ELY: Some Berks County Wills
[Note: comments in square [ ] brackets are not part of the original text]

1748: Elizabeth ELY (Adm 18, 13, 1748) Stephen Bernet

1761: David ELY (Volume 1, Pg 19)
ELY - David Ely, Richmond Date 23 Feb 1761, probated 24 Mar 1761. Provides for wife Elizabeth including use of whole estate until son John is 21, at which time said son is to have 150 acres of my land next to Stephen Tilshers, together with stock, etc. The remainder of land to my 2 next oldest sons, Samuel and Jacob when they are 21. My other five children, viz: Elizabeth, David, Daniel, Abraham and Isaac Ely to have [?] each when they are of age. Wife Elizabeth and son John executors; Witnesses: Richard Penrose, Stephen Filsher and Mary Miller.
[Note: There is a book of will abstracts that shows David with a son James. The actual record shows Isaac instead of James.]

1773: John ELY (Volume 1, Pg 64)
ELY - John Ely, Richmond 6 June 1773, probated 22 July 1773. Executors to sell all land and other estate, including 1/2 interest in a tract of 126 acres which I and brother Jacob purchased of our brother Samuel Ely. To wife Catherine, 1/3 of my estate so she can bring up my children until 14 years of age. To son John and daughter Magdalena and all my other lawful issue the other 2/3 of estate to be paid them as they attain the age of 21. In case of their death to my brothers Abraham and Isaac Ely. Wife Catherine and brother Samuel Ely, executors. Witnesses: Stephen Fischer, James Whitehead, Jr., and Johannes Rothermel.

1782: Jacob ELY (Volume 1, Pg 105) Roll 690
[Had 2 under-age children at his death. Orphans' Court records show brother Samuel Esq. was made guardian] Richmond Twsp; 13 Feb 1782; Adm. to Widow-Mary Ely.
Berks County Orphans’ Court, February 13,1782, before Peter S. Jyeker [?], Henry Christ, Egedious Meyer, Esq.: Petition of Mary Ely, administratrix of Jacob Ely, late of Richmond, yeomen deceased. That Jacob Ely died lately, intestate, seized of considerable real & personal estate, leaving the two children, to wit, Jacob and Daniel yet under 14 years. Prays for guardians. Court appoints Samuel Ely, Esq. and Caster Markel.

1801: Daniel ELY (Volume 1, Pg 233)
Reading Twsp, 6 Apr 1801, Probated 23 June 1801. All left to his wife Maria Margaret. [This is all the information in the abstract. Records of Reformed Church, Reading, show he died 26 May 1801 of consumption; age 45y 8m 0d.]

1814: Daniel ELY (Volume 2, Pg 329) (Adm 7, 355)
Richmond Twsp; 25 Nov 1814; Adm. to Abraham Deisher & Henry Stetzel-Friends.

1816: Jacob ELY (Volume 2, Pg 339) Roll 690
9 Sept 1816; To Elizabeth widow and relict of Jacob Ely late of Richmond Twsp. in said county deceased ; Wife-Elizabeth and friend Solomon Ely, Executors.

1822: Daniel ELY (Volume 2, Pg 376)
[Had daughter Rachel, age @ 5 at time of his death?] Albany Twsp; 5 Oct 1822; Widow-Catherine; Brother Benjamin. [Benjamin may have been an uncle?]

1823: Margaret ELY (Volume 2, Pg 380);
Reading Twsp; Oct 1823, Widow of Isaac; Sons- Jacob, Samuel, Isaac George; Daughters-Elizabeth and Fanny.

1825: Samuel ELY (Volume 2, Pg 401)
Richmond Twsp; 24 Feb 1825, Adm. to Friend Daniel Marberger

1826: Joseph ELY (Adm 10, 19 1826) Benjamin Ely

[Date?]: Solomon ELY (Adm 13, 44) Abraham Mertz

Isaac ELY (Volume 11?, pg. 384), 1867; Ex. - Ezra Ely

Solomon ELY (Volume 2, Pg 416);1865; Ex.-Ephraim, David and Solomon

William ELY (Volume 12, Pg 134);1869; Ex.-George D. Stitzel

John ELY (Volume 12, Pg 419); 1871; Ex.-Levi H. Liess

Ephraim ELY (Volume 12, Pg 681); 1874; Ex.-Diana Ely

Solomon ELY (Volume 13, Pg 44)

Salome ELY (Volume 13, 212); 1876; Ex.-Levi H. Liess AND David Hunsecker.

Diana ELY (Number 199, Volume 17, Pg 278), 1891; Ex.-David Ely

David ELY (Number 220, Volume 23, Pg 434), 1906; Ex.-Titus Ely

Jacob HILL (204); Maxatawny; 29 Feb 1808; Adm. To Jacob ELY, Brother in Law; Esther, the wife, renouncing

John FRICKER 13 June 1808; To Isaac ELY, a relation of John Fricker late an officer in Capt. James Sterret’s Company of Artillery, dec’d in the service of the United States.

Steven FRICKER (373); Reading; 7 Sept 1816; Adm. to Isaac ELY, friend

Note: The Berks County Recorder of Deeds office in Reading is very friendly to genealogists and has a research room. They also have a very helpful webpage: http://www.berksregofwills.com