817) and the father of the Jacob Latch (1758-1845) mentioned in the Sale of Property by Daniel James & Susanna (nee “Bealert”) James to Jacob Latch on May 22, 1809. This document is significant because it identifies the mother of Susanna (nee “Bealert”) James (1745-1849). Her name was Maria Dorothea (nee “van der Cooren”) Bealert (1712-1785). In the Last Will and Testament of Rudolph Latch (her son-in-law) she is referred to as "Dorothy." From this document, one can see that the responsibility for providing for “Dorothy Bealert” in her elder years fell upon Rudolph and his wife Mary (nee “Bealert”) Latch (1734-1813), Susanna’s sister. In his last will and testament, Rudolph Latch also identifies his daughter Mary (nee “Latch”) James (born March 24, 1757), who was the wife of Daniel James' only full brother Jonathan James (1751-1843). Jonathan James and Mary Latch were married around the same time as Daniel James and Susanna Bealert, that is, June 18, 1772. From this document one can see how intricately intertwined were the James, Bealert and Latch families in the Post Revolutionary period of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

I Rudolph Latch of the Township of lower Merion in the County of Montgomery being weak in Body but of sound and disposing Minde & memory Thanks be rendered to Almighty God for the same, do make this my last Will and Testament in maner & form following Vizt. that all my just Debts and funeral Expences be payed by my Executors herein after named.

 

I give devise and bequeath all the rest and Residue of my Estate both real and personal to my Son John and David to hold to them their Heirs and Assigns in severally forever, subject to the imitations and Incumberances herein after mentioned Vizt the Maintainance of their grand mother Dorothy Barlort her natural Life as set fort in the Will of her late Husband and likewise the Maintainance of their Mother my beloved Wife Mary Latch during her Widdowhood, but my Will is, that if she should marry after my Decease, that she should have no more than her legal Dower to be fixed by twelve Men, six to be chosen by her, and six by my two Sons John and David, and like wise subject to the bringing up; of my two Children Hannah and George till theire Adultage, and also the payment of the following Legacies vizt

 

ten pounds pennsylvania Currency to be payed in seven years after my Decease to my Daughter Ann Snider, and

 

the like Sum of ten pounds in the like Time to my Daughter Mary James, and

 

the Sum of thirty pounds like money in like Time to my Son Jacob Latch, and

 

the Sum of twenty pounds like money in like Time to my Daughter Elizabeth Roberts, and

 

the Sum of twenty pounds like money to my Daughter Hannah Latch, to be paid her, when she attains the Age of eighteen Years, and

 

the Sum of thirty pounds like Money to my Son George to be paid him when he arrives at the Age of twenty one Years, and

 

the Sum of five pounds like Money to my Grand Daughter Mary Nosses?, to be paid her at the Age of eighteen Years and

the like Sum of five pounds to my Grandson William Nare? to be paid him when he attains the Age of twenty one Years, but if either of my Grand children herein named, should die before their Legacies become due my will is that their Legacies shall devolve equally to my Sons John and David, to be divided between them and

 

lastly I do hereby constitute and Appoint my beloved Wife Executrix and my Sons John and David Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all other Wills heretofore by me made.

 

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & Seal this twentieth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred & eighty five. Signed sealed published & declared Rudolph Latch (Seal) by the above Testator in the presents of us who have hereunto set our Hands Thomas Roberts, John Jones, Isaac Roberts, Algernon Roberts

 

Montgo'ry County js Personally came Jno Jones and Aljernoon Roberts, Witnesses to the foregoing Will and affirmed; that they were present and saw Rudolph Latch the Testator in the foregoing Will named, sign and seal the same, and heard him publish pronounce and declare the same to be his last Will and Testament & that at the Doing thereof he was of sound disposing mind & memory as far as they knew and verily believed and that they signed their Names as witnesses thereto in the presnece of the Testator & in the presence of each other

 

Be it remembered that on the 12th Day of Novr A D 1785 the foregoing Will of Rudolph Latch was proved in due form and probate with Letters Testamentary granted unto Mary Latch Executrix and John Latch & David Latch Executors therein named, they having first affirmed that they would will and truly perform the same, and render an Account according to Law. Given from under my Hand & Seal of Office this 12th Novr A D 1785

 

Jno ? Mulhenberg Regr

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Updated: September 19, 2025