Bernard Shope Will as transcribed from microfilm at the Pennsylvania State Archives by William K. Shope E-Mail: wkshope@tricoutyi.net.

Author's Note. Bernard Shope (Bernhardt Schop) lived in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pa. from 1773 until his death in 1813. Dr. Samuel Zimmerman Shope, a gg grandson, states in 1920 SAR application that Bernard Shope was born in Switzerland and that he arrived in Philadelphia aboard the Neptune on September 24, 1753. In the biographical sketch of Dr. David Shope written William H. Egle, M.D., Egle states that the grandfather of Dr. David Shope was Andreas Schopp who arrived on the Halifax in 1754. This information is incorrect. Bernard Shope was the grandfather of Dr. David Shope. In addition to the biographical sketch of Dr. David Shope, the biographical transcriptions also feature Dr. Jacob Shope, a grandson, and Henry N. Shope, a great grandson. An abstract of Bernard's will is also listed in the transcriptions and he appears in the 1779 continental tax transcription under the name Bernard Soop.

Bernard Shope Will as transcribed from microfilm at the Pennsylvania State Archives in Harrisburg, Pa. by William K. Shope on February 27, 2001.  Original spellings and punctuation are as written in the original will.  In his 1920 SAR application Dr. Samuel Zimmerman Shope, a gg grandson, states that Bernard Shope was born in Switzerland arrived in Philadelphia aboard the Neptune on September 24, 1753.  The transcribed biography from William H. Egle on this site lists the grandfather of Dr. David Shope as Andreas Schopp aboard the Halifax in 1754.  This info is incorrect.  Bernard Shope was the grandfather of Dr. David Shope. The original family surname was Schop. Bernard live in Lower Paxton Township.  Locust Lane near Embassy St is where the his farm was located.

Bernard Shope Will  In the name of God Amen   I Bernhart Shope of Paxton township in the County of Dauphin and the state of Pennsylvania yoeman being old and advanced in years but of sound mind and memory and understanding blessed be god for the same but Considering the uncertainty of this transitory life I do make and Publish this my last will and testament in the manner and form following to wit  Principally and first of all I commit my immortal soul into the hands of god who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner at the desire of my executors herein after named and as such worldly Estate where with it has pleased god to bless me in this life I give and dispose of the same in the following manner to wit first for all my Just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my estate and further it is my will that after decease my Executors as soon as convenant to make saled all of my Estate both real and personal Either by Publick or prived sale to the best advantage of my heirs herein after named  I give and bequeath to my daughter Barbara Intermarried with Henry Michael ten dollars in full for her share of my estate both real and personal  I give and bequeath to my daughter Juliana Intermarried with George Silsel Ten dollars in full for her share of the estate both real and personal and the remainder of my estate both real and personal I give and bequeath to the rest of my children all share and share alike  I give and bequeath to son Jacob the one eight part of my estate  I give and bequeath to my daughter margaret the one eight part of my estate  I give and bequeath to my daughter mary the one eight part of my Estate I give and bequeath to my daughter Christiana the one eight part of my Estate I give and bequeath to my daughter Magdalena the one eight part of my estate  I give and bequeath to my son Adam the one-eight part of my Estate  I give and bequeath to my son Bernhart the one eight part of my Estate I give and bequeath to my daughter Eve deceased her children the one-eight share of my Estate share and share alike and further it is my will that my Executors in this my last will and testament shall have full power to Execute a Deed of conveyance of my plantation to any person or persons who may purchase the same in as full ample and compleat manner as I now could do and further I do hereby constitute make and ordain my son Jacob Shope and Christian Walborn to be my Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other will legacies and bequeaths by me heretofore and Declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament   In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixth day of July in the year of lord one thousand and Eight hundred and twelve.

(signed sealed published declared by the said                 His

Bernhart Shope as his last will and testament in      Bernhart BS Shope  Seal

the presence and at his request have subscribed               Mark

as Witness Christian Hoover Christian Hoover

Proven according to Law August 28, 1813                Henry Beader Register