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,W0\  T.IBF<.AKY 


I'l-i-oi-utm"!  lit  IS//6  I'D 
WILLIAM   d.  APPLE rOA,£SQ.\ 


Digitized  by  tine  Internet  Archive 

in  2008  witii  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.arcliive.org/details/earlywillsillustOOappl 


EARLY  WILLS 


ILLUSTRATING  THE  ANCESTRY 


HAKEIOT  COFFIN 


GENEALOGICAL  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTES, 


BY   HER   GRANDSON 


WILLIAM  S.  APPLETON. 


BOSTON : 

PRESS  OF  DAVID   CLAPP  &   SON. 

18  9  3. 


WILLS. 


Edmond  Greenleap. 

In  the  Name  of  God  Amen  the  two  &  twentieth  day  of  Decemb' 
sixteene  hundred  sixty  &  eight  I  Edmond  Greeneleife,  being  mind- 
fnll  of  my  owne  mortality  an  certainety  of  Death,  &.  vncertainty  of  the 
Tyme  &,  beeing  desirose  to  settle  things  in  order,  beeing  now  in 
Good  health  &  perfect  memory  doe  make  appoynt  &  Ordaine  this  to 
be  my  last  will  &  testament  in  Manner  &,  forme  folowiug,  That  is 
to  say  first  and  prinsipally,  I  give  &  bequeath  my  soule  into  the 
hands  of  my  blessed  redeemer  the  Lord  Jesus  who  hath  Dyed  &  gaue 
himselfe  for  mee,  &  his  blood  clenseth  from  all  Sinne  &  through  his 
righteousnese  I  doe  onely  looke  for  Justification  &,  saluation,  and  doe 
comit  my  Mortall  body,  after  this  Life  is  ended  vnto  the  Dust  from 
whence  it  was  taken,  there  to  be  preserued,  by  the  power  of  the 
faythfulnese  of  my  Redeemer  Jesus  Christ,  vntill  the  Resurection  of 
the  Just,  and  then  to  be  raised  vp  by  the  same  power  to  Imortality 
&  Life,  where  I  shall  see  him  as  he  is,  and  shall  ever  be  with  him  & 
in  this  fayth  &  hope  I  desier  through  his  Grace  &,  Assistance  to  Hue 
&  Dye  in,  &  at  last  to  be  found  of  him  in  peace,  Nextly  my  will 
is  beeing  according  to  Gods  will  reuealed  in  his  word  that  we  must 
pay  what  wee  owe  &  Liue  of  the  rest  vnto  whose  rule  the  sons  of 
men  ought  to  frame  there  wills  &  actions  therefore  my  mind  &  will 
is  that  my  debts  shall  be  truly  and  Justly  payd  to  euery  man  to  whome 
I  shall  be  indebted,  by  my  Executors  heereafter  named.  And  first  I 
doe  reuoke  renounce  frustrate  &  make  void  all  wills  by  mee  formerly 
made  &  declare  &  appoynt  this  to  be  my  last  will  and  testament 
Imprimis  I  giue  vnto  my  sonne  Stephen  Greeneleife,  and  to  my 
Daughter  Browne  Widdow,  and  to  my  Daughter  Cofiin  to  each  of 
them  twenty  shillings  apeice.  Item  I  giue  vnto  my  Grand  child 
Elizabeth  Hilton  ten  pounds,     Item  I  giue  to  my  Grand  child  Enoch 


*  EARLY   WILLS. 

Grccncleife  fiuc  pounds,  Item  I  giue  to  my  Granrlchilcl  Sarah 
Winslow  fiue  pounds  if  her  father  pay  me  the  foure  pounds  lie  oweth 
mee,  Item  I  giue  vnto  my  Eldest  sons  son  James*  Greeneleife 
twenty  shillings  &  after  my  liincrall  Expcnccs  debts  &  Legacies  are 
Discharged,  I  giue  &  bequeath  the  rest  of  my  Estate,  vnto  my  son 
Stcplien  Greeneleife,  and  to  my  Daughter  Elizabeth  Browne,  and  to 
my  Daughter  Judah  Coffine,  equally  to  be  diuided  amongst  them  and 
their  Ciiildren  <fe  further  I  desier  &  appoynt  my  son  Stephen  Green- 
leife  &  Tristram  CoflSne  the  Executors  of  this  my  will  to  see  it 
Executed  &  gformed  as  ncerc  as  the  can  &  I  farther  intreat  my 
Cozens  Thomas  Moore  Marriner  to  see  to  the  pformance  of  this 
my  will,  In  Witnese  whereof  I  haue  set  to  my  hand  &  scale  this 
twenty  fifth  Day  of  Decemb^  1668. 

Signed  sealed  published  &  Declared 
to  be  my  last  will  in  p^'sence  of  vs  Edmond 

George  Ruggell  Grenlefe  &  a  seale 

John  Ferniside. 

When  I  maried  my  wife  I  kept  her  Grand  Child  as  I  best  remember 
3  yeare  to  Scooling  Dyet  &  apparell  &  William  Hill  her  son  had  a 
bond  of  six  pound  a  yeare  whereof  I  Receiued  no  more  then  a  barrell 
of  porke  of  3"' :  0-0  of  that  6-0-0  a  yere  he  was  to  pay  mee  &  I 
sent  to  lier  son  Ignatius  Hill  to  the  Barbados  in  Mackrell  Sider  & 
bred  &  pease  as  much  as  come  to  twenty  pound  I  neuer  receaued  one 
penny  of  itt :  his  Aunt  gaue  to  the  three  Brothers  50"" :  a  peice  I 
know  not  whether  they  receaued  it  or  noe  but  I  have  not  receiued 
any  gt  of  it.  Wittnes  my  hand 

beside  when  I  married  my  wife  Edmond 

she  brought  mee  A  siluer  boule  Greenlep      29.  5.  68. 

a  siluer  porringer  a  siluer  spon 
she  Lent  or  gaue  them  to  her  son 
James  Hill  without  my  consent. 

Proved  12  April  167L 

Anthony  Somerby. 

In  the  name  of  god,  and  with  the  assistance  of  his  holy  spirit,  I 
Anthony  Somerby  of  Newbury  in  the  County  of  Essex  Newe 
Ma  being  sencible  of  my  owne  weaknes  &  mortality,  being  through 
gods  mercy  of  Inditfcrent  health  of  body  &  of  perfect  memory,  doe 
here  make  my  last  will  &  Testament,  Coiuending  my  Soule  into  the 
hands  of  my  blessed  Redeemer  Jesus  christ,  and  my  body  when  it 
shall  descease  this  fraile  life  to  be  buryed  in  the  burying  place  of 
Newbury  betweenc  my  deare  Relations  my  wife  &  son.  In  an  assured 
hope  of  a  blessed  Resurrection,  And  for  my  worldly  goods  which 

*  There  is  no  other  trace  of  this  son,  and  perhaps  the  name  should  be  Joseph. 


EARLY   WILLS.  O 

god  of  his  free  mercy  hath  betrusted  me  with  in  this  my  pilgrimage 
I  desire  to  dispose  as  followeth 

Imp"'  I  give  &  bequeath  to  my  Grandson  Henry  Somerby  all  my 
now  dwelling  house  &  barne  &  housing  with  the  freehold  of  Comon- 
age  belonging  to  it,  with  Orchard  &  twenty  eight  acres  of  Arable  & 
pasture  land,  adioyneing  to  the  house  with  ray  portion  of  Salt  marsh 
in  Plumb  Hand  (except  six  acres  which  I  reserue  for  his  two  brothers 
next  Joseph  Cokers  land)  &  I  also  give  him  ray  six  acres  of  Salt 
Marsh  below  Pine  Hand  all  which  I  giue  hira  dureing  his  naturall, 
and  to  his  lawfull  heires  but  if  lawfull  Issue  faile  then  I  giue  it  to 
his  next  brother  prouided  that  he  fulfill  my  will  here  expressed. 

It.  I  giue  to  my  Grandaughter  Elizabeth  Moody  (besids  what 
she  haue  had)  twenty  shillings  in  mony,  and  ten  shillings  to  her  son 
Daniel  within  one  yeare  after  my  descease. 

Also  I  giue  &  bequeath  vnto  my  Grandson  Abiel  Somerby  the 
foure  acre  lot  that  was  John  Hutchins  with  the  Orchard  &  freehold 
of  Comonage  belonging  to  it.  And  a  parcell  of  arable  land  lying  on 
the  west  of  that  I  purchased  of  John  Hutchins,  bounded  from  about 
the  midle  of  the  said  orchard  fence  on  a  strait  lyne  to  the  rocke  on 
the  brow  of  the  hill  &  from  the  said  Rocke  on  a  straight  lyne  to  the 
street  fence  being  about  three  acres  more  or  lesse  the  foure  acre  lot 
to  come  from  the  south  west  corner  of  the  orchard  fence,  in  the 
ancient  bounds  through  the  calfe  pasture  also  I  giue  him  three  acres 
of  Salt  marsh  in  Plumb  Hand  &  halfe  the  six  acres  I  bought  of  Sol- 
lomon  Keyes  with  my  musquet  sword  &  belt  this  I  giue  him  dureing 
his  naturall  life  &  to  his  lawful  heires  but  if  lawfull  Issue  faile  I  giue 
it  to  his  brother  Anthony  &  the  booke  of  M^  Dike  on  a  good  con- 
science. 

Also  I  giue  &  bequeath  vnto  ray  Grandson  Anthony  Somerby  my 
pasture  land  called  the  new  pasture  as  it  is  fenced  in  to  itselfe  &  six 
acres  of  Salt  marsh  that  is  three  acres  in  Plumb  Hand  &  three  of 
that  I  bought  of  Sollomon  Keyes,  those  two  parcels  of  Salt  marsh  to 
be  equally  divided  between  Abiel  &  Anthony :  and  my  ten  acres  of 
meadow  in  birchen  meadowes  to  be  equally  divided  between  Henry 
Abiel  &  Anthony,  This  portion  I  giue  to  Anthony  when  he  shalbee 
of  the  age  of  one  and  twenty  yeares  dureing  his  naturall  life  &  to 
his  lawful  heirs  but  if  lawfull  Issue  faile  then  the  pasture  to  Henry 
&  the  meadow  to  Abiell  also  I  giue  him  ray  bible  &  M""  Rogers  sea- 
uen  treatises  &  a  Carbine  &  sword. 

Also  I  appoint  Henry  to  break  vp  two  acres  of  land  for  Anthony. 

Also  I  giue  vnto  each  of  my  Grandaughters  Abigail  &  Rebecca 
fifty  pounds  a  peice  to  be  paid  in  corne  &  cattle  at  the  daycs  of  their 
marryag  or  in  a  twelue  month  after  or  at  the  age  of  one  &  twenty 
years  or  two  &  twenty. 

Also  I  giue  Elizabeth  Morse  a  cow  &  two  ewe  sheep  at  the  day  of 
her  marryage. 

And  wheras  ray  Daughter  in  law  had  a  hundred  pounds  allowed 


4  EARLY    WILLS. 

her  for  the  thirds  of  her  husbands  estate  there  is  threescore  pounds 
in  her  brother  John  Kellyes  hands,  And  1  appoint  her  that  three- 
score pounds,  and  forty  pounds  more  to  be  paid  to  her  out  of  ray 
StocUe  by  my  executor  with  tiic  goods  that  are  in  her  Roome,  And 
to  haue  liberty  to  dwel  in  the  iiouse  without  any  molestation;  Dure- 
ing  her  widdowhood  her  son  Henry  to  find  her  firewood  &  to  pay 
her  six  pounds  yearly  in  Corne  &  prouisions  And  in  Consideration 
of  Henry  paying  my  debts  &  legacyes  and  his  motiiers  six  pounds 
yearely  I  giue  him  all  my  booke  &  bill  Debts  &  all  my  stocke  & 
household  goods  vndisposed  of  And  to  have  Abiels  work  vntill  he  be 
of  the  age  of  one  &  twenty  years  finding  liim  meat  drink  &  apparrell 
Also  I  giue  to  M'^  Richardson  twenty  shillings  in  pay  &  to  Elinar 
Davis  twenty  shillings  in  pay  &  to  Richard  Bartlet  ten  shillings  & 
thirty  shillings  to  the  poore  of  Newbury 

And  hereby  I  appoint  Henry  Somerby  my  true  &  lawfull  heire  & 
sole  executor  of  this  my  last  will  &  testament 

And  Desire  my  trusty  &  well  beloued  freinds  my  brother  Tristram 
Coffin  &  my  Cousen  Nathaniel  Clark  senr  to  be  the  ouerscers  of  my 
last  will  &  testament  Revokeing  all  former  wills  acknowledging  this 
my  last  will  &  testament  my  debts  &  funerall  being  Discharged 

January  22*''  1685 
As  witness  my  hand  &  scale 

owned  &  sealed  before  us  Anthony  Somerby     Seal 

Augusten  Steedman 
Willim  Moffit 

Proved  26  October  1686. 


Richard  Knight. 

This  17"'  of  Agust  1681 

I  Richard  Knight  of  Newbery  being  now  in  helth  and  while  ray 
memory  is  good  and  know  not  how  sudenly  I  may  leaue  this  world 
and  being  desirous  to  set  my  outward  estat  that  God  hath  given  me 
in  order  acording  to  my  Minde  do  Therfore  ordain  and  make  my 
last  will  and  Testament  as  followeth. 

First  That  when  my  time  is  com  I  commit  my  soule  to  god  that 
gaue  it  and  my  body  vnto  the  Earth  to  be  buried  to  waite  for  my 
Reserection  by  my  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Secondly  I  give  and  bequeth  vnto  my  Granchild  John  Keley 
my  lot  at  the  old  toune  joyning  vnto  Josep  Elslys  vpland  and  the 
oxcomon  and  ffive  ackers  of  marish  medow  joyning  vnto  m""  Sewales 
raarrish  land  and  Josep  Elslys  and  by  Thomas  Heals.  And  Likwise 
five  ackers  of  marrish  land  at  Plom  Iland  joyning  vnto  my  daughter 
Rebeca  Somerby s  land  she  had  of  me  and  by  Capt  Daniel  1  Perces 
land  on  the  south  with  all  the  apurtenances  belonging  to  it:  (erasure) 
all  this  land  vnto  the  said  John  Keley  to  Inioy  to  him  and  his 
heiers  for  euer  after  his  mother  Sarah  Keley  and  his  ffather  John 


EARLY    WILLS.  0 

Kelleys  decease  but  if  my  Granchild  John  Keley  dy  without  anie 
child  surviving  of  his  body  lawfully  begotten:  then  the  whole  both 
vpland  and  medow  to  return  vnto  his  brother  Jonathan  Keley  and 
his  heiers  foreuer :  but  if  John  Keley  do  live  to  Inioy  it  he  shall  pay 
vnto  his  Brother  Jonathan  ten  pounds  in  Marchantabl  corn  or  catell 
vnder  7  yer  old  and  If  Jonathan  com  to  Inioy  it  he  shall  pay  unto 
his  sister  Rebeca  Keley  ten  pound  in  like  pay. 

Thirdly  I  giue  vnto  my  Grauchild  Richard  Keley  ray  house  and 
housing  and  barns  and  orchards  and  all  the  rest  of  ray  land  both 
vpland  and  raedow  and  pastures  and  comonag  with  his  brother  John 
to  Inioy  to  him  and  his  heires  for  euer  after  his  mother  Sara  Keleys 
and  his  father  John  Kelys  decease  :  and  if  Richard  Keley  dye  without 
a  Child  surviving  of  his  body  lawfully  begoten  Then  the  whole  both 
housing  barns  and  orchards  and  all  the  land  before  mentioned  for 
Richard  To  Return  vnto  his  brother  Abiell  Keley  and  his  heirs  for 
euer  with  the  Comonag  and  privilids  before  mentioned :  and  Ife 
Richard  Keley  do  live  to  Inioy  it  he  shall  pay  vnto  abiell  Keley 
twenty  pounds  in  marchantabl  corn  or  cattell  or  ife  Abiell  Keley  do 
Inioy  it  he  shall  pay  his  sister  Sara  Keley  twenty  pounds. 

4thiy  Concerning  my  son  in  law  Henry  Jaquis  and  Ann  his  wif 
when  they  were  maried  I  gave  them  thirty  ackers  of  vpland  and 
medow  and  now  I  giue  vnto  hira  three  pounds  to  be  paid  within  three 
years  after  my  decease  and  likwise  I  giue  vnto  Ann  his  wife  hue 
pounds  to  be  paid  within  five  jeam  after  my  decease  or  before  if 
my  executors  can  well  do  it. 

5'y  I  giue  vnto  my  Granchildren  Anthoney  Mosse  and  Josep 
Mosse  ten  pounds  apeec  and  vnto  Elizabeth  Mosse  twenty  pounds : 
the  forty  pounds  to  be  paid  within  seven  year  after  my  decease  or 
before  if  my  Executors  can  well  do  it. 

6'y  Besid  the  medow  and  Cattell  I  gaue  vnto  my  daughter 
Somerby  when  she  married  with  Abiell  Somerby :  I  do  now  Ingaig 
my  executors  to  pay  vnto  my  daughter  Rebeca  Somerby  sixty  pounds 
that  I  then  promised  within  a  yer  and  halfe  alter  my  decease. 

7thiy  J  (Jq  jjq^  make  my  daughter  Sara  Keley  and  her  husband 
John  Keley  my  Executors  and  to  Inioy  all  my  housing  and  all  my 
land  both  vpland  and  raedow  with  all  my  Comonag  and  privilidges 
and  flfences  belonging  to  my  land  and  with  all  my  stock  of  Cat- 
tell and  horse  kine  and  sheep  and  swine  and  goods  during  their 
lives :  and  do  Ingaig  them  by  this  gsent  to  pay  the  fore  mentioned 
Lygacies  which  is  on  hundred  and  eight  pounds  and  within  the  time 
prefixt  and  my  debts  and  Charg  for  my  ffunerall  and  to  my  ouerseers 
for  their  pains  and  time  expended  about  ray  will  and  my  will  is  that  if 
my  daughter  Sarah  Keley  should  dy  before  her  husband  John  Keley  : 
that  yet  my  housall  goods  both  beding  brasse  &  puter  with  the  other 
things  in  the  house  after  John  Kelys  death  may  reraaine  vnto  my 
daughter  Saras  Children  as  ther  father  John  Keley  while  he  lives  do 
see  have  most  need  of  it :  I  say  the  Children  of  his  body. 


EARLY    WILLS. 


Likwise  I  do  desir  my  two  Loving  ffrcnds  m''  Nicholas  Noic  and 
Robert  Lonpj  to  be  my  ouer  seers  that  ray  will  may  be  performed  and 
accordinfr  to  the  time.  p  me  Richard  Knight. 

Signed  Selcd  and  apointed 

to  bo  in  fforc  after  my  deceas  Seal 

(This  to  lines  that  is  struk  out  in 
the  11  and  twclv  lines  was  Struk  out 
before  the  Signig  and  Seling  was  don 

Witnes         Nicholas  Noyes 
Robert  Long 

Proved  25  September  1683. 


Richard  Lowle. 

Bee  it  knowne  vnto  all  men  by  these  p-'sents  that  I  Richard  Lowle 
of  Newbury  in  the  Countie  of  Essex  Newe :  Massac :  being  sencible 
of  mine  owne  weaknes  &  mortality  being  of  perfect  memorie  doe 
here  make  my  last  will  &  Testament  comending  my  soule  into  the 
hands  of  my  blessed  Sauiour  &  Redeemer  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ : 
and  my  body  to  the  earth  from  wlience  it  was  taken,  In  assured  hope 
of  a  happy  Resurrection  in  the  day  of  the  appeareing  of  Jesus  christ. 
And  for  my  worldly  Goods  I  dispose  of  as  followeth. 

Lnp'':  I  giue  and  bequeath  vuto  my  loueing  &  beloued  wife  Mar- 
geret.  all  my  houshold  Goods  (except  my  great  Bible,  and  my  great 
pot)  &  Chattells,  with  iiouse  &  land  &  orchard  and  meadow,  dureing 
her  widdowhood,  or  naturall  life  if  shee  remaine  a  widdow.  also  I 
appoint  my  said  wife  to  bee  my  sole  executrix  of  this  my  last  will  & 
testament  And  after  her  I  giue  &  bequeath  vnto  my  son  Perciuall 
Lowle,  all  my  house  &  Barne  &  outhouseing  &  orchard  with  all 
my  land  adioyneing  to  my  house  (except  tweluo  acres  on  the  north- 
easterly side  of  my  Land)  also  I  giue  to  my  Son  Perciuall  my  twelue 
acres  of  Marsh  in  the  great  marshes  by  the  Pimib  bushes,  and  fiue  . 
acres  of  marsh  or  meadow  below  Beniamin  Rolfes,  and  two  acres  of 
my  marsh  of  the  eight  acres  at  old  Towne,  and  also  the  one  halfe  of 
my  freehold  &  preuiledg  of  Commonnag  and  my  great  pot  &  my 
great  Bible.  And  I  do  hereby  acknowlcdg  that  the  meadow  in 
Birchen  meadows  which  was  formerly  mine  to  bee  my  Son  Perciualls 
by  purchase 

Also  1  giue  and  bequeath  to  my  Son  Thomas  Lowle  twelue  acres 
of  my  vpland  adioyneing  to  James  Brownes  and  Nathaniel  Clarks 
land  &  widdow  Muzzyes  land.  So  much  in  breadth  at  the  street  as 
railing  the  whole  length,  bearing  an  equall  breadth  as  shall  amount 
to  twelue  acres.  Alwayes  prouided  that  if  my  son  Samuell  Lowle 
desire  one  acre  of  land  to  build  an  house  for  his  sctled  habitation, 
then  my  son  Thomas  shall  let  my  son  Samuell  haue  an  acre  adioyne- 
ing to  the  widdow  Muzzyes  land  foure  Rods  in  front  next  the  street 
and  forty  Rods  in  length,  but  if  my  Sou  Samuell  shall  refuse  or  re- 


EARLY    WILLS.  < 

linquish  his  Right  in  the  acre  of  land,  as  in  this  ray  will  abousaid  by 
mee  giuen.  Then  my  son  Thomas  shall  pay  to  my  said  Son  Samuell 
six  pound  in  currant  Newengl :  siluer  mony  or  ten  pound  in  Currant 
pay.  Also  I  giue  to  my  Sonne  Thomas  Lowle  all  my  Plumb  Hand 
Lott  of  Marsh  Land,  and  six  acres  of  my  eight  acres  of  salt  Marsh 
at  the  old  Towne  marsh,  also  I  giue  to  him  the  other  halfe  of  my  free- 
hold or  preuiledg  in  Comoning  or  Comon  lands.  And  after  my  wiues 
decease,  I  giue  all  my  houshold  goods,  &  moueables :  of  what  kind 
soeuer  within  or  without  doores,  to  be  equally  diuided  between  my 
two  sons  Perciuall  Lowle  &  Thomas  Lowle  or  their  heires,  also  I  giue 
all  my  liueing  stock  of  Cattell  to  my  Son  Tho :  Lowle  Also  I  giue 
liberty  to  my  Sonne  Thomas  Lowle  to  liue  in  the  house  &  to  liaue 
the  sixt  part  of  the  Apples  yearly  so  long  as  he  Hues  a  single  man 
without  a  wife  and  no  longer,  and  I  giue  a  booke  called  m''  Hookers 
politic  vnto  Anthony  Somerby,  my  debts  &  funerall  being  discharged 
by  my  executrix,  I  do  hereby  declare  this  to  be  my  last  will  & 
Testament  Renownceing  &  makeing  Null  all  former  wills  by  mee 
made  &  herevnto  I  set  my  hand  &  scale  June  25"'  1681 

signed  &  sealed  in  gsence  of  Richard  Lowle     Seal 

Tristram  Coffin 
Anthony  Somerby. 

Proved  26  September  1682. 

Henry  Rolpe. 
The  15^^  12*^  month  1642 
I  desire  to  comend  my  soule  into  the  hands  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  I  desire  my  goods  may  be  equally  divided  to  my  wife  &  all 
my  children,  only  my  sonne  John  Roffe  must  have  the  house  &  lands 
more  then  all  the  rest  of  my  children  and  that  their  porcoiis  shalbe 
divided  when  they  be  2 1  yeares  of  age  if  they  marry  not  before  In 
case  my  wife  dye  or  marry  then  the  goods  shalbe  divided;  otherwise 
not  till  my  eldest  childe  come  to  be  21  yeares  of  age  But  still  to 
remayne  in  their  mothers  hands  with  the  rest  till  that  either  of  them 
are  21  yeares  of  age  or  marry  If  any  of  my  children  dye  then  that 
porcon  shalbe  equally  divided  betweene  my  wife  &  the  rest  of  ray 
children  I  doe  give  vnto  my  wife  one  great  brasse  pott  and  one 
great  brasse  pann  and  a  great  brasse  posnett  and  a  chafingdish  and 
five  pewter  platters  I  doe  give  vnto  my  Kinsman  Thomas  Whittear 
a  swarme  of  bees.  I  desire  my  brother  John  Roffe  and  my  Cosen 
John  Saunders  of  Sallisbery  and  William  Moudy  of  Newberry  to 
oversee  my  will  &  order  it  to  my  desire  &  accordinge  to  my  will 
Witncs  herevnto  I  set  my  hand 

Thomas  Hale  Henry  Roffe. 

Thomas  Cowllman 

William  Mose 
This  will  was  proved  in  Ipswich  Court  28*"  first  mo:  1643. 


8 


EARLY    WILLS. 


Honour  Rolfe. 

Henry  Largin  of  Charlstowne*  house  of  Thomas 

Blanchan]  on  n  wlicre  widdow  noiiour  Rolfe  lay 

berry  lay  sick,  shoe  did  declare  h 
be;  that  her  sonne  Beiiiamin  Rolfe  should  haue  the  sub- 
stance of  her  estate,  which  was  her  owne  &  jDg  estate,  &  that 
he  should  be  her  sole  Executor.  Only  she  gaue  these  gticulers 
as  followeth,  her  bedding  &  clothes  linnen  and  woollen  she  gaue  to 
be  equally  deuided  betwixt  her  two  daughters.  Also  slice  gaue 
twenty  shillings  a  piece  to  her  foure  grand  children  to  be  giuen  them 
five  yeares  after  her  death.  Also  one  little  Cowc  she  gaue  to  her 
Daughter  yt  Hues  at  Newberry.  Also  of  foure  pceces  of  Brasse  shee 
gaue  two  to  her  sonne  Beniamin,  which  he  should  Choose,  &  to  each 
of  her  daughters  one.  The  rest  she  gaue  to  her  sonne  Beniamine, 
saucing  two  pewter  platters  which  she  gaue  to  each  of  her  daughters 
one,  &  further  shee  exprest  her  mind  about  a  Barne  that  is  built  vpon 
gt  of  her  sonne  Beniamins  ground,  she  gaue  to  her  sonne  John  Rolfe 
all  her  interest  in  the  ground  that  the  Barne  stood  vpon.  this  is  the 
substance  of  her  expression  as  farr  as  he  can  remember 

memorandum  that  gt  of  the  22  the  whole  23.  24  &  gt  of  y*'  25  lines 
were  blotted  out 

Ri.  Bellingham 

Taken  vpon  oath  by  the  said  Henry  Largin  this  20-12-1650. 
who  further  saitli  that  the  said  Honor  Rolfe  was  of  a  disposeiug 
memory  before  me  Ri.  Belliugham. 

The  Testymoney  of  George  Vaijhan  Aged  abought  23  yeares  Con- 
cernin<r  tlie  last  will  of  Houo"^  Rolfe  widdow  deceased:  19"^  of  10'" 
m°  1(550. 

This  Deponent  saith  that  himselfe  being  in  p'"sence  together  with 
Henry  Largin  some  two  daies  before  the  death  of  the  aboue  said 
testator,  he  heard  her  make  this  her  last  will  in  maner  following. 

Inprimis  8he  bequeathed  all  her  estate  in  generall  to  her  yongest 
Sonne  Beniamine  Rolfe  onely  excepted  these  gticulers  which  follow: 

Item  to  her  foure  Grand  Children  she  gaue  twenty  shillings  apcec, 
to  be  paid  them  foure  or  tiue  yeare  after  that  time,  Item  all  her  Right 
in  halfe  an  acre  of  Ground  on  which  the  Barne  stands  and  a  yonge 
sowe  she  gaue  to  her  sonne  John  Rolfe : 

Item  a  little  Cowe  that  she  had  she  gaue  to  her  daughter  Hanah 
Dole. 

Item  all  her  weareing  Cloathes  &  bedding  she  gaue  to  be  equally 
deuided  betweene  her  two  Daughters  Anna  and  Hanah :  these 
gticulers  aboue  said  this  deponent  tooke  spetiall  notice  of;  &  further 
he  saith  not :  only  a  day  after  her  sonne  in  lawe  Richard  Dole  comeing 
to  her  desired  this  Deponent  to  Aske  her  what  she  would  doe  with 

*  The  blank  spaces  show  that  a  corner  of  the  original  paper  was  burnt  off. 


EARLY   WILLS.  » 

the  three  pounds  ten  shillings  in  England,  &  shee  Answered  that  she 
would  that  her  sonne  Beniamine  should  haue  a  sute  of  Cloathes  out 
of  it,  &  the  rest  he  should  haue  meaning  her  said  sonne  in  Lawe 
Richard  Dole. 

The  word  Beniamine  enterlined. 

Taken  upon  oath  this  20'^  of  the  12^''  m''  1650  before  me  William 
Hibbins. 

The  Court  vpon  the  Testimonyes  of  George  Vaughan  &  Henry 
Largin  of  Charles  towne  as  fare  as  there  Testimonys  doe  agree  is 
the  will  &  Testam*  of  Honour  Rofe  &  by  them  gued  in  the  Court 
held  at  Ipswich  the  30**^  of  (7)  1651. 

By  me  Robert  Lord  Cleric. 


M"  Katherine  Coytmore. 

The  last  will  &  testament  of  Katherin  Coytemoore  widdow  dwell- 
ing in  Charlestowne  in  New  England,  written  y'^  thirtieth  day  of  y^ 
second  moneth  one  thousand  sixe  hundred  tifty  &  eight. 

I  Katherin  Coytmoore  of  Charlestowne  aforesaid  doe  heerby  make 
this  my  last  will  &  testam*  in  manner  &  forme  as  followes ;  being 
at  p''sent  in  health  of  body  &  minde. 

Inp:  I  comend  my  soule  to  God,  &  my  body  I  comend  to  my 
children  &  friends  to  be  decently  buried. 

It :  I  give  &  bequeath  vnto  y*"  fower  children  of  my  sonne  Will 
Ting  of  Boston,  (formerly  deceased)  vid.  Elizab;  Anna,  Bethia  & 
Mercy  Ting  Two  hundred  pounds,  w'=''  said  two  hundred  pounds  I 
formerly  delivered  into  their  father  Wilt  Tings  hands,  as  will  appeare 
by  a  bond  vnder  his  hand  in  my  custody. 

It:  I  give  &  bequeath  vnto  these  fower  vid  Eliza15;  Anna, 
Bethia  &  Mercy  Ting  a  house  &  an  orchard  &  other  ground  by  it 
scituat  &  being  in  y*'  Neecke  of  land  at  Charlestowne  and  adioyn- 
ing  to  y°  Ferry  w*^'^  passeth  over  to  Maulden,  likewise  tenn  acres  of 
land  more  or  lesse  lying  at  Menatomyes,  &  a  parcell  of  medow 
lying  at  Wormewoods  poynt;  all  w'^''  house  &  land  aforesaid  were 
once  y*^  possession  of  M''  Abr :  Palmer. 

It :  I  give  &  bequeath  vnto  y°  said  Eliza'b,  Anna,  Bethia  & 
Mercy  Ting  my  eight  part  of  y^  mill  w'^''  Jn°  Fownell  houlds  in 
Charlestowne,  as  alsoe  three  Cow  Comons. 

It :  I  give  &  bequeath  vnto  ElizaTj.  Ting  two  Persia  Carpetts  & 
a  boxe  of  East  India  dishes,  &  two  fayre  window  Cushins. 

It:  I  give  &  bequeath  vnto  Anna  Ting  my  red  sattin  Quilt,  my 
Turky  Carpett,  &  my  great  lookeing  glasse,  a  screetore,  &  a  boxe  of 
trenchers. 

It :     I  give  &  bequeath  vnto  Bethia  Ting  my  needleworke  cloth 
Carpett,  and  a  boxe  of  East  India  dishes,  &  y®  Court  Cubbert  cloth 
belonging  therunto. 
2 


10  EARLY   WILLS. 

It:  I  give  &  bequeath  vnto  Mercy  Ting  my  Pantadoe  Quilt,  as 
alsoe  a  payre  of  my  best  Curta3'nes  &  valiants. 

It:  I  giue  &  bequeath  to  y''  fiue  children  of  ray  sonne  Increase 
Nowell,  vid:  Samuel,  Mehetabell,  Increase,  Mary,  &  Alexander; 
&  to  y"  fiue  children  of  my  daughter  Katherin  Graves,  vid  Thomas, 
Nathaniel,  Joseph,  Rebccka  &  Susana  Graves,  one  dwelling  house 
lately  inhabited  by  my  selfe,  now  inhabited  by  M""  Tho :  Shepheard 
iieer  to  y"  meeting  house  in  Charlestowne;  concerning  w'^''  house  & 
ground  therto  belonging  it  is  my  will  y*  it  shall  be  sould  by  my 
Executrixes,  &  y*  produce  therof  to  be  equally  dcvided  by  my 
Executrixes  to  y'^  five  children  of  my  sonne  Increase  Nowell,  & 
y*  five  children  of  my  daughter  Katherin  Graves  above  mentioned. 

It:  I  give  &  bequeath  to  my  grandchilde  Sarah  Williams,*  all 
my  land  w'^''  y*^  Towne  of  Charlestowne  hath  given  me  lying  & 
being  at  Woborne,  &  at  Misticke  side,  as  alsoe  fower  pounds  in 
household  goods. 

It :  I  give  &  bequeath  vnto  y<=  Pasto""  of  y''  Ch  :  of  Charlestowne 
M""  Zach :  Symes  y'^  sume  of  fiue  pounds. 

It :     I  give  &  bequeath  to  Margarett  Hutchison  twenty  shillings. 
It :     I  giue  &  bequeath  to  Widow  Nash  twenty  shills. 
It :     I  giue  &  bequeath  to  Ann  y*'  wife  of  Tho  :  Carter  twenty  shilts. 
It:     I  giue  &  bequeath  to  Deacon  Rob:  Hale  all  such  portions 
of  land  as  were  given  out  to  me  on  Maulden  side  in  y®  yeare   one 
thousand  sixe  hundred  fifty  &  eight,  together  w*''  forty  shitls  &  desyre 
y'  he  would  performe  y''  olfice  of  overseer  to  this  my  will. 

It :  I  give  &  bequeath  vnto  ElizaTj,  Anna,  Bethia  &  Mercy  the 
Children  of  Will  Ting     [Blank  in  the  original.] 

It :  my  will  is  y'  all  y*"  legacies  before  mentioned,  shall  be  re- 
served &  kept  in  my  Executrixes  hands  a  full  halfe  yeare  after 
my  decease,  &  then  to  be  payd  by  them. 

But  if  any  person  or  persons  to  whome  I  have  bequeathed  any 
thingo  as  before  mentioned,  be  not  contented  w"'  my  last  will  & 
y«  perticulers  therein  bequeathed,  but  shall  causelessly  molest,  trou- 
ble, vex  or  cause  to  be  troubled  either  of  my  two  Executrixes,  or 
any  of  their  heyres,  Executors,  administrators,  or  Assignes,  then  I 
doe  recall  from  any  such  soe  doeing,  my  former  guift  or  gifts,  &  I 
only  bequeath  vnto  him  or  her  soe  molesting  as  abovesaid  fiue  shills 
out  of  my  whole  estate  &  noe  more. 

And  I  doe  appoynt  &  ordayne  my  two  daughters  ParncU  Nowell 
&  Katherin  Graves  to  be  my  sole  Executrices  of  this  my  last  will  & 
Testam*  to  both  w"^"  I  doe  bequeath  y"  rest  of  my  vubequeathed 
goods. 

It:     To  Martha  Cogin  widow  of  M'  Jn"  Cogin  I  give  one  silver 

wine  Cup. 

Cathren  Coitmore 

Seal. 

•  This  was  probably  the  daughter  of  Parnel  Nowell  by  her  first  husband  Parker. 


11 


EARLY   WILLS. 

Signed,  sealed  &  witnessed  in  y^  pres- 
ence of  vs  whose  names  are  heervnto 
subscribed    this    30*^  day  of   y^   second 
raoneth    in   y®    yeare    of   o"^   Lord   one 
thousand  sixe  hundred  fifty  &  eight. 
Thomas  Starr 
Robert  Hale 
John  Wightman. 
Proved  27  December  1659. 


Tristram  Coffin. 

In  the  name  of  God  amen  I  Tristram  Coffin  of  Newbury  In  the 
Countey  of  Essex  Masachusett  provans  New  england  I  being  sensa- 
bell  of  my  owne  martallity  and  at  this  time  of  a  desposing  mind  dow 
mak  this  as  my  last  Will  and  testament  coraiting  my  Sole  to  God  In 
and  tharow  the  marrits  of  Jesus  Christ  and  my  boody  to  the  dust  in 
hops  of  a  joyfull  Resuarection  and  as  for  my  wourldly  goods  which 
God  hath  geuen  me  I  despose  of  them  as  folloeth 

1.  I  dou  hear  by  ordar  and  appoyent  my  sou  Nathanuel  Coffin  to 
take  spesshall  care  of  my  wife  his  mothar  to  prouid  for  har  in  all 
Respectes  duoring  har  life  all  things  nessesary  for  har  comfortabell 
being  both  In  sicknis  and  in  heleth. 

2.  My  Will  is  and  I  dou  hear  by  geue  to  my  son  James  Coffin  to 
him  his  heirs  and  assigns  the  hous  he  now  leuith  in  and  tlie  shop  the 
two  barns  next  his  hous  and  on  half  of  the  pastuor  land  ajoyning 
Including  his  orchard  as  part  of  it  that  side  next  maiar  March  is  land, 
soo  much  frunt  as  from  March  is  land  to  half  way  the  Cow  yeard 
betwen  the  Barns :  as  allso  all  tiie  plowland  I  bouft  of  John  Long  and 
Shuball:  to  In  loy  the  3  acres  and  a  half  with  in  one  year  aftar  my 
death  and  tou  partes  of  fieue  of  all  coman  priviligis.  In  the  twons 
comans:  and  the  one  half  part  of  my  orchard  and  pastuor  land  at 
Trotters  bridg:  and  one  half  of  the  meddow  I  bouft  of  Parsifill  Lowle: 
and  fower  acres  of  that  meddow  ajoyning  to  deacon  Colin  Noys  all 
the  leneght  of  the  medow  of  equall  bredth  at  both  ends :  and  seuen 
acres  of  meddo  at  Jeryco  which  I  bouft  of  Mr  Dole  and  a  lot  of 
meddo  at  Plumb  Hand  which  I  bouft  of  Richard  Jackman.  and  the 
othar  pece  of  meddow  wliich  I  bouft  of  Jackman,  at  ould  twon :  and 
and  the  seven  acres  of  meddow  at  Salesbury  beach :  and  two  partes 
of  tieue  of  my  free  hold  lots :  and  one  half  of  the  woudland  I  bouft 
of  Edmon  Moores  and  one  theird  part  of  the  Rate  lot  I  bouft  of 
Joseph  Plumer  and  one  halfe  of  the  Rate  lot  at  John  Emoris  Med- 
dow: Including  that  .6.  acres  which  the  Comety  grantid  him  to  be 
part  of  it  and  one  halfe  of  the  woud  lot  lately  laid  out  which  joynitL 
to  Richard  Browns  lot.  and  docktar  Topans  :  and  all  that  lot  of  up- 
land which  lieth  in  Salesbury.  which  I  bouft  of  M""  Bayley  all  wais 
prouidid  that  my  son  James  Coffin  pay  to  his  brothar  Nathanuell 


12 


EARLY    WILLS. 


Coffin  fortey  sliillins  a  year  duaring  his  mothars  life  to  be  paid  In 
or  as  money  far  liar  supply. 

^  3  My  will  is  and  I  dow  geue  to  my  son  Stephen  Coffin  to  liim 
his  heirs  and  assigns  all  my  housing  and  upland  and  meddows  with 
pi-iviligis  of  Comnian  Reights  belonging  to  me  in  hauorhill.  and  all  my 
meddo  within  the  bounds  of  M''  Hookes  farme.  and  all  my  meddow  at 
Plumb  Hand  at  the  North  end  of  the  Hand  callid  the  hundrid  acres: 
and  one  fifte  part  of  Comman  Reights  in  Newbury :  and  one  lift  part 
of  my  free  hould  lotes.  and  one  theird  part  of  the  Rate  lot  I  bouft  of 
Joseph  Plumer.  he  paiing  to  his  son  Tristram  fieue  pounds 

4  My  will  is  I  geue  to  my  son  Petar  Coffin  to  him  his  heirs  and 
assigns  for  euer  the  farm  atglostar  with  the  Hand  and  all  priuiligis 
in  Coman  within  the  tuon  ship  of  glostar  the  which  I  have  geuen  him 
a  deed  of:  and  I  geve  him  six  shillins  and  I  dou  hear  by  ordar  my 
said  son  Petar  Coffin :  to  pay  to  his  brothar  Nathanuell  Coffin  all 
that  Is  due  to  me  from  him  ethar  by  book  l)ill.  or  bond :  and  the  6"» 
a  year  that  my  wife  should  rescue  of  him  anually.  duoring  har 
natural  life  becas  my  son  Nathanuell  must  provid  for  his  mothar. 

5:  My  will  Is  and  I  dou  geue  to  my  son  Nathanuel  Coffin  to 
him.  his  heirs  and  assigns  my  now  dwelling  hous  with  my  barnes 
and  pastuor  land  a  joyning  and  archards  so  much  frunt  as  from 
Richard  Browns  land  to  half  way  the  cow  yeard  :  betwen  the  barns : 
and  two  partes  of  fieue  of  all  Coman  Reights  in  Newbury  and  all  my 
Plowland  a  joyning  to  Josepli  Downers  land  :  and  the  one  half  of  my 
archard  and  pastuar  land  at  Trotters  bridg  and  one  half  of  the  wood 
land  I  bouft  of  Edmon  Moore:  and  the  one  halfe  of  my  Rate  lot  at 
Emaris  meddow:  Including  my  son  Jamses  is  .6.  acres  as  part  of  it: 
and  the  one  theird  part  of  the  Rate  lot  I  bouft  of  Joseph  Plumer.  and 
2  parts  of  fieue  of  my  free  howld  lots  :  and  that  Rat  lot  that  I  bouft 
of  Hugli  March  and  Hains.  by  John  Browns  uper  hous  ajoyning  to  the 
land  Petar  Coffin  bouft  of  John  Bartlet  and  all  my  medow  at  littell 
Pin  Hand,  and  all  the  .6.  acres  I  bouft  of  Nath  Badger,  and  all  the 
medow.  bouft  of  the  longs  fl  of  Danil  OsoUoway :  ecsepting  the  .4. 
acres  geuen  to  James  :  and  half  the  medow  I  l)ouft  of  Parsifell  Lowle: 
and  all  the  medow  at  JcRccow  one  the  north  east  sid  of  the  creek, 
and  fower  lots  at  Pliunb  Hand  of  mcddo:  Whelars  lot  and  Smith  .2. 
lots  and  Grenlef  lot :  and  the  one  halfe  of  the  woud  lot  lately  laid  out 
liing  betwen  Richard  Browns  and  dockter  Toppans :  as  allso  all  my 
howhowld  goods  and  cattell  and  shep :  and  swine  and  harsis  and  all 
othar  things  belonging  to  me  and  all  my  debtes  due  to  me  by  book 
bills  ad  bonds  or  othar  wise. 

6.  My  will  is  I  geue  to  my  grand  son  Tristram  Sambron :  fower 
pounds  to  be  paid  to  him  by  his  fathar  out  of  the  money  I  lent  him 
to  by  meddow  with,  and  the  Remaindar  I  geue  to  my  daftar  Judeth. 

7  Itam  I  geue  to  my  daftar  Deborah  Knight  5^  and  :  twelf  walnot 
trese  :  In  that  land  I  bouft  of  Edman  Moores  :  ad  to  har  son  Tristram 
Knight  a  cowe. 


EARLY  WILLS.  13 

8  I  geue  to  my  daftar  Marey  Littel  5^  ad  to  bar  son  Tristram 
Littel  a  cow  and  .2.  Shep : 

9  :     I  geue  to  my  daftar  Lidea  Pike  :  5^ : 

10.  I  geue  to  my  grand  daftar  Marey  Littell  a  fethar  bed  and 
bostar  and  pillo.  and  apar  of  blinkits  and  2  couer  leds  and  2  pare  of 
shetes. 

11.  my  will  is  and  I  dou  hear  by  appoyent  my  son  Nathanuell 
Coffin  to  be  the  executar  of  this  my  will  to  pay  all  my  honist  deptes 
and  to  reseue  all  my  debtes.  and  to  par  forme  the  legissis  according 
to  this  ray  will  and  to  take  speshall  care  of  his  mothar  In  har  age 
and  I  dou  Renouns  all  formar  wils  by  me  made  ad  declar  this  to  be 
my  last  will  as  witnis  my  hand  and  sail  this  .12.  dy  of  May  1703  ad 
in  the  Second  year  of  the  Reign  of  our  Souerin  lady  Quen  Ann  of 
england  ec. 

Signid  Selid  ad  ownid  in  the  presens  of 

Rich'''^  Brown  jun""  Teistram  COFPIN 

Anthony  Somerby 

Nicolas  Pettingell  Seal 

Proved  23  February  1704. 


Stephen  Greenlbap. 

Because  I  know  not  ye  day  of  my  death  I  make  this  my  last  will 
&  testament  I  bequeath  my  bodye  to  y''  Earth  &  my  Soule  to  god  y' 
gave  itt  In  hope  of  a  blessed  Resurrection. 

1.  I  Give  to  my  eldest  sone  Stephen  Greenleif  y*^  one  halfe  of 
my  house  Lott  that  half  next  him,  he  making  all  y*'  ffence  that 
lyeth  against  his  owne  land,  I  give  him  also  ray  share  of  y°  Island 
that  wee  bought  betwixt  vs  of  Ephraira  Winslowe  of  Salisbury  with 
two  acres  of  y"  meadow  below  y*'  Island  next  Caleb  Moodyes  Mea- 
dow Provided  y*.  there  bee  liberty  for  Edmund  to  make  a  fFence  a 
Crosse  y^  Island  from  my  ditche  to  Docf  Dole  his  Ditche,  And  w" 
wood  may  bee  upon  y*^  Island  may  bee  vsed  to  repaire  y®  flfence,  And 
y*  my  sone  Stephen  w"'  his  brother  Edmund  &  Caleb  Moody  y*  is 
Engaged  do  y''  proportion  of  y*^  ffence  to  secure  their  meadow. 

2ndiy  J  gj^g  |.Q  j^y  gQ~g  JqJjq  Grecnlcif  besides  w"  he  hath  already 
had  my  ffreehold  lott,  att  plum  Island,  he  paying  to  his  sister  Mary 
five  pounds  in  paye  when  she  shall  bee  married  or  att  Eighteen 
years  of  age. 

3<iiy  I  giye  to  my  sone  Sam"  Greenleif  besides  y^  living  he  hath 
by  deed  of  gift,  five  sheepe  &  all  my  waring  Clothes. 

4thiy  J  giyg  jjjjy  gQ^Q  Tristram  that  living  att  Hartychoake  y^ 
ffreehold  lott  w*''  the  housing  &  ffences  to  itt,  &  y*'  two  River 
Lotts  of  Saltmarsh  att  fox  Island,  He  paying  to  his  sister  Mary  five 
pounds  in  pay,  when  she  shall  be  married  or  att  eighteen  years  of  Age. 

5thiy     I  g[yQ  jjiy  jjg^j-Q  Lq^j;  ^0  bc  cqualy  divided  between  Jn°  Sam" 


14  EARLY    WILLS. 

Tristram  &  Edmund  as  equally  as  they  can,  they  drawing  Letts  for 
y""  shares,  And  y"^  Rate  Lett  I  bought  of  Benj"  Gutridge,  I  give  to  my 
sone  Stephen,  I  doe  Apoint  also  my  sofie  Stephen  to  pay  unto  his 
sister  Mary  three  score  pounds  in  pay  &  ten  pounds  in  money  withia 
two  years  after  she  shall  bee  eighteen  years  of  age  or  Marriage. 

gthiy  I  giuQ  tQ  niy  sofie  Stephen  y^  Chafer,  To  Daughter  Dole  y* 
brass  pot  or  y"^  litlc  Iron  Kettle  w'^  she  will,  And  ye  little  silver 
Cup  in  my  Cupboard  and  one  Sheep ;  And  I  doe  hereby  ownc  that  I 
gave  him  y®  meadow  att  Salisbury  next  Major  Pikes  pasture,  that  he 
should  have  had  a  deed  of  gift  of.  I  give  to  my  daughf  Noyce  my 
great  platter,  &  y*^  silver  wine  Cup  to  her  daughter  Elizabeth,  I  give 
y*^  Coaker  Nutt  Cup  to  my  sofie  Stephen. 

'jthiy  I  gjyg  ^Q  jjjy  gQ^Q  Edmund  Greenleif  y"  Rest  of  my  estate, 
Housing,  Land,  &  meadow,  fence,  stocke  &  houshold  stuff  &  tooles, 
he  paying  to  his  sister  Mary  Swett  Eight  pounds  in  pay,  assoone  as 
she  shall  be  married. 

Lastly.  Li  Case  my  sone  Edmund  Greenleif  should  dye  w""  out 
Issue  Lawfully  begotten  of  his  owne  bodye  Then  all  w*^^  I  have  in 
this  my  will  given  to  him  I  give  unto  my  sofie  Stephen  Grceiileife 
viz :  Houses  Lands  &c  as  before  mentioned.  He  paying  to  y"  Rest  of 
his  brothers  &  sisters  y"  surviving  proportionable  y^  vallew  w"  itt 
may  bee  valued  att,  by  two  indifferent  men.  Reserving  to  himself  & 
Mary  w'^^  I  freely  give  three  parts  or  shares  of  y"  s*^  Edmunds 
Portion ; 

I  Appoint  my  sone  Edmund  Greenleife  to  be  my  Sole  Execute''  & 
Caleb  Moody  &  W"  Titcombe  to  see  this  my  will  performed  as  over- 
seers of  y**  same.  My  desire  is  y*  my  well  beloved  wife  shall  live 
w*^  my  sofie  Edmund,  butt  if  in  Case  my  wife  should  see  good  to 
Remove  &  live  other  where,  then  Edmund  shall  pay  to  his  Mother 
foure  pounds  a  yeare  or  else  she  to  have  y''  thirds  of  y*^  Land ;  And 
further  in  Case  my  sofie  Tristram  dye  w"'out  Issue  Lawfully  begottea 
of  his  owne  body,  then  y"  one  half  of  y*^  Vallew  of  y*^  land  given  him 
by  mee,  to  bee  to  his  widdowe  &  y**  other  half  to  be  divided  Equaly 
amongst  y®  Rest  of  y"  children  In  full  testimony  that  this  is  my  Last 
Will  &  testament  I  haue  hereunto  putt  my  hand  &  Scale  this  5"'  day 
of  august  1G90. 

Stephen  Grenlefe        Seal 

Wittnesse  hereunto 
This  was  published  to  bee  y"  last 
Will  &  testament  of  Capt  Stephen 
Greenleif  sen""  &  signed  &  sealed 
in  p''sence  of 

Bcnj''  Gerrish  in  p'sence  of  us 

Willm  Longl'ellow 

James  Marcli. 
Proved  25  November  1690. 


EAELT  WILLS.  15 


Henet  Jaques. 

In  the  name  of  God  and  by  his  Assistance  I  Henry  Jaques  of 
Newbury  do  humbly  comit  my  soule  body  &  spirit  both  in  life  and 
death  into  the  everlasting  arms  of  God  All  sufficient  my  Heavenly 
ffather  and  to  Jesus  Christ  my  alone  Saviour  &  Blessed  Redeemer 
through  y*^  Power  &  Presents  of  his  Eternall  Spirit  my  body  to  y^ 
earth  whence  its  origenall  was  taken  in  hope  of  an  Happy  &  Glori- 
ous Resurrection  in  y^  Great  day  of  the  man  Christ  Jesus  to  whome 
be  Glory  forever.     Amen. 

And  for  such  Good  things  of  this  world  as  it  hath  pleased  God  in 
this  my  Pilgrimage  to  comitt  to  my  Stuardship  I  (as  much  as  in  me 
is)  dispose  as  is  heerafter  expressed — 

Imp^  I  Give  to  An  my  dear  &  loving  wife  the  one  half  of  my  dwel- 
ling house  &  one  half  of  the  Great  Celler  &  one  third  part  of  my 
orchyard  w**'  ten  Rods  of  sutable  ground  for  a  Garden  to  be  kept 
sufficiently  fenced  as  also  fire  wood  sufficient  for  her  use  to  be  ready 
cutt  and  brought  to  the  dore  for  her  as  also  two  cows  out  of  my 
stock  at  her  choice  to  be  wintered  and  sumered  for  her,  together  w"* 
the  bed  in  the  parlor  with  all  the  ffurniture  belonging  to  the  same  all 
which  she  shall  be  seised  of  imediatly  after  my  decease  &  to  be 
performed  by  my  execuf  heerafter  named  together  w"'  a  liberty  of 
keeping  two  swine  as  also  she  shall  have  a  horse  &  man  provided  by 
my  s"^  executor  to  carry  her  to  Meeting  or  otherwise  as  she  shall 
have  occasion  all  which  my  s'^  wife  shall  injoy  during  her  widdow- 
hood,  as  also  six  pounds  p''  Anum  to  be  yearly  paid  by  my  execuf 
during  her  naturall  life  ;  As  also  one  half  of  all  my  houshold  goods 
to  be  for  her  use  during  her  naturall  life  &  then  to  be  disposed  of 
by  her  among  her  children  as  she  shall  se  cause.  But  if  she  shall  se 
cause  to  live  w"'  my  execuf  he  providing  all  things  necessary  for  her 
then  that  shall  be  in  leiv  of  y**  payments  afore  mentioned  all,  w^"*  is 
in  leiv  of  her  thirds. 

Item.  To  my  son  Daniell  Jaquis  I  Give  all  that  my  Land  in 
Bradford  &  Rowley  that  I  formerly  bought  of  Cap*  Walker  of  Brad- 
ford, both  upland  &  meadow  together  w'^  all  the  priveledges  & 
appurtenances  thereunto  be  belonging,  as  also  all  my  house  &  land 
in  Almsbury  w'=''  I  Bought  of  Richard  Currier  &  John  Girapson  w**^ 
all  y®  priviledges  belonging  thereunto  Also  all  my  Right  in  the  Saw 
mill  there  w*'^  all  y^  priviledges  therof.  Also  that  sixty  Acres  of 
land  be  it  more  or  less  w'^^  I  bought  of  Robert  Jones  of  Almsbury  & 
lying  in  Almsbury  w**^  all  y*^  priviledges  therof  also  all  that  peice  of 
salt  marish  in  plumb  Hand  lying  in  the  Hundred  acres,  being  five  or 
six  Acres  be  it  more  or  less,  Also  one  of  my  divisions  in  y'=  six 
thousand  Acres  in  the  upper  comons  in  Newbury  either  that  w'^'^ 
shall  fall  to  me  by  my  fifreehold  or  that  w*^''  will  fall  to  me  by  M"" 
Ricliardsons  Rate  of  Ano  1685  which  he  shall  choose,  but  if  the  said 
comons  be  not  divided  by  the  rule  that  is  now  proposed,  then  he 


IG  EARLY   WILLS. 

shall  have  tlie  one  half  of  what  shall  fall  to  me  by  my  freehold  or 
otherwise  in  any  other  division  that  shall  be  made  in  time  to  come 
in  the  s*^  Six  thousand  Acres  all  w"^*"  I  give  to  him  my  son  Daniell 
Jaquis  and  to  his  heyrs  &  Assignes  forever. 

Item.  To  my  Daughter  Mary  the  wife  of  Richard  Browne  I  Give 
twenty  pounds  to  be  paid  by  my  executor  out  of  my  stock  within  one 
year  after  my  decease;  Besids  what  I  formerly  gave  her. 

Item.  To  my  Daughter  Haiiah  the  wife  of  Ephraim  Plumcr  having 
formerly  given  her,  her  portion  I  do  now  give  her  forty  Shillings 
more  to  be  paid  by  my  Executor. 

Item.  To  my  Daugiiter  Sarah  the  wife  of  John  Hale  I  give  five- 
teene  povnds  besids  what  I  have  formerly  Given  her  to  be  paid  by 
my  executor. 

Item.  To  my  daughter  Elisabeth  I  give  fifty  povnds  to  be  paid  by 
my  executor  within  two  years  after  her  Mariage  or  when  she  shall 
attaine  unto  the  age  of  twenty  one  years  but  if  she  should  dye  before 
the  said  portion  is  payable  leaving  no  child  that  then  the  said  por- 
tion shall  be  equally  divided  aiuong  her  surviuing  brothers  &  sisters. 

Item.  To  my  Daughter  Ruth  I  give  flfifty  Pounds  to  be  paid  by 
my  executor  w"'  in  two  years  aftar  her  Marriage  or  when  she  shall 
attaine  unto  the  Age  of  Twenty  one  years  but  if  she  should  dye 
before  her  said  Portion  is  dew  leaving  no  child  that  than  her  s^ 
Portion  shall  be  equally  apportioned  among  her  surviving  Brothers 
&  sisters. 

Item.  To  my  daughter  Ablgaell  I  give  fifty  pounds  to  be  paid  by 
my  executor  within  two  years  after  her  Mariage  or  when  she  shall 
attaine  unto  the  age  of  Twenty  years  but  if  she  should  dye  before 
her  s^  Portion  be  dew  that  then  it  shall  be  equally  divided  among 
her  surviuing  brothers  &  sisters  Provided  she  leave  no  child 

Item.  i\Iy  Will  is  that  for  my  Grand-son  Henry  the  son  of  my 
Son  Henry  Jaquis  (deceased)  that  he  shall  at  the  charge  of  my 
executor  be  maintained  &  kept  at  schoole  untill  he  can  read  and 
write  well  and  cast  account  sufficiently  for  comon  uses  &  then  to 
be  bound  Apprentice  to  Som  Trade  And  when  he  shall  attaine 
vnto  the  age  of  twenty  one  years  he  shall  be  paid  by  my  executor 
the  sum  of  fiveteen  pounds  but  if  my  s*^  Grand-son  shall  dye  before 
y"^  s**  Legacy  be  payable  then  it  shall  be  equally  divided  among  my 
surviving  children. 

Item.  And  ffor  my  estate  Lying  in  Woodbridg  Towne  in  the 
Province  of  East-Newjersy  my  will  is  that  it  shall  be  divided  Among 
the  three  sons  of  my  Son  Henry  Jaquis  Late  of  Woodbridg  towne 
(deceased)  to  his  Eldest  son  a  duble  share. 

Item.  To  my  Grand-son  Richard  y*^  son  of  my  son  Richard  Jaquis 
(deceased)  I  give  the  sum  of  fifty  povnds  to  be  paid  by  my  executor 
when  he  shall  attaine  unto  the  age  of  twenty  one  years  but  if  he  y® 
s*^  Richard  should  dye  before  y'=  s^  Legacy  be  payable  that  then  y® 
s^  legasy  shall  be  equally  divided  among  my  surviving  children. 


EARLr   WILLS.  17 

Farther.  I  do  heerby  make  and  appoint  my  Son  Stephen  Jaquis 
to  be  my  trve  and  lawfull  Heyre  and  do  accordingly  give  &  bequeth 
unto  him  all  my  housing  &  Lands  &  fifreehold  w'*"  all  my  Goods  & 
chattells  together  w**^  all  those  debts  that  now  are  or  heerafter  may 
appeere  to  be  dew  unto  me  by  bill  Bond  or  otherwise  together  with 
all  those  libertyes  &  priviledges  that  I  have  or  heerafter  may  appeer 
to  be  my  right  (excepting  alwayes  such  gifts  &  Legacies  which  are 
in  this  my  last  will  &  Testament  contained)  all  other  my  housing  & 
land  both  upland  &  meadow  I  do  give  to  him  my  s**  Son  Stephen 
Jaquis  as  is  above  expressed  to  him  &  his  heyres  forever  But  if  my 
s*^  Son  Stephen  shall  dye  leaving  no  Heyr  of  his  body  Lawfully  be- 
gotten that  then  my  said  housing  &  lands  shall  be  and  remaine  to 
my  son  Daniell  Jaquis  to  him  &  his  heyrs  forever.  And  if  my  son 
Daniell  should  dye  leaving  no  Heyr  Male  of  his  body  Lawfully  be- 
gotten then  my  said  housing  and  lands  shall  be  and  remaine  to  my 
Grand-Son  Richard  Jaquis  aforenamed  to  him  &  his  heyrs  forever 
and  if  he  should  dye  Leaving  no  heyre  of  his  body  lawfully  begotten, 
then  my  sd  housing  &  Lands  to  be  &  Remaine  unto  y*"  Heyre  Male 
of  my  family  fiforever. 

Item,  My  Will  is  that  wheras  Jasper  my  Indian  hath  been  a 
good  Servant  to  me  my  will  is  that  he  shall  serve  my  executor  well 
&  faithfully  Six  years  after  my  decease  &  y*  then  he  shall  have  his 
freedom  being  by  my  executor  set  at  liberty  &  I  do  heerby  will  & 
appoint  him  to  do  it. 

Farther  I  do  Appoint  my  son  Stephen  Jaquis  to  be  the  executor 
of  this  my  last  Will  &  Testament  my  Lawfull  debts  &  funerall 
charges  to  be  by  him  paid  &  discharged. 

Lastly  I  do  desire  &  appoint  my  christian  freinds  Cap*  Thomas 
Noyes  &  M''  Moses  Gerrish  to  be  overseers  of  the  dew  performance 
of  this  my  last  will  &  Testament  heerby  Willing  &  requiring  my 
executor  to  satisfy  for  what  time  &  paines  they  shall  spend  therin. 

In  Wittuess  of  all  &  singuler  y*^  premesis  as  my  last  Will  &  Testa- 
ment I  have  heerunto  set  my  hand  &  Scale  this  thirtieth  of  October 
one  thousand  six  hundred  eighty  &  six 

memorandum  before  the  sealing  &  wittnessing  hereof  I  declare  my 
will  is  y*  wheras  I  have  given  my  wife  in  this  my  last  will  six  pounds 
p''  Aiium  during  her  naturall  life  my  will  is  that  it  should  be  paid 
to  her  by  my  executer  in  three  bush :  of  wheat  &  y*^  rest  of  it  one 
half  in  english  graine  &  y®  other  half  in  Indian  corne. 

Henry  Jaques     Seal 
Signed  Sealed  and  declared 

in  y*^  presens  of  us 
Isack  Ilsley 
Anthony  Mors 
Henry  Short. 

Proved  8  March  1687. 


18  early  wills. 

Richard  Dole. 

In  the  name  of  God  &  by  his  Assistance  I  Richard  Dole  sen""  of 
Newbury  in  the  County  of  Essex  in  the  province  of  the  Massacliusetts 
Bay  in  New  Eiisjland  Do  Humbly  couiitt  my  Soulc  Body  and  Spirit 
both  in  life  and  Death  into  the  everlastinjr  Arms  of  God  all  sufficient 
my  Heavenly  flfather  and  unto  Jesus  christ  my  alone  Saviour  and 
Blessed  Redeemer  thru'  tlie  Power  and  presents  of  his  eternall  Spirit, 
my  Body  to  the  Earth  whence  its  origenall  was  Taken,  in  Hope  of  a 
Happy  and  Glorious  Resurection  in  Great  Day  of  the  man  Christ 
Jesus  to  him  be  Glory  both  now  &  ever  Amen. 

And  for  such  Good  tilings  of  this  world  as  God  iiath  been  pleased 
in  this  my  Pilgrimage  to  Comitt  to  my  Stuardship,  I  as  much  as  in 
me  is  do  dispose  as  is  heerafter  expressed. 

Imp  I  Give  to  Patience  my  Deare  &  loving  wife  (besides  what 
I  Promised  her  uppon  our  Mariage  by  a  writing  under  my  hand  & 
seale  bearing  Date  Octob"^  29th  1690  acknowledged  by  me  before 
the  Worshipf"  Nathani"  Saltingstall  Esq')  I  Do  now  give  her  the 
use  of  the  I3ed  &  Bedding  together  w"'  all  other  the  furniture  that  I 
shall  leave  in  my  Parlour  during  the  time  that  she  remaines  my 
Widow,  As  also  eight  cord  of  wood  p""  Anum  to  be  brought  &  laid 
convenient  to  the  house  by  the  charg  of  my  execufs  heerafter  named 
during  the  Time  afore  sd,  Also  I  give  her  my  now  Riding  Horse,  and 
my  Bridle,  sadle  and  Pilion,  and  also  two  Cows  at  her  owne  choyce 
&  also  two  shoates  which  I  giue  to  my  said  wife  flfreely  foreuer,  the 
said  Cows  &  horse  to  be  wintered  and  sumered  by  the  charts  of  my 
execufs  during  my  wives  remaining  my  widow  but  if  the  Horse  or 
Cows  should  faile  thru  age  from  being  servisable  my  wife  shall  be 
supplyed  by  my  Execufs  w^''  such  which  shall  be  good  &  servisable 
at  my  execufs  charge.  Also  I  give  my  sd  wife  two  Rods  square  of 
Ground  neer  my  now  dwelling  house  for  a  Garden  where  shee  shall 
choose  to  be  fencd  well  and  so  to  be  maintained  at  the  charg  of  my 
execut",  and  so  to  remaine  unto  her  during  her  being  my  Widow, 
flfarther  I  glue  to  my  said  wife  six  Bushills  of  good  winter  Apples 
yearly  and  a  Hogshead  to  Putt  them  into,  and  one  Barrell  of  Sider 
yearly,  also  I  give  her  the  use  of  all  the  Glasses  and  Galle-potts  in 
my  cubbord,  Also  a  good  peice  of  land  sufficient  to  sow  half  a  Peck 
of  flax-seed  yearly  out  of  my  owne  land  at  her  owne  choyce  all  which 
shee  shall  enjoy  during  her  being  my  widow,  Also  I  give  to  her  my 
said  wife  ffreely  for  Euer  twenty  pounds  of  Good  cotten  wooll  & 
twenty  pounds  of  Good  fflax  teer  &  thirty  pounds  of  Good  sheeps 
wooll,  Also  the  liiien  wheele  that  she  useth  to  spin  on,  also  one  good 
Cotton  wheele  &  a  peir  of  good  Cards,  also  one  p""  of  sheets  &  one 
Blanket  also  a  fyre  pan  &  warming  Pan,  Also  twenty  Bushills  of 
Good  indian  Corne,  and  four  Bushills  of  Rye  and  two  Bushills  of 
wheat  &  half  a  Barrell  of  my  Pork  &  half  a  Barrell  of  Beife  and 
twenty  shillings  in  Mony,  and  four  Bushills  of  Malt  and  a  good  Sack, 


EARLY  WILLS.  19 

also  my  Trunk  also  two  Ews  and  two  Lambs,  all  which  to  be  de- 
livered to  her  by  my  executors  Imediatly  after  my  Death  together 
with  one  fifth  part  of  all  my  household  goods,  Also  I  give  to  my  said 
wife  the  use  of  my  Still  during  her  widdowhood  as  also  the  use  of 
that  Roome  usualy  called  the  shopp  during  her  remaining  my  widow 
shee  being  at  the  charg  to  make  away  into  the  same. 

l?e  To  the  Heyrs  of  my  son  John  Dole  late  of  Newbury  deceased 
besides  what  I  have  formerly  Given  him  by  Deed  of  gift,  I  Do  now 
give  him  al  the  rest  of  the  Housing  &  lands,  wharffs  and  ware  house 
wher  they  now  dwell  belonging  to  me  that  were  not  mentioned  in 
said  Deed  of  Gift,  together  w'"^  the  other  half  of  the  pasture  neer 
Peter  Godfrys  land  w"^  the  other  half  of  the  meadow  at  Salisbury 
bought  by  me  of  Mr  Sanders :  and  the  other  half  of  Rings  Hand 
the  one  half  of  which  parcells  of  land  housing  &  wharfs  I  formerly 
gave  him  as  in  my  Deed  to  him  more  at  larg  may  appeer,  also  I  give 
to  them  Sixteen  acres  of  land  lying  uppon  an  Iland  against  Haver- 
hill in  Merrimack  River  be  it  more  or  less  Purchased  of  Robert 
Clement  &  others  also  five  comonages  in  Haverhill  Purchased  of 
Joseph  Davis,  also  my  Rights  in  tlie  Playnes  of  Haverhill  Purchased 
of  Robert  Clement,  Also  my  Great  Bible,  Also  my  ffouling  Peice  and 
musquet  that  are  now  in  theyr  hands,  also  my  negro  Boy  named  Tom, 
and  this  shall  be  the  Ballance  of  all  accounts  that  ever  hath  been 
between  my  said  son  John  Dole  &  myself  Farther  my  will  is  that 
my  Daughter  in  law  the  widow  of  my  said  son  John  Dole  viz  m''s 
Mary  Dole  shall  haue  the  possession  &  improvement  of  all  the  aboue 
mentioned  Housing  and  lands  &  the  rest  During  her  remaining  my 
said  sons  widow. 

l?e.     To  my  son  Richard  Dole  besides  what  I  have  formerly  given 
him  by  Deed  of  Gift  I  giue  him  eight  acres  of  meadow  or  marsh  be 
it  more  or  less  which  was  formerly  Granted  by  the  Towne  of  New- 
bury to  Henry  Rolfe  and  by  me  purchassed  of  John  Rolfe  which  said 
Marsh  Joyneth  to  the  ends  of  the  four  acre  lotts  and  is  Bounded 
westerly  By  a  great  creeke     Also  I  give  him  one  eighth  part  of  my 
upland  &  meadow  or  marsh  on  plumb  Iland  lying  in  Newbury  & 
Rowley  Bounds,  he  renouncing  that  parcell  of  upland  &  meadow  in 
plumb  Iland  mentioned  in  his  Deed  of  gift,  ffarther  I  give  him  Pastur- 
ring  for  three  cows  and  one  horse  in  my  pasture  as  now  it  is  to  him 
&  his  heyrs  for  ever     He  and  his  bearing  a  proportionable  share  in 
fencing  and  Trenching  the  said  Pasture  as  there  shall  be  need.  Also 
I  give  to  him  what  is  Due  from  him  to  me  uppon  my  Booke  being 
about  sixty  or  seaventy  pounds.     Also  I  giue  him  one  half  of  my  Bark 
house  &  mill  and  of  all  my  other  Implements  of  Tailing,  Also  one 
half  of  my  Tan  house  and  Tan-yard  and  Pitts  w"'  eighty  Rods  of 
land,  on  the  northerly  side  of  the  works  to  be  laid  out  from  the 
Green  to  the  Gutter  so  as  may  be  most  convenient  for  a  Tailing 
designe     The  one  half  of  the  said  land  that  the  Bark  house  pitts  and 
Tan  house  stands  on  to  be  part  of  the  eighty  Rods,  with  this  Pro- 


20 


EARLY    WILLS. 


viso  that  ncitlier  lie  nor  his  shall  haue  liberty  to  sett  up  a  dwelling 
house  on  the  said  eighty  Rods  or  any  part  therof  nor  shall  any 
person  Dwell  theriippon,  But  it  shall  be  in  his  Liberty  to  haue  his 
diuision  made  &  the  eighty  Rod  to  be  laid  out  when  he  or  his  heyrs 
pleses  alwayes  Reserving  that  peice  of  land  knowne  by  the  name  of 
the  Grass  platt  to  my  Son  William  Dole  &  his  heyrs  for  ever  &  for 
my  wife  during  her  widowhood  to  n)ake  use  of.  Also  I  give  to  my 
said  son  Richard  Dole  one  half  of  the  hides  and  leather  that  belongs 
to  me  in  the  Pitts  or  else  where,  Also  I  give  him  one  third  part  of 
my  woodland  in  Dea-^  Noys  his  neck  all  this  I  giue  to  my  said  son 
to  him  &  his  heyrs  flforever  w*''  this  Proviso  that  neither  he  nor  his 
heyrs  demand  nothing  of  me  nor  my  execufs  for  any  work  or  Labour 
done  by  him  formerly  about  Taning,  also  I  giue  to  him  my  said  son 
one  iBfth  part  of  all  my  houshold  Goods,  also  one  quarter  of  my  hay 
Boate  also  one  third  part  of  my  vtinsills  of  Husbandry  &  of  my 
Tooles. 

Ite.  I  Giue  to  my  son  William  Dole  &  his  heyrs  forever  my 
Dwelling  house  that  I  now  dwell  in  together  w">  my  Barnes  &  other 
my  out  housing  w"^  the  lands  that  they  now  stand  on  w^''  the  land 
next  adjacent  both  upland  &  meadow  to  the  heads  of  the  Letts  w*^ 
my  orchards  theron  &  so  to  the  River  and  the  other  end  or  side  is 
Bounded  by  an  easterly  line  from  Blumfeilds  old  house  to  the  Heads 
of  the  Letts,  by  a  west  line  to  the  Greene  together  with  fine  Letts 
four  acres  a  Peice  be  they  more  or  less  viz  Spencers  Lott,  flfrancklings 
Lett,  Nathani"  Badgers  Lott  &  two  Letts  knowne  by  tlie  name  of 
Moodeys  Letts  together  w**^  all  the  Rye  field  &  land  adjoyning  to- 
gether w^''  the  Salt  Marsh  called  the  pasture  excepting  only  the 
eighteen  acres  at  the  lower  end  next  to  Eastons  creek,  Also  I 
giue  him  all  the  lands  lying  between  the  Letts  &  the  Riuer  Also 
I  giue  him  one  third  part  of  the  Hands  of  fflatt  belonging  to 
me  in  the  Great  Riuer,  Also  one  quarter  part  of  my  upland  and 
marsh  in  plumb  Hand  lying  p"y  in  Newbury  and  p">'  in  Rowley 
Bounds,  Also  my  Rate  Lott  lying  on  Bradford  line,  Also  one  half  of 
my  Marsh  knowne  by  the  name  of  Jerecho  Marsh  Also  my  negro 
Boy  named  Mingo,  Also  I  giue  him  all  the  diuision  or  diuisions  of 
land  that  shall  be  laid  out  in  the  comons  of  Newbury  to  M"^  Edmund 
Greenlefs  freehold  which  was  by  me  formerly  purchassed,  Also  I  giue 
him  one  third  pt  of  all  my  Implements  &  utinsills  of  Husbandry  & 
Tooles,  also  I  giue  him  one  tliird  part  of  my  wood  land  next  Henry 
Shorts  pasture,  and  one  third  part  of  my  ten  acres  of  woodland  in 
Deac  noyes  his  neck  also  one  half  of  my  llaye  Boate,  also  one  quarter 
part  of  the  hides  &  leather  that  Do  belong  to  me  in  the  Pitts  or  elce 
whear  also  one  fether  Bedd,  also  one  fifth  part  of  all  my  household 
Goods  all  which  I  Do  giue  to  my  son  william  Dole,  excepting  what 
is  before  mentioned  in  this  my  last  Will  &  Testament  and  otherwise 
disposed  of  ffarther  I  giue  to  him  my  said  son  one  half  of  that  peice 
of  Marsh  knowne  by  the  name  of  the  flfour  acres  all  which  I  giue  to 


EARLY   WILLS.  21 

my  said  son  William  Dole  (Reserving  eight  Rods  of  Ground  out  of 
the  land  to  him  mentioned,  for  my  son  Abner  Dole  as  is  heerafter 
giuen  him) 

5J  lines  cancelled  as  recorded  post 

IL  To  my  son  Abner  Dole  I  giue  the  new  house  in  which  he  now 
dwells  together  w"'  three  four  acre  Lotts  therunto  adjoyning  viz 
Randols  Lott  and  two  Lotts  which  I  Bought  of  Lieu*  Pike  Also 
twelue  acres  of  Salt  Marsh  adjoyning  to  the  six  acres  which  I  gaue 
my  son  Richard  Dole  which  is  at  the  Lower  end  of  the  Pasture  next 
Estons  creek  Also  the  third  part  of  the  Hands  of  fflatts  belonging  to 
me  in  the  Great  River  Also  the  half  of  my  Marsh  in  Quantity  & 
Quality  called  Jericho  Marsh  Also  the  fourth  part  of  upland  &  marsh 
which  I  haue  in  Plumb  Hand  partly  in  Newbury  &  partly  in  Rowley 
Bounds,  Alwayes  reserving  at  the  upper  ends  of  the  Lotts  aboue 
given  a  way  of  three  Rods  broad  for  his  Brother  William  &  his  heyrs 
to  pass  and  repass  to  and  from  his  lands.  Also  I  giue  my  said  son 
one  third  part  of  my  woodland  next  unto  Henry  Shorts  pasture, 
Also  my  ffreehold  purchase  of  Thomas  Blumfield  w"^  the  priviledges 
therunto  belonging  or  that  may  arise  therby  also  one  third  part  of 
my  woodland  lying  in  Deac  Noyes  his  Neck,  Also  three  acres  &  a 
half  of  land  comonly  called  Shorts  Lott,  Also  one  fifth  part  of  all 
my  household  Goods,  Also  two  oxen,  two  Cows,  and  ten  sheep  &  ten 
lambs,  Also  Liberty  to  keep  in  my  Pasture  as  my  pasture  now  is  three 
Cows  &  one  horse  perpetualy  to  him  &  his  heyrs  for  euer,  Provided 
he  doth  not  fence  perticulerly  that  land  that  he  hath  in  the  pasture, 
and  also  that  he  make  his  proportion  of  fence  to  the  pasture  &  do 
his  part  at  trenching  as  need  may  be  Also  I  giue  him  one  Quarter 
part  of  all  the  Hides  &  leather  that  Do  belong  to  me  in  the  Pitts  or 
elce  where.  Farther  I  giue  him  one  half  of  the  Marsh  knowne  by  the 
name  of  the  four  acres.  Also  I  giue  him  the  fouling  Peice  that  he 
useth  &  a  Musket,  flfarther  I  giue  him  all  the  Debts  that  he  hath  or 
shall  make  by  shoe  making  except  what  he  hath  Done  for  his  owne 
Brothers  which  shall  not  be  by  him  demanded  of  them,  Also  I  giue 
him  eight  Rods  of  Ground  which  I  haue  Reserved  out  of  Williams 
part  where  Henry  Dole  was  wont  to  plant  Cabedges  all  which  I  giue 
to  my  said  son  Abner  Dole  to  him  &  his  heyrs  for  euer,  Also  I  giue 
to  my  said  son  one  quarter  part  of  my  Hay  Boate  and  one  third  part 
of  my  Tooles  &  utinsills  of  Husbandry. 

To  my  Daughter  Hanah  Moodey  the  wife  of  John  Moodey  besids 
what  I  formerly  gaue  her  I  giue  one  eighth  part  of  all  my  Land  both 
upland  and  Marsh  in  plumb  Hand  lying  Partly  in  Newbury  and 
partly  in  Rowley  bounds,  also  my  ffreehold  which  I  Bought  of  Capt 
Nelson  &  Benjamin  Lowle  w**^  all  the  Priviledges  that  shall  or  may 
arise  therby  all  which  I  giue  to  her  and  her  Heyrs  for  Euer,  ffarther 
I  giue  her  one  fifth  part  of  all  my  household  goods  also  one  halfe  of 
all  my  plate  also  my  negro  maid  named  Lucy  and  this  shall  be  in 
3 


22  EARLY   WILLS. 

ffull  of  her  portion  having  refference  to  the  agreement  made  w**" 
John  Moodcy  before  theyr  Marriage. 

Ite.  To  uiy  Daughf  Apphia  Coffin  the  wife  of  Peter  Coffin  be- 
sids  what  I  haue  formerly  giiien  her  I  now  glue  her  one  half  of  all 
my  plate  and  seven  pounds  in  good  payment  to  be  paid  by  ray  execufs 
heerafter  named  which  is  in  full  of  her  portion. 

I  do  farther  giue  to  my  two  Daughfs  aboue  named  viz  Haiiah 
Moodcy  and  Apphia  Coffin  five  sheets  viz  1  p'  of  Brins  and  three 
linen  sheets  also  nine  diaper  napkins  and  six  I3rin3  napkins  &  nine 
linen  napkins  &  two  p"'  of  pillow  cases  1  p""  of  Brins  &  the  other  p*" 
of  Hollands  also  four  Towells  &  three  Table  cloaths  one  of  Diaper 
one  of  Calecho  &  one  of  Brins  to  be  equally  diuided  between  them 
both. 

II.  I  giue  to  my  daughf  in  Law  Sarah  Walker  fine  pounds  as 
mony  in  a  good  fether  bed 

Farther  my  Will  is  that  wheras  I  haue  provided  in  this  my  last 
Will  and  Testament  that  my  son  Abner  Dole  shall  not  demand  any 
thing  of  his  owne  Brothers  for  shoes  made  by  him  for  them  in  my 
life  time  so  my  will  is  that  his  Brothers  shall  not  demand  any  thing 
of  him  for  leather  that  he  hath  or  may  receive  of  them  or  me  in  my 
life  time. 

Farther  my  will  is  that  for  my  negro  servant  Grace  that  at  my 
death  she  shall  haue  her  freedom  if  she  will  accept  of  it  And  for  my 
negro  servant  named  Bctte  my  Will  is  that  shee  shall  serve  faithfully 
and  truly  w*''  my  son  Abner  Dole  two  years  after  my  decease  &  then 
she  shall  be  flfree. 

All  the  rest  of  my  estate  both  Real  and  personall  not  disposed  of 
in  this  my  last  Will  &  Testament  whither  Debts  dew  to  me  by  Bill 
bond  Booke  or  otherwise,  or  any  other  estate  that  may  appeer  to  be 
mine  or  due  to  me  in  Time  to  come  My  Will  is  that  after  my  Debts 
and  funerall  be  discharged  that  the  same  and  every  part  ther  of  be 
equaly  diuided  among  my  three  sons  Richard  Dole  William  Dole  & 
Abner  Dole 

Farther  I  appoynt  my  three  sons  before  named  viz  Richard  Dole 
William  Dole  and  Abner  Dole  to  be  the  execufs  of  this  my  last  will 
and  Testament  heerby  revoaking  all  former  Wills  of  mine. 

Also  I  appoynt  my  christian  ifreinds  Coll  Daniel  Peirce  Esq' 
Tristram  Coffin  Esq''  and  my  Brother  Benjamin  Rolfe  to  be  the  over- 
seers that  this  my  last  will  &  Testament  be  performed 

Also  my  will  is  that  if  it  should  pleas  God  that  I  should  Dye  be- 
tween seed  time  and  Harvest  that  tiien  my  whole  crop  of  corn  both 
English  and  Indian  be  equaly  divided  among  my  execut"  they  pay- 
ing the  Rates  for  the  upland  and  housing  for  that  year. 

And  for  the  provision  that  shall  be  left  by  me  in  the  house  shall 
be  equaly  divided  between  Patience  my  Deer  &  loving  wife  and  my 
two  sons  William  &  Abner  Dole. 

And  farther  for  the  Annual  payment  that  I  am  obliged  to  pay  unto 


EARLY  WILLS.  23 

Patience  my  dear  and  loving  wife  by  obligation  before  our  Mariage 
my  will  is  that  it  shall  be  paid  by  ray  execut"  Anualy  some  time  in 
the  moneth  of  October 

In  Wittness  to  all  and  singuler  the  premises  I  the  said  Richard 
Dole  sen""  as  my  last  will  &  Testament  haue  heer  unto  set  my  hand 
&  seale  this  twenty  fifth  day  of  March  Aiio  Domi  one  thousand  six 
hundred  ninty  &  eight  and  in  the  tenth  year  of  the  Reigne  of  our 
Sovereign  Lord  William  the  third  by  the  Grace  of  God  of  England 
Scotland  flfrance  &  Ireland  King  defend""  of  the  fifaith  &  'ca 

Richard  Dole    Seal 
Signed  Sealed  and 
declared  by  m"^  Richard 
Dole  sen""  to  be  his  last 
Will  &  Testam*  in  presens  of 
us 

Jn"  Webster  juni 

Jona  Than  grele 

Henry  Short 

memorandum  that  y®  fiue  last  lines  of  y*  parragraflf  belonging  to 
William  Dole  in  this  will  were  cancelled  by  the  desire  &  order  of 
the  Testator  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  September  Ano  Domi  1699  in 
presens  of  us  wittnesses  and  the  words  (&  his  hejrs  foreuer  entered 
in  the  first  line  of  sd  paragraf 

Nehemiah  Jewet 

Tristram  Coffin 

Henry  Short. 

Proved  30  July  1705. 


William  Brackenbury. 

The  24*''  of  July  Anno  1668.  I  William  Brakenbury  being  weak 
in  body  but  sound  of  mind  &  of  good  remembrance  praysed  be  God, 
And  being  mindfuU  of  my  disolucon  doe  make  this  my  Last  will  & 
testament  in  manner  following,  first  I  give  my  soul  to  God  that  gave  it 
in  &  through  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  my  deare  redeemer,  And  my  body 
to  the  earth  after  my  decease  to  be  decently  interred  therein :  And 
for  my  Temporall  Estate  which  God  hath  given  mee  vpon  serious 
consideracons  And  different  from  my  former  Wills  I  doe  dispose  as 
followeth :  After  my  funerall  charges  &  just  debts  paid,  Imprimis 
I  give  vnto  my  Grandsonne  Isaack  Foster  Ten  pounds  to  buy  him 
books. 

Item  I  give  unto  my  Grandsonne  John  Ridgeway  five  pounds  & 
a  calfe. 

Item  I  give  vnto  my  grandchild  Alice  Ridgeway  five  pounds  And 
a  this  yeares  calfe  &  a  ewe  lamb. 


24  EARLY    WILLS. 

Item  I  give  vnto  all  the  rest  of  my  Grandchildren  fiffty  shillings 
apcice  all  whicli  Legacys  my  will  is  that  they  shall  be  paid  within 
halfo  a  ycare  after  my  decease. 

Item  I  give  vnto  Alice  my  wife  one  third  part  of  all  my  Lands 
And  Goods  for  her  comfortable  support  during  her  naturall  life. 

Item  I  give  vnto  my  sonne  Samuell  And  to  my  daughter  Anne 
Foster  and  her  children  And  to  my  daughter  Mary  Ridgeway  And 
her  children  the  other  two  parts  of  all  my  Lands  And  goods,  to  be 
equally  divided  between  them  in  thre  equall  parts :  And  if  they 
cannot  Agre  among  themselves  as  to  the  devession  my  will  is  that 
my  overseers  hereafter  menconed  shall  devide  the  sayd  two  parts  of 
my  Sayd  Estate  into  thre  equall  parts  And  that  my  sonne  Samuell 
shall  choose  first  which  part  he  will  haue :  And  my  daughter  Anne 
Foster  shall  haue  the  second  choyce  and  my  daughter  Mary  Ridge- 
way the  third. 

Item  After  my  sd  wifes  deceas  my  will  is  that  her  third  part  of  all 
my  lands  &  goods,  or  what  remaines  thereof,  be  equally  divided 
between  my  sonne  Samuell  my  daughter  Anne  Foster  And  my 
daugliter  Mary  Ridgeway  as  afforsd. 

Item  I  give  vnto  my  sonne  in  law  William  Foster  And  to  my  sonne 
in  law  John  Ridgeway  fiffty  shillings  apeice. 

Item  I  give  to  m''  Michall  Wigglesworth  And  to  m"^  Benja  Bunker 
And  to  my  couzen  Richard  Brakenbury  Ten  shillings  apeice. 

And  for  the  pformance  of  this  my  sd  will  I  ordeyne  &  constitute 
my  sonne  Samuell  my  Executor:  And  John  Sprague  Peeter  Tufts 
&  Jolin  Wayte  my  ouerseers  to  whomc  I  give  five  shillings  apcice. 
my  true  meaning  is  that  my  sonne  Samuell  my  daughter  Ann  Foster 
&  my  daughter  Mary  Ridgeway  shall  haue  the  produce  of  the  two 
third  parts  of  all  my  estate  during  my  wifes  life,  And  after  my  sd 
wifes  deceas  my  whole  estate  shall  then  be  equally  divided  between 
my  sonne  Samuell  my  daughter  Anne  Foster  And  my  daughter  Mary 
Ridgeway  as  afforsd,  to  be  &  rcmayne  for  ever  to  my  sd  sonne 
Samuell,  &  to  my  daughter  Anne  Foster  &  her  children  &,  to  my 
daughter  Mary  Ridgeway  &  her  children.  In  wittnes  wherof  I  haue 
hereto  sett  my  hand  the  day  &  year  abovesd. 

In  psence  of  us  William  Brakexbury. 

John  Reyner  jun"" 

Joseph  Illes. 

Proved  21  September  1668. 


John  Winslow. 

In  the  name  of  God  Amen  the  twelvetli  day  of  March  in  the  yeare 
of  our  Lord  according  to  the  Coraputacon  of  the  Church  of  England 
one  thousand  six  hundred  seaventy  and  three  AnnoqRegni  Regis  Car: 
Secundi  Angliae  &c  xxvj.     I  John  Winslow  seu""  of  Boston  in  the 


EARLY   WILLS.  25 

Countie  of  SufFolke  in  New  England  Merchant  being  weake  of  Body- 
but  of  sound  and  perfect  memory  praysed  be  Almigl)ty  God  for  the 
same  Knowing  the  uncertainety  of  this  p^'esent  life  and  being  desirous 
to  settle  that  outward  Estate  that  the  lord  hath  lent  me  I  doe  make 
this  my  last  Will  and  testament  in  manner  and  forme  following  (that  is 
to  say)  flfirst  and  principally  I  comend  ray  soule  to  almighty  God  my 
Creator  hopeing  to  receive  full  pardon  and  remission  of  all  my  sins 
and  saluation  through  the  merritts  of  Jesus  Christ  my  Redeemer :  And 
my  body  to  the  Earth  to  be  decently  buryed  with  such  charges  as  to  the 
ouerseers  of  this  my  last  Will  and  Testament  hereafter  named  shall  be 
thought  meet  and  convenient  And  as  touching  such  worldly  Estate  as 
the  lord  hath  Lent  me  my  Will  and  meaneing  is  the  same  shall  be 
imployed  and  bestowed  as  hereafter  in  and  by  this  my  Will  is  Ex- 
prest. 

Inprimis  I  Doe  revoake  renounce  and  make  voide  all  Wills  by  me 
formerly  made  and  declaire  &  appoint  this  my  last  Will  and  Testa- 
ment. 

Item.  I  Will  that  all  the  Debts  that  I  justly  owe  at  the  time 
of  my  decease  to  any  person  or  persons  whatsoever  shall  be  well  and 
truely  contented  and  paid  in  convenient  time  after  my  decease  by  my 
Executo''  or  overseers  hereafter  named.  Item  I  giue  and  bequeath 
unto  my  Deare  and  well  beloved  wife  Mary  Winslow  the  use  of  my 
now  dwelling  house  with  the  gardens  and  yards  thereunto  belonging  for 
and  during  the  tearme  of  her  naturall  life.  Item  I  give  and  bequeath 
unto  my  said  wife  the  use  of  all  my  household  goods  for  her  to  dispose 
of  as  she  shall  thinke  meet.  Item  I  give  unto  my  said  wife  the  sume 
of  ifoure  hundred  pounds  in  lawfull  mony  of  New  England  to  be 
paid  unto  her  by  my  Executo"^  or  overseers  hereafter  named  in  con- 
venient time  after  my  decease.  Item  after  the  death  of  my  said  wife 
Igiyeand  bequeath  my  said  dwellinghouse  with  all  the  Land  belonging 
to  the  same  unto  my  sone  John  Winslow  and  to  his  heires  for  ever  he 
or  they  paying  when  they  come  to  possesse  &  enjoy  the  same  the 
sume  of  fififty  pounds  of  Lawfull  mony  of  New  England  unto  William 
Payne  the  sone  of  my  Daughter  Sarah  Meddlecott  And  also  to  Parnell 
Winslow  Daughter  to  my  son  Isaack  Winslow  the  full  sume  of  fBfty 
pounds  of  like  Lawfull  mony  :  And  my  Will  is  that  both  the  said  sums 
be  paid  into  the  hands  of  my  overseers  to  be  improved  for  them 
untill  they  come  to  age  or  the  day  of  Marriage  with  the  full  profitt 
that  they  make  of  the  same  And  in  case  either  of  the  said  Children  dye 
before  they  come  of  age  or  to  marriage  as  aflforesaid  :  My  will  is  that 
the  survivo""  of  them  shall  then  enjoy  both  the  said  sums :  But  in  case 
both  of  them  should  dye  before  they  come  to  age:  My  Will  is  that 
then  the  said  suiiis  shall  be  Equally  divided  amongst  the  Daughto''s  of 
my  Daughtor  Latham  to  be  paid  unto  them  as  they  come  to  age  or 
marriage  as  aiforesaid.  Item  my  Will  is  that  my  Katch  Speedwell 
(whereof  I  am  the  sole  owner)  and  the  produce  of  the  Cargo  that  I  sent 
out  in  her :  be  (at  her  returne  to  Boston)  disposed  of  by  my  overseers 


26  EARLY   WILLS. 

hereafter  named  and  the  neate  produce  thereof  be  Equally  divided 
amongst  my  Cliildren  my  sone  John  Winslow  oncly  Excepted  and  to 
have  no  part  thereof:  Item  I  giue  and  bequeath  unto  my  sone  Benja- 
min the  full  sume  of  one  hundred  pounds  to  be  paid  him  by  my 
Executo''  or  overseers  hereafter  named  when  he  shall  attaine  the  Age 
of  twenty  one  yeares.  Item  my  Will  is  that  if  my  sone  Edward 
Winslow  shall  see  cause  to  relinquish  his  s''  part  and  intrest  in  the 
s*^  Katch  Speedwell  and  her  proceeds :  then  my  Will  is  that  he  shall 
have  one  quarter  part  of  my  Katch  John's  Adventure  unto  his  owne 
proper  use  :  And  then  the  said  Katch  and  Cargo  to  be  Equally  divided 
among  my  other  Children  :  my  son  John  Excepted  as  alForesaid  togather 
with  my  sone  Edward  from  haveing  any  part  in  the  alforesaid  Katch 
or  Cargo.  Item  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  grandchild  Susanna 
Latham  the  sume  of  thirty  pounds  in  mony  to  be  paid  her  at  the  day 
of  her  marriage  And  to  the  rest  of  my  Daughter  Lathams  Children  I 
give  and  bequeath  unto  Each  of  them  live  pound  g  peece  to  be  paid 
unto  them  as  they  shall  come  to  age  or  the  day  of  marriage.  Item 
I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  sone  Edward  Winslows  Children  the 
sume  of  five  pounds  g  peece  to  be  paid  unto  them  as  they  shall  come 
to  age  or  the  Day  of  Marriage.  Item  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my 
sone  Edward  Grey  his  children  that  he  had  by  my  Daughter  Mary 
Grey  the  sume  of  twenty  pounds  g  peece  to  be  paid  unto  them  when 
they  come  to  age  or  the  day  of  their  respective  marriages.  Item  I 
give  unto  my  sone  Josei)h  Winslow's  two  Children  five  pounds  g 
peece  to  be  paid  unto  them  as  aflforesaid.  Item  I  give  unto  my  Grand- 
child Mercy  Harris  her  two  Children  five  pounds  apeece  to  be  paid 
unto  them  as  aflforesaid.  Item  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  ray  Kinsman 
Josiah  Winslow  now  Governo''  of  New  Plimoth  the  sume  of  twenty 
pounds  to  be  paid  unto  him  by  my  overseers  in  Goods  :  Item  I  give 
unto  my  Brother  Josiah  Winslow  the  suuie  of  twenty  pounds  to  be 
paid  unto  him  by  my  overseers  in  Goods:  both  in  convenient  time 
after  my  decease.  Item  I  give  unto  my  kinswoman  Eleano''  Baker 
the  Daughter  of  my  Brother  Kenelem  Winslow  fiue  pounds  to  be 
paid  her  in  goods  by  my  overseers  in  convenient  time  after  my  de- 
cease. Item  my  will  is  that  what  my  Estate  shall  amount  unto  more 
then  will  pay  funcrall  Charges  My  Debts  and  Legacyes  in  this  my  will 
given  and  bequeathed  it  siiall  be  divided  (after  the  Decease  of  my  said 
wife)  among  my  seaven  Children  in  Equall  proportions  Except  any 
one  of  my  said  Children  shall  have  any  Extraordinary  providence  be- 
fall them  by  way  of  any  Eminent  Losse  then  that  })art  of  my  Estate 
tliat  shall  reniaine  as  alforesaid  shall  be  divided  &  distributed  accord- 
ing to  the  prudence  and  discression  of  my  overseers  hereafter  named 
or  any  two  of  them :  Item  my  will  is  that  in  case  any  of  my  now 
children  shall  dye  before  my  said  wife  that  then  his  or  their  propor- 
tion of  the  said  remaineing  Estate  shall  be  disposed  to  his  or  their 
Cliildren  if  they  have  any:  if  not,  then  that  part  or  parts  shall  be 
equally  divided  amongst  the  survivors  of  my  said  Children :  Item  I  give 


EARLY   WILLS.  27 

to  M""  Paddyes  Widdow  five  pounds  as  a  token  of  ray  love.  Item 
my  will  is  that  my  Negro  Girle  Jane  (after  she  hath  served  twenty 
yeares  from  the  date  hereof  shall  be  free  :  and  that  she  shall  serve  ray 
wife  during  her  life  and  after  ray  wifes  decease  she  shall  be  disposed  of 
according  to  the  discression  of  ray  overseers  hereafter  naraed  or  any 
two  of  them :  Item  I  doe  nominate  and  appoint  my  sone  John  Winslow 
the  sole  Execute^  of  this  my  last  Will  and  testament :  Item  I  doe  hereby 
nominate  &  appoint  my  loveing  ffriends  M"^  Thomas  Brattle  M"" 
William  Tailer  and  M""  John  Winsley  my  Overseers  to  see  this  my  will 
performed  so  farr  as  they  can :  And  I  doe  hereby  give  unto  my  said 
Overseers  five  pounds  apeece  in  mony  as  a  token  of  ray  love  Itera 
my  will  is  that  my  said  overseers  or  any  two  of  them  shall  &  hereby 
have  full  power  to  make  saile  of  any  part  of  my  vessell  or  vesells 
that  I  have  not  hereby  disposed  of:  And  also  any  other  goods  wares 
and  merchandize  for  the  bestadvantage  of  ray  aiforesaid  Children  :  And 
better  payra*  of  other  Legacyes  by  me  hereby  given  &  bequeathed : 
Item  my  will  is  that  during  the  absence  of  my  said  Executo''  ray  over- 
seers above  named  or  any  two  of  them  have  full  power  to  act  in  all 
matters  and  things  respecting  this  ray  will  as  if  he  was  personally 
present:  And  farther  ray  Will  is  that  ray  said  Executo*"  shall  not  act  in 
any  raatter  or  thing  respecting  this  ray  Will  without  the  advice  and 
consent  of  my  said  overseers  or  two  of  them  And  that  my  Executo'" 
shall  not  under  any  pretence  whatsoever  claime  any  raore  of  ray  Es- 
tate then  I  have  hereby  bequeathed  hira.  In  Witnesse  whereof  I  the 
said  John  Winslow  sen'  have  hereunto  set  ray  hand  &  seale  the 
day  and  yeare  first  above  written. 

Signed  sealed  &  published  by  John  John  Winslow     Seal. 

Winslow  Sen""  as  his  last  will  &  Testam* 
in  the  presence  of  us 

John  Joy  I  i  fie 

John  Hay  ward  scr. 
Proved  31  July  1674. 


Mary  Winslow. 

In  the  name  of  God  Amen  the  thirty  first  day  of  July  in  the  yeare 
of  our  Lord  one  thousand  six  hundred  seventy  and  Six  I  Mary 
Winslow  of  Boston  in  New  England  Widdow  being  weake  of  Body 
but  of  sound  and  perfect  memory  praysed  be  almighty  God  for  the 
same  Knowing  the  uncertainety  of  this  present  life  and  being  desirous 
to  settle  that  outward  Estate  the  Lord  hath  Lent  raejdoe  raake  this  ray 
last  Will  and  Testara'  in  manner  and  forme  following  (that  is  to  say) 
First  and  Principally  I  comend  my  soule  into  the  hands  of  Almighty 
God  my  Creato""  hopeing  to  receive  full  pardon  and  remission  of  all 
my  sins,  and  Salvation  through  the  alone  merrits  of  Jesus  Christ  my 
redeemer:  And  my  body  to  the  Earth  to  be  buried  in  Such  Decent 


28  EARLY   WILLS. 

manner  as  to  my  Executo"^  hereafter  named  shall  be  thought  meet 
and  convenient  and  as  touching  such  worldy  Estate  as  the  Lord  hath 
Lent  me  my  Will  and  nieaneing  is  the  same  shall  be  imploycd  and 
bestowed  as  hereafter  in  and  by  this  my  Will  is  Exprest. 

Imp'*  I  doe  hereby  revoake  renounce  and  make  voidc  all  Wills  by  me 
formerly  made  and  declaire  and  apoint  this  my  last  Will  and  Testam* 
Item  I  will  that  all  the  Debts  that  I  Justly  owe  to  any  manner  of 
person  or  persons  whatsoever  shall  be  well  and  truely  paid  or  ordained 
to  l)e  paid  in  convenient  time  after  my  decease  by  my  Exccuto' 
hereafter  named.  Item  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  ray  sone  John 
Winslow  my  great  square  table.  Item  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my 
Daughter  Sarah  Middlecott  my  Best  gowne  and  Pettecoat  and  my 
Silver  beare  bowle  and  to  each  of  her  children  a  Silver  Cup  with  an 
handle  :  Also  I  give  unto  my  grandchild  William  Paine  my  Great  silver 
tankard :  Item  I  give  unto  my  Daughtor  Susannah  Latham  my  long 
Table  :  six  Joyned  stooles  and  ray  great  Cupljoard  a  bedstead  Bedd  and 
furniture  there  unto  belonging  that  is  in  the  Chamber  over  the  roome 
where  I  now  Lye:  my  small  Silver  Tankard  :  six  Silver  Spoones,  acase 
of  Bottles  with  all  my  wearing  apparrell :  (except  onely  what  I  have 
herel)y  bequeathed  unto  my  Daughtor  Meddlecott  &  my  grandchild 
Susanna  Latham:)  Item  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  Grandchild 
Ann  Gray  that  trunke  of  Linning  that  I  have  alreddy  delivered  to 
her  and  is  in  her  possession :  and  also  one  Bedstead,  Bedd,  Boulster 
and  Pillows  that  are  in  the  Chamber  over  the  Hall:  Also  the  suine 
of  ten  pounds  in  mony  to  be  paid  unto  her  within  six  monthe's 
next  after  my  decease:  Also  my  will  is  that  my  Execute''  shall  pay 
foure  pounds  in  raony  g  ann  for  three  yeares  unto  M^'*  Tappin 
out  of  the  Intrest  of  my  mony  now  in  Goodman  Cleare  hands  for 
and  towards  the  maintenance  of  the  said  Ann  Gray  according  to  my 
agreem*  with  M'"'*  Tappin :  Item  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  Mary 
Winslow  Dau(!:htor  of  my  sone  Edward  Winslow  my  largest  Silver 
Cupp  with  two  handles  :  and  unto  Sarah  Dauiihtor  of  the  said  Edward 
my  lesser  Silver  cupp  with  two  handles  :  Also  I  give  unto  my  said  Sone 
Edwards  Cliildren  six  silver  spoones  to  be  divided  between  them: 
Item  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  grandchild  Parnell  Winslow  the 
sume  of  five  pounds  in  mony  to  be  improved  by  my  Execute'"  un- 
till  he  come  of  age  :  and  then  paid  unto  him  with  the  improvera'  Item 
I  give  &  bequeath  unto  ray  grandchild  Chilton  Latham  the  sume  of 
five  pounds  in  mony  to  be  imi)roved  for  him  untill  he  come  of  Age 
and  tlien  paid  to  him  with  the  improvem'  Item  ray  will  is  that 
the  rest  of  ray  spoones  be  divided  among  my  grand  children  accord- 
ing to  the  discression  of  my  Daughtor  Middlecott:  Item  I  give  unto 
my  Grandchild  Mercy  Harris  my  White  Rugg:  Item  I  give  unto 
my  Grandchild  Mary  Pollard  forty  shillings  in  mony.  Item  I  ^ive 
unto  ray  oriindchild  Susannah  Latham  my  Petty  Coate  with  the  Silke 
Lace:  Item  I  give  unto  Mary  Winslow  Daughter  of  ray  sone  Joseph 
Winslow  the  suiiie  of  twenty  pounds  in  mony  to  be  paid  out  of 


EARLT   WILLS.  29 

the  sume  my  said  Sone  Joseph  now  owes  to  be  improved  by  my 
ExecLito'"  for  the  said  Mary  and  paid  unto  her  when  she  shall  attaine 
the  Age  of  Eighteene  yeares  or  day  of  marriage  which  of  them  shall 
first  happen.  Item  I  give  and  bequeath  the  full  remainder  of  my 
Estate  whatsoever  it  is  or  wheresoever  it  may  be  found  unto  my 
children  Namely  John  Winslow  Edward  Winslow  Joseph  Winslow 
Samucll  Winslow:  Susannah  Latham  and  Sarah  Middlecott  to  be 
equally  divided  betweene  them.  Item  I  doe  hereby  nominate  con- 
stitute authorize  and  appoint  my  trusty  friend  m''  William  Tailer  of 
Boston  aflfores''  merchant  the  Sole  Executo'^  of  this  my  last  Will  and 
testam*;  In  Witness  whereof  I  the  said  Mary  Winslow  have  hereunto 
set  my  hand  and  Scale  the  day  and  yeare  first  above  written. 
Signed  Sealed  &  Memorandum  I  doe  hereby  also  Give  and 

Published  by  the  bequeath  unto  m"^  Thomas  Thacher  paster 

above  named  Mary  of  the  third  Church  in  Boston  the  sume  of 

Winslow  as  her  five  pounds  in  mony  to  be  pd  in  convenient 

Last  Will  &  time  after  my  decease  by  my  Executo'. 

testam'  in  the 

presence  of  us  Mary  "^  Winslow 

after  the  adding  her  marke     Seal 

of  foure  lines  as 
part  of  her  will. 

John  Hands 

firancis  H  Racket 
her  marke 

John  Hay  ward  scr. 
Proved  11  July  1679. 


Increase  Nowell. 
The  23  of  the  4:'"^  Month  1655. 
I   Increase   Nowell  of   Charlestowne   in   New   England  planter 
being  of  sound  mind  and  memory  (at  this  present  blessed  be  God)  do 
make  &  ordaine  this  my  last  Will  &  Testam*. 

First.  I  Commend  my  soule  to  Allmighty  God  my  heavenly 
Father  who  hath  freely  loved  it,  and  given  his  Sonne  to  redeeme  it 
by  shedding  his  precious  blood  that  he  might  cleanse  it. 

2.  Next  I  commit  my  body  to  y*"  ground  to  be  buried  in  a  comely 
manner  if  the  Lord  please. 

3.  Next  my  debts  Legacies  &  funerall  charges  being  paid  I  give 
my  wife  a  full  third  of  my  estate  and  ten  pound  over. 

4.  Next  I  give  my  mother  Coitmore  five  pound  a  small  token 
of  my  love  if  living  at  my  death. 

5.  Next  my  will  is  that  my  sonne  Increase,  his  owne  inclination 
being  to  Sea,  be  brought  vp  a  Seaman. 


30  EAKLY   WILLS. 

6.  Next  my  will  is  that  my  sonne  Alexander  if  he  incline  to 
learninf]f  be  brouojht  up  a  Scholler,  if  y*  estate  be  able  to  beare  it, 
&  he  prove  towardly,  &  capable,  if  not  in  some  other  honest  trade 
as  my  Executo''s,  &  overseers  thinke  mectc. 

7.  My  estate  remaining  after  my  debts  <fe  legacies  are  paid,  my 
will  is  to  have  it  divided  into  Six  parts  of  which  Saumell  to  have  two 
parts,  Increase,  Alexander,  Mehetabell,  &  Mary  to  have  each  one 
part,  if  any  of  them  dye  before  they  come  to  age,  or  be  married,  the 
survivor's  to  have  the  part  belonging  to  them,  my  sonnes  to  have  their 
portions  at  twenty  one  yeares  of  age,  or  at  their  marriage  with  their 
Mothers  Consent  which  shall  be  first,  my  Daughters  to  have  their 
portions  at  twenty  yeares  of  age,  or  at  their  marriage  with  their 
Mothers  Consent  which  shall  be  first. 

9.  Next  I  give  to  M""  Zachary  Sims  o"^  Pasto"^  of  Charlestowne 
forty  shillings. 

10.  Next  I  give  to  M""  John  Wilson  Pasto""  of  Boston  forty 
shillings. 

11.  Next  I  give  to  M''  John  Green  ruling  Elder  in  Charlestowne 
twenty  shillings. 

12.  Next  I  give  Ralph  Mousall  forty  shillings. 

13.  Next  I  give  to  Robert  Hale  forty  shillings. 

Lastly  I  ordaine,  &  make  my  loving  Wife  Parnell  No  well,  &  my 
Sonne  Samuell  Nowell  my  Executo''s,  &  Ralph  Mousall  &  Robert 
Hale  my  overseers  of  this  my  last  will  &  Testam^  in  wittnesse 
whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  :  this  23^'^  of  y''  4  M"  1655. 

by  mee  Increase  Nowell. 

Proved  25  December  1655. 

At  a  County  Court  held  at  Charlestowne. 
25.^1655. 
M""  Zachery  Simes  Pasto""  of  the  Ch  :  at  Charlestowne,  and  Sarah 
the  wife  of  Hugh  Williams  of  Boston.  Deposed  in  Court  that  the 
above  named  Increase  Nowell  deceased  being  of  sound  Judgement 
&  good  memory  made  this  above  written  his  last  will  &  testam*  to 
their  best  knowledge  &  vnderstanding. 

Thomas  Danforth  Recorder. 


William  Johnson. 

I  William  Johnson  being  weake  in  body  but  of  sound  memory 
calling  to  mind  my  mortality  do  make  this  my  last  Will  &  testam*. 
flfirst  I  coniitt  my  Soull  to  God  who  gave  it  mee,  and  my  body  to  the 
earth  therein  to  be  decently  buryed  after  life  departed.  As  for  my 
outward  estate  I  dispose  of  as  followeth,  &  that  after  my  decease,  I 
do  give  unto  my  beloved  wife  Elizab :  Johnson  full  pow""  to  sell  my 


EARLY  WILLS.  31 

land  on  misticke  side,  lijng  neere  to  the  land  of  John  Sergeant,  and 
my  will  is  that  my  beloved  wife  shall  pay  to  my  sonne  Joseph  John- 
son Twenty  pounds  of  the  first  paym*  for  the  land,  and  to  pay  to  my 
Sonne  Jonathan  Johnson  Ten  pounds  of  the  first  paym*,  and  that  my 
Sonne  Jonathan  Johnson  shall  receive  of  his  Mother  more  ten  pounds 
of  the  last  paym*  for  the  land,  and  y*'  rest  of  the  pay  for  the  land  I 
give  it  to  my  beloved  wife.     Item  I  do  give  to  my  daughf  Elizat*. 
Wiar  my  land  at  CamTjr :  line  conteyneing  foure  acc""^  more  or  less, 
I  give  it  her  &  her  heyres  for  ever  after  my  decease.     It™.    I  do 
give  to  my  Grand   Child  Elizaft :  Bacon  six  sheep  &  lambs  now 
in  her  possession.     I  give  it  to  her  after  my  decease.     Itm.  I  do 
give  to  my  sonne  Nathaniel  Johnson  the  right  &  interest  that  I 
haue  in  the  house  &  land  that  his  wife  Joanna  Johnson  lives  in,  and 
further  I  give  unto  him  the  barne  and  land  belonging  to  it,  adjoyne- 
Ing  to  y*^  land  belonging  to  the  house  of  my  sonne  Natlianiel  John- 
son, the  barne  shee  is  to  haue  possession  of  after  my  wifes  decease 
&  not  before.      I  do  give  this  house  land  &  barne  to  my  sonne 
Nathaniel  if  he  be  alive,  if  not  then  I  give  it  to  his  two  sonnes,  they 
to  possesse  it  w'  they  come  to  the  age  of  twenty  one  yeares,  and  my 
daughter  Joannah  Johnson  to  injoy  it  till  that  time,  And  for  the  rest 
of  my  estate  of  housing  lands  moveables  whatsoever  elce  that  is  my 
estate,  I  give  it  to  my  well  beloved  wife  Elizab:  Johnson  for  her 
comfortable  lively  hood,  and  if  that  shee  stand  in  need  of  supply  I 
do  give  her  pow"^  to  sell  any  part  of  the  housing  or  land  or  the  whole 
for  her  comfortable  subsistance,  and  my  will  is  that  my  well  beloved 
wife  haue  pow""  to  dispose  of  my  household  goods  to  any  of  her 
children  either  in  the  time  of  her  life  or  at  her  death  as  shee  shall 
see  cause.     And  at  my  wifes  decease  my  will  is  that  w*  of  th'  estate 
shall  then  remaine  of  housing  land  or  moveables  undisposed  of  shall 
bo  divided  among  my  sonnes  viz*   John  Johnson  Joseph  Johnson 
Jonathan  Johnson  Nathaniel  Johnson  or  his  Children  if  he  be  dead, 
&  Zachariah  Johnson  &  Isaac  Johnson,  my  eldest  sonne  to  haue  a 
double  porccon  Jn°  Johnson,  the  rest  of  my  sonnes  to  haue  equall  p'^ 
of  this  estate  that  my  wife  may  leave  at  her  decease,    And  further  my 
will  is  that  my  sonne  Zachary  Johnson  should  haue  the  Kill  house, 
and  y'^  Mill  in  it,  if  so  much  fall  .to  his  share,  if  not  he  to  haue  the 
house  &  mill  paijng  to  his  Brethren  the  overplus  that  they  haue 
equall  shares  according  to  the  will.  And  I  do  appoynt  my  beloved 
wife  my  sole  Executrix  of  this  my  last  will  &  testam'  made  the  7*^ 
of  decemfe.  1677.  and  in  testimony  hereof  I  haue  hereunto  sett  my 
hand. 

witnes  the  marks  William  Johnson. 

of  Richard  Kettle 
Jn°  Cutler 

Proved  2  April  1678. 


32  EARLY   WILLS. 


M"  Rebecca  Lynde. 


In  tlic  Name  of  God  Amen  the  Sixth  Day  of  April  Ann° 
Dom'  One  thousand  six  hundred  Eighty  and  Eight.  I  Rebecca 
Lynde  of  Charls-Town  in  New  England  Widdow  being  in  perfect 
health  and  of  sound  and  perfect  memory  (prays  be  given  to  Almighty 
God  for  the  same)  and  knowing  the  uncertainty  of  this  present  life  and 
that  all  flesh  must  yeild  unto  death  when  it  shall  please  God  to  call 
and  being  desirous  of  settling  my  outward  estate  before  my  de- 
parture out  of  this  world,  Do  make  and  declare  this  my  last  will  and 
testament  in  manner  and  forme  following  (that  is  to  say)  First  and 
principally  1  comend  my  sole  to  Almighty  God  my  creator  assuredly 
beleaveing  that  I  shall  receive  full  pardon  and  remission  of  all  my  siiis 
and  be  saved  by  the  precious  death  and  merits  of  my  savio""  and 
redemer  Christ  Jesus,  and  my  body  to  the  earth  from  whence  it 
was  taken  to  be  buried  in  such  desent  manner  as  to  my  Eexecuto"^ 
hereafter  named  shall  be  thought  meete  and  convenient,  And  as 
touching  such  worldly  estate  as  the  Lord  in  mercy  hath  lent  me 
my  will  and  meaning  is,  the  same  shall  be  imployed  &  bestowed  as 
hereafter  by  this  my  will  is  expressed.  Revoking  and  adnulling  by 
these  presents  all  Wills  heretofore  made  and  declared  either  by  word 
or  written.  And  this  to  be  taken  for  my  last  will  and  testamend  and 
none  other.  First  I  will  that  all  those  debts  and  duties  that  I  owe  in 
right  or  conscience  to  any  manner  of  pson  or  persons  whatsoever 
shall  be  well  and  truly  contented  and  paid  within  convenient  time 
after  my  decease  by  my  Executo''  hereafter  named  and  my  funerall 
expences  being  discharged  the  remainder  of  my  estate  I  give  and  be- 
queath as  followeth  viz'. 

Imp"  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  two  Daughters  namely 
Elizabeth  Kemble  and  Rebecca  Jenner  All  ray  Household  Goods  of 
what  kind  soever  (except  some  part  of  my  plate  otherwise  disposed 
of  as  is  hereafter  expressed)  to  be  equally  diuided  between  them 
and  to  be  to  their  use  and  behoofe  for  ever. 

Item  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Grand-child  David  Jenner  one 
Silver  Spoon  marked  R  L : 

Itt  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Grand-child  Nicholas  Trerise 
my  Silver  Tankard  marked  N  R  T : 

Itt  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Grand-child  Hannah  Trerise  my 
Silver  Cupp  marked  N  R  T : 

Itt  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Grand-child  Elizabeth  Jenner 
a  Silver  Cupp  marked  R  T : 

Itt  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Grand-child  Mary  Goose  my 
Silver  potenger  marked  N  R  T : 

Itt  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Grand-child  John  Goose  one 
Silver  Spoon  marked  R  L  : 

Itt  I  Give  &  Bequeath  unto  my  Daughter  Kemble  two  Silver 
Spoons  marked  R  T : 


EARLY   WILLS.  33 

Itt  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Grand-child  Sarah  Kemble  a 
Silver  Spoon  marked  I  L  : 

Itt  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Grand-child  Rebecca  Lynde  one 
Silver  Spoon  marked  R  L. 

Itt  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Grand-sonn  John  Goose  five 
pounds  to  be  paid  him  at  the  age  of  One  and  twenty  yearcs. 

Itt :  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Grand-child  Mary  Goose  the 
summ  of  five  pounds  to  be  paid  her  at  the  age  of  twenty  one  yeares 
or  day  of  marriage  either  of  which  shall  first  happen  But  if  that 
either  of  my  said  Grand-children  the  above  named  Mary  or  John 
Goose  depart  this  life  before  the  respective  time  appointed  for  the 
payment  of  their  above  mentioned  Legacies  of  five  pounds  p""  piece 
(which  is  to  be  understood  are  to  be  paid  in  current  money  of  new : 
england)  then  my  mind  and  will  is  that  the  surviveo""  of  them  shall 
have  obtaine  and  enjoy  the  others  bequeathed  Leagacie  of  five  pounds 
at  the  time  it  should  have  been  paid  to  the  deceased  had  he  or  she 
lived. 

Itt.  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  ray  Grand-child  Nicholas  Trerise 
All  that  my  Dwellinghouse  and  land  with  the  wharf  &  appurtenances 
thereunto  belonging  with  the  liberties  &  preuiledes  to  the  sd  house 
&  premisses  appurtaining  Scittuate  lying  and  being  in  Charls-Town 
afore  sd  now  or  late  in  the  Tenour  and  occupation  of  James  Kelly 
and  Robert  Smith  or  one  of  them,  which  was  formerly  the  estate  of 
M''  Abraham  Pratt.  Hee  the  said  Nicholas  Trerise  paying  within 
six  months  after  my  Decease  unto  his  Brother  my  Grand-child  John 
Trerise  the  full  sume  of  tenn  pounds  of  current  money  of  New : 
England  which  sume  I  hereby  bequeath  unto  the  sd  Jn"  Trerise  to 
be  paid  as  aforesd. 

Itt  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  Hannah  Trerise  All  that  my  Smale 
Dwelling  house  or  Tenement  Scituate  lying  &  being  in  Charls : 
Town  aboves^  with  the  appurtenances  and  previledges  thereunto  be- 
longing in  the  same  manner  as  1  now  possess  the  same  or  of  right 
might  or  could  do  which  said  Tenement  was  the  Dwelling  of  Good" 
Stowres. 

Itt  1  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Sonn  m""  Joseph  Lynd  all  my 
land  in  and  neer  the  Township  of  Redding  with  the  appurtenances  &c. 
thereto. 

Itt  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Grand-child  m""  David  Jenner 
of  Boston  Merch*  my  Dwelling  house  in  which  I  now  dwell  and  ground 
whereon  it  standeth  and  land  adjoyning  Scittuate  in  Charls-Town 
above  s'^  w*''  all  liberties  preuiledges  easem*'  &  appurtenances  there- 
unto belonging. 

Lastly.  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  good  friend  M''  Benjamin 
Bullivant  of  Boston  the  Sume  of  forty  shillings  to  buy  him  a  Ring. 

All  other  my  estate  whatsoever  my  just  debts  &  legacies  being 
paid,  &  funerall  expences  being  discharged  as  aforesd  I  Give  and 
bequeath  unto  my  sd  Grand-child  m'  David  Jenner,  whome  I  appoint 
4 


34  EARLY    WILLS. 

constitute  (fc  ordaine  Sole  Exocuto""  to  tliis  ray  last  Will  and  testa- 
ment. In  Witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  put  my  hand  and  Seal 
the  Day  and  yeare  first  above  written. 

The  marke  of 
Rebecca  R  L  Lynde  Seal 
Signed  Sealed  and  Published 
in  the  presence  of  us 
Laur :  Elainmond 
Abell  Beniarain 
Samuell  Lord 

Proved  17  December  1689. 


William  Dole. 

The  Last  Will  and  Testament  of  William  Dole  of  Newbury  in  the 
County  of  Essex  in  the  province  of  the  Massachusets  Bay  in  New  Eng- 
land which  is  as  foUoweth,  First  in  Gods  appointed  time  I  Resigne 
my  soule  into  the  hands  of  God  that  gave  it,  and  my  body  to  the 
Dust  untill  the  Day  of  Rcsurrectyon  of  the  Just,  with  Good  hopes 
at  that  Day  to  Reeceive  itt,  according  to  the  Gratyous  promise  of 
the  God  of  grace;  and  Trust  In  Jesus  Christ;  and  for  my  Tem- 
poral Goods  that  God  hath  given  me  I  Dispose  of  as  followeth 

I  Giue  to  my  Two  Sones,  Samuel  and  Benjamin  all  my  Land  Leying 
on  or  neere  crane  neck  Knowne  by  the  name  of  ray  Rate  Lott  as  it 
was  Laid  out  for  my  Honr''  father  Mr  Richard  Dole  Deceased,  and 
also  my  Lott  of  Land  Lying  on  merrimeck  River  in  Newbury ;  and 
also  all  my  Lands  and  Rights  in  Lands  Leying  Ither  in  Haverhill 
Almsbury  Salsbury  or  Rowley  and  also  a  piece  of  marsh  Lying  in 
plumb  Island  ;  bounded  northerly  by  my  brother  abner ;  and  easterly 
on  the  point  of  sand  and  southerly  partly  on  my  brother  Richards 
and  partly  on  ray  brother  peters  thair  raarsh :  and  westerly  on  the 
main  Riuer  Including  the  Island  in  s"*  River  I  also  giue  to  ray  s*^  Two 
sones  one  pair  of  oxen  and  Two  cows  and  one  horse  and  a  yoak 
and  chain,  all  the  aboue  s''  premises  to  be  equaly  Diuided  betwixt 
them ;  but  if  it  should  please  God  that  Ither  Samuel  or  Benjamin 
should  Dye  with  out  haircs  then  the  aboue  raentyoned  Lands  shall  all 
be  for  the  suruiucing  brother. 

Itara  I  haueing  giuen  ray  Daughter  Hannah  considerable  alredy: 
I  doe  fcrther  giue  ray  s*^  Daughter  hannah  all  that  her  husband  did 
owe  me  and  also  five  pounds  more  which  is  to  be  in  full  of  her 
pourtyo 

Itam  I  giue  to  my  Daughter  Mary  soe  mutch  as  will  make  up 
what  she  hauc  alredey  had  the  sume  of  fifty  and  fower  pounds  to  be 
paid  with  in  one  year  after  my  Decease; 


EARLY    WILLS.  35 

Ttam  I  Giue  to  my  Daiifiliter  Jane  soe  match  as  will  make  up 
what  she  liath  alredey  had,  the  sumo  of  fifty  and  fower  pounds  to  be 
paid  with  in  one  year  after  my  Decease; 

Itam  I  Giue  to  my  Daughter  patiance  soe  mutch  as  will  make 
up  what  she  hath  alredey  had  the  sume  of  fifty  and  fower  pounds  to 
be  paid  with  in  one  yeare  after  my  Decease; 

Itam  I  Giue  to  my  Daughter  apphiah  the  sume  of  fifty  and  fower 
pounds  to  be  ])aid  with  in  one  year  after  my  Decease. 

Also  I  Giue  to  my  Dear  and  Loueing  Wife  Mary:  a  lower  Roorae 
and  chamljer  and  liberty  of  a  seller;  Ither  in  my  Dwelling  house  or 
in  the  house  my  sone  William  Hues  in  which  she  shall  see  cause  and 
also  the  one  half  of  the  household  stuff  she  to  have  my  best  bed  and 
furniture  in  her  part;  and  also  one  Quarter  part  of  my  money  I  have 
in  the  house:  s**  money  and  half  of  my  mouables  with  in  Dores  I 
giue  to  my  s*^  beloved  wife  to  dispose  of  as  she  shall  se  cause  and 
also  my  marsh  Leying  in  Rowley  neere  a  place  called  Cow  bridg  to 
Dispose  of  as  she  shall  se  cause :  unless  one  of  my  sones  will  giue 
her  Ten  pounds  for  it;  and  also  the  use  of  a  horse  when  she  shall 
se  cause  and  also  the  use  of  Two  cows  which  shall  be  kept  for  her 
sumer  and  winter  and  also  Twelve  bushils  of  Indian  corne  and  Three 
of  Rye:  and  one  of  wheat;  and  eight  bushels  of  mault  and  Twelve 
pound  of  sheepswool  and  eight  pounds  of  cotton  wool  and  eight 
pounds  of  flex  to  be  paid  her  yearly  and  Eight  cords  of  wood  yearly 
to  be  deliuered  at  the  Dore :  and  also  one  Third  part  of  my  orchard 
and  a  conveniant  garden  of  two  Rods :  It  is  to  be  understood  that 
the  use  of  ray  house  and  all  the  yearly  payments  which  I  have  giuen 
my  s'^  wife,  she  shall  have  paid  her  as  is  above  exprest  soe  Long  as 
she  shall  Reemain  my  Widdow  but  if  she  shall  se  cause  to  marrey 
again  then  she  shall  aquit  all  her  aboue  mentioned  gifts  Exept  the 
half  of  the  mouable  estat  with  in  Dores  and  the  money  and  the  marsh 
above  s"^  and  in  lieue  thareof  my  Executors  shall  pay  her  fourty 
pounds  money. 

Also  I  giue  to  ray  sone  William  in  perticular  the  house  he  now 
Dwels  in  and  the  barne  by  it :  and  also  a  piece  of  marsh  knowne  by 
the  name  of  the  fower  acres  in  Newbury  as  it  Layes  Joyning  to  my 
brother  Abners  marsh  also  I  giae  to  my  sone  Richard  in  perticular 
my  Dweling  house  and  barne  by  it. 

Lastly  I  make  my  Two  Sones  William  and  Richard  my  Whole  and 
Sole  Executors  of  this  my  Last  will  and  Testement  to  Reeceive  all 
ray  Lands  meadows  goods  and  Chattels ;  that  I  have  not  Disposed  of 
to  be  Equaly  Divided  betwixt  them ;  and  to  Receive  all  my  Debts 
y*  is  Due  to  me  and  to  pay  all  the  Debts  that  I  Doe  owe  and  funeral 
charges  and  also  to  pay  all  the  Leagasies  y'  I  have  given. 

My  will  lerther  is  that  if  it  should  please  god  to  take  away  my 
sone  Richard  by  Death  and  he  leaue  no  male  Hair  then  my  sone 
Samuel  shall  haue  what  I  haue  giuen  to  my  son  Richard  as  to  hous- 
ing and  Lands,  and  on  the  same  condityons  but  I  doe  order  and  my 


36 


EARLY    WILLS. 


will  is  y'  If  my  sone  Richard   Dye   and    laue   a   widow   and   only 

Dau.diters  that  s''  widdow  shall  Injoy  one  Third  i)art  of  the  housing 

and  Lands  y'  1  hauc  i^iuen  to  niy  sone  Richard  Diireini;  her  widdow 

hood,  and  my  will  further  is  y^  If  my  sone  Richard  Should  dye  and 

leaue  only  a  Daughter  or  Daughters  my  s*^  sone  Samuel  shall   pay 

each  of  them  fifty  pounds  my  will  is   fcrther  y'  If  ray  sone  Samuel 

(should  by  the  deth  of  his  brother  Richard;  without  male   Haire) 

come  to  poses  what  I  hauc  in  Lands  giuen  to  my  s'^  sone;   and   my 

sone  benjamin  should  dye  with  out  haire  then  my  will  is  y'  my  sone 

William  shall  hauc  the  one  half  of  the  afore  s*"  Rate  Lott;  and  this 

is  my  Last   Will  and   Testement  haueing   my  perfect  memory  and 

understanding  as  witness  my  hand  and  Scale  this  Twenty  ninth  Day 

of  January  anno  Dom  seauenteen  hundred  and  seauentecu  or  eighteen 

my  will  is  ferther  that  my  sons 

Samuel  and  benjamin  shall  haue 

a  bed  and  Ten  sheep 

Signed  Sealed  and  declared 

in  presents  of  us  The  raarke  7  a^'id  sale 

Siluanus  Plumar  of  William  Dole     Seal 

Saniuell  Plumer 
Thomas  Hale 
Proved  11  February  1718. 


William  Foster. 

In  the  Name  of  God  Amen.  I  William  Foster  of  Charlestowne 
in  y®  County  of  Midd^  in  New  England  being  weak  and  ill  in  body, 
but  of  good  and  p'fect  memory,  blessed  be  God  for  it  And  know- 
ing the  uncertainty  of  this  life  and  desirous  to  settle  things  in  order 
Do  make  Constitute  and  appoint  this  to  be  my  Last  Will  &  Testa- 
ment. Imp''mis:  I  Cominitt  my  Soul  to  Almighty  God  my  Creato"^ 
assuredly  beleiving  I  shall  receiue  pardon  of  my  sin  in  and  through 
Jesus  Christ  my  Dear  Redeemer  and  my  body  to  the  earth  from 
whence  it  was  taken  to  be  decently  buried  at  y*^  discretion  of  my 
Executo''^  here  after  named,  Ar.d  as  touching  such  worldly  Estate 
as  y*'  Lord  hath  gi-aciously  Lent  me,  my  will  is  it  be  disposed  and 
Imployed  as  hereafter  mentioned.  First  hereby  revokcing  and  make- 
ing  voide  all  and  euery  other  Will  or  Wills  by  me  heretofore  made 
by  word  or  writing  Do  Constitute  and  appoint  this  to  be  my  last 
Will  and  Testament  and  no  other.  It'"  I  will  that  all  my  Just  debts 
and  duties  I  ow  in  right  or  Conscience  to  any  p''son  whomsoeuer,  my 
funerall  Charges,  as  also  all  those  Legacies  here  after  named  Shall  be 
well  and  truly  paid  in  Convenient  time  after  my  Decease  by  my 
Exccuto".  Item  1  Do  giue  tiie  Iinproucment  of  my  Dwelling  house 
Orchard  and  ground  thereto  belonging  and  adjoining,  As  also  my  two 


EARLY    WILLS.  37 

peices  of  Wharfe  &  Creek  and  my  Wood  Lott  in  y'^  first  Division  of 
Lotts,  and  Moveables  to  my  beloved  wife  Ann  Foster  for  her  Com- 
fortable Subsistence  (till  and)  so  long  as  She  Continueth  my  Widdow, 
fully  Impowering  her  with  ray  other  Executo''s  hereafter  named  to 
Sell  either  or  both  the  said  peices  of  Wharf  and  Wood  Lott  in  y® 
first  Division  or  moveables  for  y"  better  inabling  of  them  to  pay  my 
Said  Debts  and  Legacies.  Item  I  do  giue  and  bequeath  as  follows 
viz :  To  My  Daughter  Mary  Phillips  I  do  giue  that  fifteen  pounds  to 
me  due  from  her  husband  in  part  of  payment  for  y^  Mill,  it  proving 
a  hard  bargaine  to  him,  as  also  my  Second"''i)ivision  of  my  Wood 
Lott  Lying  next  or  neer  Redding,  the  Same  to  be  to  her  and  her  heires 
for  euer.  It°'  I  Giue  to  my  Daughter  Elisabeth  Goose  Twenty 
pounds  to  be  paid  her  within  a  Twelvemoneth  after  my  Decease  by 
my  Executo''s  the  Same  to  be  to  her  and  her  heires  for  euer.  Item  I 
do  giue  to  my  Grand  Daughter  Ann  Foster  fine  pounds  to  be  paid  by 
my  Executo''s  when  She  marrieth  prouided  She  marry  with  y''  Consent 
of  her  Father  and  Mother  and  her  Unckle  and  Aunt  Standly  other  wise 
She  Shall  haue  no  more  tlien  any  other  of  my  Grand  children  and  the 
remainder  of  y^  s*^  fine  pounds  to  be  equally  diuided  amongst  my 
grand  children  then  Surviveing.  Item  I  giue  to  all  the  rest  of  my 
Grand  Children  fine  Shillings  apeice  to  be  paid  by  my  Executors, 
to  Say,  to  those  that  are  Ten  years  of  age  within  a  Tweluemoneth  after 
ray  Decease,  and  to  the  rest  as  they  shall  arriue  at  Ten  years  oi  age. 
Item.  I  do  giue  to  my  Kinswoman  Elenor  Dauis  in  England*  &  her 
daughter  Mary  Davis  Twenty  Shillings  apeice  to  be  paid  within  a 
Tweluemoneth  after  ray  Decease.  And  as  for  my  Dwelling  house 
orchard  and  Land  adjoining  as  aforesaid  at  my  wifes  decease  I  do 
give  the  Same  to  my  two  Sonnes  Richard  Foster  and  John  Foster  to  be 
Equally  divided  detwixt  them  by  two  Indifferent  men  And  my  Son 
Richard  after  such  division  shall  haue  his  first  Choice,  &  y"  same 
to  be  to  them  &  theire  heires  for  euer.  Further  my  will  is  that  if 
my  s*^  Wife  shall  see  Cause  to  Marry  againe  she  shall  then  haue  but 
her  thirds  as  y®  Law  prouides,  and  y*  what  remaines  at  her  decease 
to  be  divided  amongst  my  Children,  to  say,  y^  thirds  of  y*^  Housing 
&  Lands  to  my  Said  Sons  Richard  and  John,  and  the  Moueables  to 
my  other  Children  then  Surviveing.  Further  my  will  is  that  if  any  of 
my  Children  shall  murmur  &  be  dissatisfied  with  my  disposeall  of 
my  Estate  by  this  ray  last  will  and  Testament,  that  he  or  they  so 
doeing  shall  lose  the  benefit  of  theire  Legacie  or  Legacies,  and  the 
same  shall  be  equally  diuided  to  and  amongst  those  other  of  my  Chil- 
dren that  rest  satisfied  herewith  this  my  Will.  It.  I  Do  Constitute 
and  appoint  my  beloued  Wife  Ann  Foster  and  my  Sonnes  Richard 
Foster  &  John  Foster  Joint  Executor's  of  this  my  last  Will  &  Testa- 
ment. In  Testimony  whereof  I  haue  hereunto  set  my  hand  &  affixed 
my  Seal:  May  the  7'*^  1696.  Annoq  RR'-^  Gulielmi  3tii  Angliic  &c. 
octauo. 

*  This  may  have  been  a  sufficient  address  at  the  time,  but  now  we  should  like  to  know 
moic. 


38  EARLY    WILLS. 

Signed  Scaled  published  &  declared  by  m"'  W'"  Foster 
to  be  his  Last  will  &  Testament  in  p''seuce  of  us. 

Sam"  Phipps  William  X  Foster     Seal 

Tiio.  Walter  hUumrk 

Mich"  IJrigdcn 

Proved  7  July  1698. 


Isaac  Winslow. 

• 

In  the  name  of  God  Amen  I  Isaackc  Winslow  of  New  England  in 
the  County  of  Midlesex  being  sicke  of  body  but  of  sound  and  per- 
fect Memory  praysed  be  to  God  for  it  and  calling  to  mind  the 
uncertaintie  of  this  Transietorie  Life  and  that  all  flesh  nmst  die  and 
yeald  vnto  death  when  it  pleaseth  God  to  Call  for  them  and  first 
being  penitent  for  my  sin  past  desireing  forgivenes  for  the  same  doe 
make  this  my  Last  will  and  TestiementRevociiing  and  Annulling  every 
will  and  wills  Testieraent  or  Testiements  heare  to  fore  by  me  made 
or  declared  and  this  to  be  Taken  for  my  Last  will  and  Testiement 
and  none  other. 

first  I  give  and  bequeth  unto  my  wife  Mary  Winslow  the  house  and 
Land  she  now  livetli  in  at  Charlestowne  in  New  England.  Item 
I  give  that  peece  of  Land  Joyning  to  it  to  my  daughter  Parnill 
Winslow.  Thirdly  I  give  my  part  of  the  Katch  Pellican  to  the 
Child  my  wife  went  with  all  when  I  Left  her  vpou  the  twelfe  day  of 
July  in  Case  it  Lives  if  not  I  give  it  to  my  Loveing  wife  aforesaid, 
in  witlness  whereof  I  haue  hear  vnto  sent  my  hand  and  sealle  dated 
at  Port  lioyall  in  Jamaica  this  twentie  sixt  day  of  August  In  the 
year  of  our  Lord  one  Thousand  sixe  hundred  and  scaventy. 

Sealled  signed  and  Isaack  Winslow     Seal. 

deliverd  in  the  presence  of 
John  Turell 
Thomas  P  Banfeeld. 

his  niarkc 

Proved  30  August  1G70. 


Mary  Long. 

In  the  Name  of  God,  Amen  this  fourteenth  day  of  April  Annoq 
Domini  One  Tliousund  Seven  hundred  and  Twenty  Annoq  RR. 
Ge(M-gii  Magnai  Brittaniie  &c  Sexto  I  Mary  Long  of  Charlestown 
in  the  Countie  of  Midd^  and  province  of  the  Massachusetts  bay  in 
New  England  (Widow)  being  weak  in  body,  but  of  Sound  and  perfect 
mind  and  memory  (thanks  be  to  God)  DO  make  Constitute,  ordaine, 
and  declare  this  my  last  will  and  testament  in  manner  and  form  fol- 
lowing herby  revoking  and  annulling  all  and  every  Testament  and 


EAKLY    WILLS.  39 

Testaments,  will,  and  wills  by  me  hortofore  made  or  declared  either 
by  word  or  writing  And  this  to  be  taken  only  for  my  last  will  and 
testament  and  none  other.  And  first  I  giue  and  Comitt  my  Soul 
unto  Almighty  God  my  Savior  &  Redeemer  in  whom  and  by  the 
merrits  of  Jesus  Christ  I  trust  and  beleive  Assuredly  to  be  Saved. 
And  my  Body  to  the  earth  to  be  buried  in  such  place  and  manner  as 
shall  be  found  to  be  my  desire  manifested  in  a  small  scrip  of  Paper 
inclosed  in  this  my  will.  And  now  for  the  setling  my  temporal! 
Estate  and  such  goods,  lands,  tennements  &c.  as  it  hath  pleased  God 
far  above  my  deserts  to  bestow  upon  mee  1  Do  give  order  and  dispose 
in  manner  and  form  following  (That  is  to  say)  first  I  will  that  all  those 
debts  and  dues  w'^^  I  owe  in  right  or  Concience  to  any  manner  of 
person  or  persons  whomsoever :  Shall  be  well  and  truly  Contented 
paid  or  ordained  to  be  paid  within  Convenient  time  after  my 
decease  by  my  Execu"  herafter  named. 

Item  I  DO  herby  Confirme  unto  my  son  Samuel  Long  his  heires 
and  Assignes  a  Dwelling  house  Comonly  Called  and  known  by  the 
name  of  the  great  Taverue  w*''  all  the  land  therto  belonging,  as 
Expressed  and  set  forth  in  a  deed  of  Gift  under  my  hand  and  seal 
besides  what  I  have  given  him  hertofore. 

Item  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  my  Daughter  Mary  Bradstreet 
her  heires  and  Assignes  forever  my  now  dwelling  house  with  the 
land  therto  adjoyning,  and  garden  plot  therto  belonging  with  all 
the  privilidges  and  Appurtanances  whatsoever  is  therunto  belong- 
ing. As  also  all  my  moveable  estate  plate  &c  of  what  name  soever 
&  apparrell  she  being  breaved  of  her  sight. 

Item  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  my  grandchildren  William 
Welstead  and  Katherine  Welstead  of  Boston  my  pasture  or  mowing 
ground  lying  between  the  land  of  Joseph  Lemon  and  Samuel 
Trumball,  to  them  and  their  heires  and  Assignes  forever  w'^'^  I 
vallue  at  Two  hundred  pounds. 

Item  I  DO  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  grand  Children  Richard 
Foster,  Isaac  Foster,  Parnal  Codman,  Ann  Foster,  Sarah  Foster  and 
Elizabeth  Foster,  Simon  Bradstreet,  Samuel  Bradstreet  and  Mary 
Bradstreet  Five  pounds  in  mony  each  of  them  :  to  be  paid  unto  them 
within  one  yeare  after  my  deceace  by  my  Execu""^  herafter  named. 

Item  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  my  four  great  grand  children : 
viz*  Samuel  Gary  and  Richard  Carey,  Sarah  Foster  and  John  Cod- 
man  each  of  them  forty  shillings  to  be  paid  as  aforesaid,  by  my 
Execu"  in  Twelve  months  after  my  deceace. 

All  the  residue  and  remainder  of  my  Estate  I  give  and  bequeath 
unto  my  said  son  Samuel  Long  And  my  daughters  Mary  Bradstreet 
Parnall  Foster  and  William  Welstead  and  to  their  heires  and  Assignes 
forever  to  be  Equally  divided  amongst  them.  And  further  my  mind 
and  will  is  And  I  Do  herby  ordaine  and  Appoint  my  said  son  Samuel 
Long  and  my  Daughters  Parnal  Foster  and  Mary  Bradstreet  & 
my  son  in  Law  William   Welstead  Exccuf'*  of  this  my  last  will 


40 


EARLY    WILLS. 


and  Testament  (IlavinsT  fully  sattisficd  and  discharged  the  obliiration 
that  my  husl)and  John  Lon«^  of  s"*  Charlcstown  decae''  ^vas  under  to 
my  s*"  Haiiirhter  Parnal  Foster  formerly  Wiiislow  :  the  same  oblii^ation 
Ijeintr  Exprest  in  my  s''  Husbands  last  will  by  me  as  sole  Executrix 
therof  to  be  discharged)  Finally  my  will  and  meaning  is  that  my 
peice  of  land  at  Moultens  point  (as  also  my  marish  at  y*"  mill)  be 
sold  by  my  Execu"  to  pay  the  Debts  and  Legacies  and  Funeral 
Charges ;  (the  overplus  to  be  Equally  divided  as  aforesaid)  In  Wit- 
ness wherof  I  have  herunto  set  my  hand  and  ??eal  declaring  the  al)0ve 
written  to  be  my  last  will  and  Testament  the  day  and  year  alxjve 
written. 

Signed,  Sealed  and  declared  ]\Iary  Long     Seal 

in  presence  of  us :  by  the  said 
Mary  Long  to  be  her  last  will 
and  Testament. 

the  words  enterlined  between  the  third 
and  fourth  lines  from  bottom  [as  also  my 
marish  at  y'^  mill]  before  signing. 

Eben  Austin 

Rob^  Ward  juii'" 

Ben  Dowse  jun"" 

Proved  2  February  1729. 


Edward  Wyer. 

In  the  name  of  God  amen :  I  Edwarde  Wiers  of  Cliarlestoune  in 
the  county  of  midelsex  in  the  masathusets  coliny  in  new  inglande 
being  weake  of  body,  but  of  sounde  disposeing  memory,  prais  be  given 
to  God  for  the  same  I  doe  make  this  my  laste  will  aud  testiment  in 
maner  and  forme  as  foloeth  that  is  to  say  first  and  principally  I 
resign  ray  soul  into  the  mircifull  bans  of  aflmighty  God  my  creator 
asuredly  hoping  through  the  mirits  of  my  blesed'Saviour  to  obtaine 
pardon  and  remision  of  all  my  Sins,  and  my  body  I  commit 
to  the  earth  whence  it  was  taken  to  be  decently  buried  by  the  descre- 
sion  of  my  executrix  heai-after  named,  and  as  for  my  worldly  goods 
and  estate  that  the  Lord  hath  lent  me  I  do  dispose  as  foloeth. 

imprimis  I  do  giue  and  bequeath  unto  my  dear  and  loving  wife  Eliza- 
beth Wiers  my  dwelling  house  and  all  my  lands  and  houshould 
goods  and  other  estate  whatsoever  for  hir  proper  cus  and  behofe 
during  hir  life,  and  I  do  giue  hir  full  power  to  sell  what  laud 
shee  shall  see  necesary  for  the  discharging  of  my  debts,  and  when 
my  wife  is  dead  and  decently  buried  my  will  is  that  my  estate 
bee  equaly  dovided  to  all  my  children  alike  and  my  will  is  that 
if  anny  of  my  children  dy  befor  they  receue  their  portion  and 
leue  a   child   or   children    behind    them   that   then  that  childe  or 


EAELY    WILLS.  41 

those  children  shall  haue  the  parte  of  my  estate  which  hce  or  shee 
should  haue  had  if  living,  finaly  I  make  my  wife  Elizabeth  Wiers 
soule  excekatrix  of  tiiis  my  laste  will  and  testiraente  revoking  all 
other  wills  by  me  heartofor  made.  in  witnes  whearof  I  liaue 
hearunto  set  my  hand  and  seal  this  twentie  and  seuenth  of  desem- 
ber  and  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  God  one  thousand  six  hundred  and 
ninety  and  two. 

signed  sealed  and  published  in  the  presence  of 

Saniuell  Adames  Edwarde  Wiers     Seal. 

Richard  Stratton  ^"^  ^^  "^'"''e 

Roberte  R  Scotte. 

Proved  11  July  1693. 


John  Coffin. 

In  the  Name  of  God  Amen.  I  John  Coffin  of  Newbury  in  the 
County  of  Essex  New  England  Yeoman.  Being  Sensible  of  My 
Mortality  but  Being  at  present  of  a  Sound  Disposing  mind  &  memory 
do  make  tdis  my  Last  will  &  Testament.  Committing  my  Soul  to 
God  through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  &  my  body  to  the  Dust  In 
hope  of  a  Joyful  Ressurrection  I  do  Dispose  of  my  worldly  Goods 
which  God  has  Given  me,  in  the  following  manner  (viz.) 

Imp""  I  Give  to  my  son  Nathaniel  Coffin  Besides  what  he  has 
already  had,  five  pounds  money  to  be  paid  him  by  my  Executors 
hereafter  Named  in  one  Year  after  my  Decease. 

Item.  I  Give  to  my  Daughter  Abigail  VVhittemore  five  pounds 
money  to  be  paid  her  in  two  Years  after  my  Decease,  &  also  one 
Case  of  Draws  &  one  feather  Bed  which  I  now  have  in  my  house,  to 
be  Delivered  her  at  my  Decease. 

Item  I  Give  to  My  Daughter  Apphia  Jones  five  pounds  money  to 
be  paid  her  in  two  Years  after  my  decease  &  also  one  feather  I3ed 
which  1  have  in  my  house  to  be  Delivered  her  at  my  wifcs  Decease. 

Item.  1  Giue  to  my  Sons  Peter  Coffin  &  William  Coffin  all  my 
Lands  in  the  Towne  of  Rumford,  (formerly  Called  Pennecook)  in 
the  province  of  Newharapshire  in  New  England,  in  Equal  halves  to 
the  Said  Peter  &  William  &  to  their  Heirs  &  Assigns  forever. 

Item.  I  Give  to  my  Son  Richard  Coffin  my  Sheep  pasture  which 
Land  I  bought  of  D*'  Somerby. 

Item  I  Give  to  my  Two  Sons  Richard  Coffin  &  Samuel  Coffin  all 
the  Rest  of  my  real  Estate  Lying  &  being  in  Newbury  &  Elswhere 
Not  before  Disposed  off  in  this  my  will  in  Equal  Halves  both  in 
Quantity  &  Quality  to  the  said  Richard  &  Samuel  &  to  their  Heirs 
&  Assigns  forever. 

And  I  do  Constitute  &  Appoint  my  Two  Sons  Richard  &  Samuel 
To  be  Sole  Excecutors  to  this  my  will     To  Pay  all  my  Just  Debts 


42  PEARLY    WILLS. 

&  Rocoivo  all  my  Just  Claims.  To  pay  all  the  Lf:'p;aoios  Given  in 
this  will  &  my  I'lineial  Charires  &  to  Enable  my  Son  Samuel  to  ful- 
fill his  trust  as  Executor  I  Give  him  my  Stock  of  Creatures  of  all 
Kinds  Soever  &  I  do  Ratifie  &  Confirm  this  to  be  my  Last  will  & 
Testament.  In  Witness  whereof  I  the  s''  John  Coffin  have  Set  to 
my  hand  &  Seal  this  Seventeenth  Day  of  March  in  tlie  Second  Year 
of  his  majestys  Reij^n  George  the  third  Kinu;  Ac  A.D.  1702  Siujned 
Sealed  Pronounced  &  Declared  by  John  Coffin  to  be  his  last  will  & 
Testament  in  presenc  of  us — 

Joseph  Coffin  John  Coffin     Seal. 

Stephen  Pettingell 

Joshua  Coffin. 

Proved  11  October  17G2. 


John  Hale. 

In  the  name  of  God  Amen  the  seventh  Day  of  April  1768.  I 
John  Hale  of  Newl)ury  in  the  County  of  Essex  and  Province  of 
The  Massachusets  Bay  in  New  England,  yeoman,  Being  weeke  in 
Bodey  but  of  Perfect  mind  and  memory  thanks  be  given  unto  God. 
Therefor  Calling  unto  mind  the  mortality  of  my  Bodey  and  Knowing 
that  it  is  appointed  for  all  men  once  to  Dye  do  make  and  ordain 
this  my  Last  will  and  Testament  that  is  to  say  Principally  and  first 
of  all  I  give  and  Recommend  my  soulc  into  the  Hands  of  God  that 
gave  it,  and  my  Bodey  I  Recommend  to  the  Earth  to  be  Buried  in 
decent  Christian  Burial  at  the  Discretion  of  my  Executor,  nothing 
Doubting  but  at  the  General  Resurrection  I  shall  Receve  the  same 
again  by  the  mighty  Power  of  God  and  as  touching  such  Worldly 
Estate  wherewith  it  hath  Pleased  God  to  Bless  mo  in  this  Life  I  give 
demise  and  dispose  of  the  same  in  the  following  manner  and  forme — 

Imprimise.  I  give  and  Bequeath  to  Mary  ray  dearly  Beloved 
Wife  all  my  Houcehold  goods  of  all  sorts  Excepting  such  things  as 
I  shall  hereafter  dispose  of  in  this  my  will  I  also  give  to  my  said 
Wife  the  uce  aud  Profile  of  one  third  Part  of  my  Real  Estate  as  the 
Law  Directs  and  if  she  Dye  my  widow  she  shall  have  a  Decent  burial 
by  my  Executer. 

Item.  I  give  to  my  Beloved  daughter  Patince  Coffin  three  Pounds 
money  Besids  what  I  have  alredey  given  her  in  full  of  her  Portion 
to  be  Paid  to  her  by  my  Executer  In  Two  years  after  ray  deceace. 

Item.  I  give  to  ray  beloved  daughter  Mehitabel  Clark  Twenty 
Shilings  to  be  paid  to  her  by  my  Executer  in  three  years  after  my 
Disccase  besids  what  I  have  heretofore  given  her  in  full  of  her  Por- 
tion. 

Item.  I  give  to  my  beloved  daughter  Elizebath  Swett  twenty 
Shillings  to  be  Paid  to  her  in  three  years  after  my  Disccace  by  my 


EARLY   WILLS.  43 

Executor  besides  what  I  have  heretofore  given  her  in  full  of  her 
Portion. 

Item.  I  give  to  my  Beloved  sun  Nathaniel  Hale  Three  Pound 
money  to  be  Paid  to  him  in  Three  years  after  my  Disceace  by  my 
Executor.  I  also  give  to  him  a  gun  besids  what  I  have  heretofore 
given  him  in  full  of  his  Portion. 

Item.  I  give  to  my  Beloved  sun  John  Hale  whome  I  Likewise 
Constitute  make  and  ordaine  my  soule  Executor  of  this  my  will  and 
to  his  Heirs  and  asigns  all  and  singuler  y*"  Lands  messuages  and 
Tenements  that  I  have  in  Newbury  or  Elcewhere  I  also  give  to  my 
said  sun  John  all  my  Personal  Estate  that  I  have  not  alredey  Dis- 
posed of  In  this  my  Will.  I  also  give  him  all  the  Just  debts  that  are 
owing  to  me  his  Paying  all  the  Just  Debts  that  I  owe  the  Legeses 
and  my  funeral  Charges  By  him  freely  to  be  Posessed  and  Enjoyed 
and  I  Do  hereby  utterly  disallow  Revoke  and  Disannul  all  and  Every 
other  former  Testament  wills  Legeacies  and  Bequests  and  Executors 
by  me  in  any  wais  before  named  Willed  and  Bequeathed  Rattifying 
and  Confirming  this  and  no  other  to  be  my  Last  will  and  Testament 
in  witnes  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal  the  Day  and 
year  above  written. 

John  Hale     Seal 

Signed  Sealed  Published 
Pronounced   and    declared 
by  the  said  John  Hale 
as  his  Last  will  and 
Testament  in  the  Presence 
of  us  the  subscribers. 

Simeon  Plumer 

John  Dole  jur 

Joseph  Willet 

Proved  28  January  177L 


Richard  Foster. 

In  the  Name  of  God  Amen  I  Richard  Foster  of  Charlestown  in 
the  County  of  Middlesex  in  His  Majesty's  Province  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Bay  in  New  England  Esq""  being  Weak  in  Body  yet  of  per- 
fect memory,  Thanks  be  to  God  therefor,  Calling  to  mind  the  mortality 
■of  my  Body,  and  Knowing  that  it's  appointed  for  all  men  once  to  Dy, 
Do  make  and  Ordain  This  my  last  Will  and  Testament,  Principaly 
I  Recommend  my  Soul  into  the  hands  of  God  that  gave  it  hoping  for 
Mercy  thro'  the  Merits  of  my  dear  Redeemer,  and  my  Body  I  Com- 
mit to  the  Dust  to  be  buried  with  a  Decent  and  Christian  Burial  (at 
the  discretion  of  my  Executors  hereafter  named)  Firmly  believing 
that  at  the  General  Resurection  I  shall  receive  the  same  again  by 


44  EARLY   WILLS. 

the  Mighty  power  of  God,  and  as  Touching  such  worldly  goods  and 
Estate  as  God  hath  pleased  in  his  Providence  to  bless  me  withall  I 
demise  give  and  dispose  of  in  the  following  manner. 

Imp""  My  Will  is  that  all  my  Just  Debts  and  Funeral  Charges  be 
paid  and  discharged  by  my  Executors  hereafter  named. 

Item.  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Beloved  Wife  Parnel  (after 
my  Just  Debts  and  Funeral  Charges  are  paid)  all  my  Estate  both 
Real  and  Personal  during  her  natural  life,  for  her  maintenance  with 
liberty  to  sell  or  dispose  of  what  part  of  my  personal  Estate  she 
shall  think  fit,  and  also  full  power  to  sell  part  of  my  Real  Estate  as 
she  Think  necessary  for  the  use  aforementioned,  what  of  my  Estate 
shall  remain  after  my  wifes  Decease,  her  Debts  and  funeral  Charges 
paid,  and  after  its  being  apprised  as  near  as  may  be  by  men  upon 
Oath  to  the  true  Value  thereof,  I  Give  and  dispose  of  the  same  in 
the  following  manner. 

Item.  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  son  Richard  Foster  the  sum 
of  Four  hundred  pounds. 

Item.  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  son  Isaac  the  sum  of  Four 
hundred  pounds. 

Item.  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Daughter  Parnel  Codman 
the  sura  of  Forty  five  pounds. 

Item.  I  Give  and  Bequeatii  unto  my  Daughter  Ann  Perkins  the 
sum  of  Thirty  nine  pounds. 

Item.  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Daughter  Sarah  Calef  the 
sum  of  Thirty  two  pounds. 

Item.  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Daughter  Elizabeth  McDaniel 
the  sum  of  Thirty  pounds. 

Item.  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  Grandsons  Samuel  and 
Richard  Cary  the  sum  of  Thirteen  pounds  to  be  Equaly  divided  be- 
twixt them,  and  what  Remains  of  my  Estate  beside  the  several  sums 
before  given  and  Bequeathed  and  paid  according  to  the  apprisment 
shall  be  Divided  into  seven  equal  parts  To  each  child  one  seventh 
part,  and  to  my  two  Grandchildren  aforementioned  one  seventh  part 
Equaly  between  them,  But  if  my  Estate  should  fall  short  of  paying 
what  I  now  give.  Then  Each  child  and  Grand  child  shall  abate  in 
proportion  to  what  I  now  give  and  also  to  what  my  Daughters  have 
liad  of  nie  at  and  after  their  Marriage  as  money  then  went,  an  ac- 
count thereof  is  Entered  on  my  Book,  and  at  the  foot  signed  by  me. 

Item.  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  sons  Richard  and  Isaac 
Equaly  the  Property  of  my  Pew  in  the  Meeting  house  reserving  to 
my  Daughters  the  liberty  and  priviledge  of  sitting  therein  during* 
their  lives. 

Furthermore  My  Will  and  meaning  is  That  my  two  sons  viz. 
Richard  and  Isaac  have  the  remaining  part  of  all  my  Real  Estate 
after  my  wifes  decease  as  it  is  apprised  as  aforesaid  they  paying 
my  other  Children  and  Grand  children  their  proportionable  part  as 
aforementioned 


EARLY    WILLS.  45 

And  I  do  hereby  appoint  my  Beloved  Wife  Parnel  and  my  two 
sons  Richard  and  Isaac  to  be  Executors  of  this  my  last  Will  and 
Testament,  and  I  do  hereby  disallow  revoke  and  Disanull  all  and 
every  other  former  Will  or  Testament,  Legacies  or  Bequeasts  by  me 
heretofore  made  or  reputed  to  be  made,  Ratifying  and  confirming 
this  and  no  other  to  be  my  last  Will  and  Testament,  In  Witness 
whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  [seal]  this  Twenty  second 
Day  of  January  Ann  Domini  1735/6  In  the  Ninth  year  of  His 
Majestys  Reign. 

RiCH'^  Foster.     Seal. 

Signed  Sealed  Published  Pronounced 
and  Declared  by  the  said  Richard 
Foster  to  be  his  Last  will  and  Testament 
in  the  presence  of  us  who  subscribed 
our  names  in  presence  of  said  Testator. 
Matthew  Johnson 
Joseph  Austin  Jun"" 
Joseph  Phillips 

Proved  14  January  1745. 


William  Wyer. 

In  the  Name  of  God  Amen,  I  William  Wyer  of  Charlestown  in 
the  County  of  Middlesex  in  New  England  Esq  being  in  good  Health 
and  of  sound  mind  and  memory  (blessed  be  God  therefor)  But 
mindful  of  my  mortallity  and  the  uncertainty  of  Life,  Do  make  and 
ordain  this  my  last  Will  and  Testament  in  manner  following,  that  is 
to  say,  principally  and  first  of  all  I  recommend  my  Soul  to  God,  thro' 
the  merits  &  mediation  of  Christ  my  only  Redeemer,  in  Hopes  of 
Eternal  Life  thro'  Him,  and  my  Body  to  the  Earth  to  be  buried  in  a 
Decent  Christian  manner  at  the  Discretion  of  my  Executors  hereafter 
named ;  And  as  touching  such  worldly  Estate  as  it  hath  pleased  God 
to  bless  me  with  in  this  Life  I  give  &  dispose  thereof  as  follows, 
that  is  to  say. 

Imp'"''  I  will  that  my  just  Debts  &  Funeral  Charges  be  duly  paid 
by  my  Executors 

Item  I  give  and  devise  to  my  son  Edward  Wyer  and  to  his  Heirs 
and  Assigns  my  mansion  House,  where  I  now  dwell,  with  all  the 
Buildings,  out  houses.  Yards,  Gardens  and  Land  thereto  adjoyning 
and  belonging;  and  also  my  Pasture  or  Lot  of  Land  at  Moreton's 
Point.  I  also  give  and  bequeath  to  my  son  Edward  all  my  House- 
hold Furniture  of  what  kind  soever,  and  my  three  negro  men  and 
my  negro  woman. 

Item  I  give  and  devise  to  my  son  David  Wyer  and  to  his  Heirs 
and  Assigns  the  House  and  Land  which  I  bought  of  Cookery  with 
5 


46  EARLY    WILLS. 

the  Shop  thereon,  and  the  Pasture  or  Lot  of  Land  wliich  I  bought 
of  John  Rand  and  the  Heirs  of  Nathaniel  Dowse. 

Item  I  give  and  devise  to  my  Grandson  William  Wyer  son  of  my 
son  Thomas  Wyer  Dec  the  Pasture  or  Lot  of  Land  which  I  bought 
of  Cap* :  John  Rouse  and  to  the  Heirs  of  his  Body  lawfully  begotten, 
and  for  default  of  such  Issue,  then  the  same  to  be  &  remain  to  and 
among  all  my  Children  to  be  equally  divided  between  them.  I  also 
give  and  bequeath  to  my  said  Grandson  William  the  Sum  of  one 
thousand  five  hundred  Pounds  in  old  Tenor  Bills  of  Credit  to  be 
paid  to  him  by  my  Executors  upon  his  Arrival  at  the  full  age  of 
twenty  one  years. 

Item  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  Daughter  Eleanor  Foster  the 
sum  of  three  thousand  five  hundred  Pounds  in  Bills  of  Credit  of  the 
old  Tenor  to  be  paid  to  her  by  my  Executors,  the  one  half  thereof 
within  one  year  and  the  Remainder  within  two  years  next  after  my 
Decease. 

Item  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  Grand  Daughter  Elizabeth  Wyer, 
Daughter  of  my  son  Edward  Wyer  the  sum  of  two  hundred  Pounds 
in  Bills  of  Credit  of  the  old  Tenor  to  be  paid  to  her  by  my  Execu- 
tors within  two  years  after  my  Decease,  I  also  give  to  her  my 
Negro  Girl  Dinah. 

Item  I  also  give  and  bequeath  to  all  and  every  the  Rest  of  my 
Grand  Children,  not  herein  before  mentioned,  that  shall  be  living 
at  the  Time  of  my  Decease  the  sum  of  one  hundred  Pounds  in  old 
Tenor  Bills  of  Credit  to  each  and  every  of  them  to  be  paid  to  them 
by  my  Executors  within  two  years  next  after  my  Decease. 

Item  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  Grandson  William  Foster  my 
Negro  Boy  Pompy. 

Item  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  Grandson  Thomas  Wyer  my 
Negro  Boy  Ephraim. 

Item  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  Kinswoman  Katharine  Welch  the 
sum  of  two  hundred  Pounds  in  old  Tenor  Bills  of  Credit  to  be  paid 
to  her  by  my  Executors  the  one  half  thereof  within  one  year,  and  the 
other  half  within  two  years  next  after  my  Decease.  I  also  give  to 
the  s''  Katharine  my  Negro  Boy  Coflfy. 

Item  I  give  and  devise  to  my  two  sons  Edward  and  David  afore- 
named and  to  their  Heirs  &  Assigns  my  Still-House  wuth  all  the 
Land  &  Wharffe  thereto  adjoyning,  the  Warehouse,  Cooper's  shop 
&  Buildings  thereon,  and  also  the  Stills  with  the  Appurtenances 
and  Implements  of  what  kind  or  nature  soever  belonging  thereto, 
with  all  my  Stock  appertaining  to  the  Still  House  at  the  time  of  my 
Decease,  to  be  equally  divided  between  them,  they  paying  &  dis- 
charging the  several  Legacies  before  given  &  bequeathed  in  this  my 
Will,  at  the  times  limited  for  payment  of  them.  And  as  to  the  Rest 
of  my  Estate,  which  I  shall  leave  at  my  Decease  (not  heretofore  be- 
queathed) in  Chatties,  Cash,  Bonds,  Notes  &  Book  Debts,  and  other 
Estate  whether  Real  or  Personal  I  give  and  bequeath  the  same  to 


EARLY  WILLS.  47 

my  aforesaid  two  sons  Edward  Wyer  and  David  Wyer  to  be  equally 
divided  between  them,  to  enable  them  to  pay  my  Debts,  funeral 
Charges,  and  the  Legacies  aforesaid. 

And  I  do  hereby  make  constitute  and  ordain  my  two  sons  Edward 
&  David  Wyer  Executors  of  this   my  last   Will   and   Testament, 
hereby  revoking   and    disannulling  all  former  Wills,  Testaments, 
Bequests  and  Executors  heretofore  by  me  named  willed  or  bequeathed, 
ratifying  and  confirming  this  &  no  other  to  be  my  last  Will  & 
Testament  In  Witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  Hand  &  seal 
this  fifteenth  Day  of  January  in  the  twenty  first  year  of  His  Majesty's 
Reign  Annoq  Domini  one  Thousand  Seven  hundred  &  forty  seven. 
Signed  sealed  published 
pronounced  &  declared  by 
the  afores''  William  Wyer  Esq 
to  be  his  last  Will  and  Tes- 
tament in  the  presence  of 

us  the  Subscribers  William  Wyer      Seal. 

Joseph  Austin 
Edward  Mirick 
Richard  D  evens 

I  the  aforenamed  William  Wyer  do  by  this  Codicil  to  my  last 
Will  &  Testament  aforewritten  ratify  and  confirm  the  same  with 
this  Alteration  or  Addition  only,  That  is  to  say,  I  do  hereby  will 
give  and  bequeath  to  my  Daughter  Eleanor  Foster  the  sum  of  five 
hundred  Pounds  in  Bills  of  Credit  of  the  old  Tenor  to  be  paid  to  her 
by  my  Executors,  as  an  Addition  to  the  Legacy  of  three  thousand 
five  hundred  Pounds  in  the  like  Bills  given  her  in  my  said  Will,  and 
to  be  paid  in  the  like  manner,  as  is  order'd  for  the  Payment  of  that 
Legacy. 

I  do  also  hereby  give  &  Bequeath  to  my  Grandson  William  Wyer 
aforenamed  in  my  s*^  Will  the  sum  of  five  hundred  Pounds  in  the 
Bills  aforementioned  as  an  Addition  to  the  Legacy  of  one  thousand 
five  hundred  Pounds  in  s*^  Bills  given  to  him  in  my  said  Will,  and 
to  be  paid  in  the  like  manner  as  is  order'd  for  the  Payment  of  that 
Legacy.  Li  Witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  &  Seal 
this  Ninth  Day  of  June  in  the  twenty  first  year  of  His  Majesty's 
Reign  Annoq  Dom:  1748. 

Signed  sealed  published  Pronounced 
&  Declared  by  the  afores'^  William 

Wyer  as  a  Codicil  to  &  part  of  his 
last  Will  &  Testament  in  presence  of  us 

(the  Day  &  year  last  mentioned.) 

Edward  Mirick  William  Wyer      Seal. 

Charles  Bowers 
Thad  Mason. 


48  EARLY    WILLS. 

Be  it  known  to  all  men  by  these  Presents  that  Whereas  I  William 
Wyer  of  Charlestown  in  the  County  of  Middlesex  Esq  have  made  and 
declai'ed  my  last  Will  &  Testament  in  Writiii<ij  bearing  Date  the 
fifteenth  Day  of  January  Anno  Domini  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  forty  seven,  as  also  a  Codicil  to  the  said  Will  on  the  same  sheet 
of  Paper  written  bearing  Date  the  ninth  Day  of  June  Anno  Domini 
Seventeen  hundred  and  forty  eight.  I  the  said  William  Wyer  do 
by  this  present  further  Codicil  ratify  and  confirm  my  said  last  Will 
&  Testament,  and  the  said  former  Codicil ;  and  whereas  in  &  by  my 
said  last  Will  &  Testament  I  gave  and  bequeathed  unto  my  Daughter 
Eleanor  Foster  the  sum  of  three  thousand  five  hundred  Pounds  in 
old  Tenor  Bills  of  Credit,  and  in  the  said  Codicil  (as  an  addition 
thereto)  I  gave  and  bequeathed  unto  my  said  Daughter  the  sum  of 
five  hundred  Pounds  in  the  same  Bills ;  I  do  hereby  further  give 
and  bequeath  unto  my  said  Daughter  Eleanor  Foster  the  further  sum 
of  five  hundred  Pounds  in  the  Bills  aforesaid,  to  be  paid  unto  her  by 
ray  Executors  in  the  manner  and  at  the  Time  limited  for  the  Pay- 
ment of  the  afores'*  Bequests  to  her. 

And  Whereas  in  &  by  my  said  Will,  I  gave  and  bequeathed  unto 
my  son  Edward  Wyer  (among  other  Things)  my  three  negro  men 
and  my  negro  woman ;  my  mind  and  Will  now  is,  and  I  do  hereby 
give  and  bequeath  one  of  my  said  Negro  men  Viz^  my  Negro  man 
named  Quash  unto  my  son  David  Wyer  &  to  his  Heirs  and  Assigns. 

And  1  do  hereby  give  and  bequeath  unto  the  Rev*^  M""  Hull  Abbot, 
and  to  the  Rev^  Mr  Thomas  Prentice  the  Pastors  of  the  Church  of 
the  Town  of  Charlestown  the  Sum  of  twenty  Pounds  apeice  in  old 
Tenor  Bills  of  Credit  to  be  paid  unto  them  by  my  Execu""'  as  soon 
as  conveniently  may  be  after  my  Decease. 

And  my  Will  &  meaning  is  that  this  Codicil  as  well  as  the  former 
aforementioned  be,  and  be  adjudged  to  be  part  &  parcel  of  my  said 
last  Will  &  Testament,  and  that  all  Things  herein  mentioned  &  con- 
tained be  faithfully  &  truly  performed,  and  as  fully  &  amply  in  every 
respect,  as  if  the  same  was  so  declared  &  set  down  in  my  last  Will 
&  Testament.  Witness  my  hand  &  seal  this  twenty  ninth  Day  of 
December  in  the  twenty  second  year  of  His  Majesty's  Reign  Aunoq 
Domini  1748. 

Signed  sealed  published 
pronounced  &  declared  by  the 

afores''  William  Wyer  as  a 
further  Codicil  &  part  of  his 

last  Will  &  Testament  in 

presence  of  us  William  Wybr      Seal. 

Edward  Mirick 
Richard  Devens 
Thad  Mason. 

Proved  20  February  1749. 


NOTES. 


The  Coffin  Family.^ 

The  first  of  the  name,  from  whom  a  direct  descent  can  be  traced, 
is  Nicholas  Coffin  of  Brixton,t  Devonshire,  England.  He  died 
there  in  1613,  and  in  his  will,:}:  written  12  September  and  proved  3 
November  of  that  year,  he  mentioned  his  wife  Joan,  his  sons  Peter, 
Tristram,  Nicholas  and  John,  his  daughter  Anne,  and  his  grand- 
daughter Joan  Coffin.  He  had  a  brother  Tristram  Coffin  of  Brixton, 
who  died  in  1601  or  1602,  probably  childless. 

2.  H.  Peter  Coffin,  eldest  son  of  Nicholas,  married  Joan 
Thember  or  Thumber;  he  died  at  Brixton  in  1628,  and  in  his  will, 
written  21  December,  1627,  proved  13  March,  1628,  mentioned  his 
six  children;  his  widow  came  to  New  England  in  1642  with  three 
of  her  children,  and  died  at  Boston,  30  May,  1661.  Children,  pro- 
bably born  at  Brixton : 

i.  Tristram,  b.  about  1605.  3 

ii.  John, 
iii.  Joan, 
iv.  Deborah. 

V.  Eunice,  b. ;  m.  William  Butler  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  who  d. 

in  1648. 

vi.  Mary,  b. ;    m.  Alexander  Adams  of  Boston  and  Dorchester, 

who  d.  15  January,  1678. 

8.  HI.  Tristram  Coffin,  eldest  son  of  Peter,  born  about  1605; 
married  Dionis,  daughter  of  Robert  Stevens  of  Brixton ;    came   to 

*  See  New  England  Historical  and  Genealogical  Register,  XXIV. 

t  The  early  register  of  Brixton  has  unfortunately  disappeared,  and  the  oldest  volume 
dates  only  from  1668. 

X  No  wills  of  the  Deanery  of  Plympton  can  now  be  found  earlier  than  1600 ;  but  the 
index  to  earlier  wills  still  exists,  and  on  it  are  many  of  Coffins  of  Brixton  and  Plympton 
St.  Mary,  a  ncighborini?  parish,  the  earliest  being  of  1564.  Nicholas  was  perhaps  son  of 
John  Coflan,  senior,  of  Brixton,  who  died  in  1575. 


50  EARLY   WILLS. 

New  England  in  1642,  and  after  a  short  rest  at  Salisbury  settled 
at  Haverliill  late  in  that  year;  in  1647  he  moved  to  Newbury, 
where  he  was  authorized  to  keep  an  "ordinary"  and  to  "retaylc  wine, 
paying  according  to  order,"  and  also  to  run  a  ferry  on  the  Merrimack 
between  Newbury  and  Salisbury;  al)Out  1654  he  moved  again  to 
Salisliury,  and  in  1660  finally  settled  with  part  of  his  family  on  the 
island  of  Nantucket,  of  which  he  was  commissioned  Chief  Magistrate 
by  Gov.  Lovelace  of  New  York  in  1671 ;  he  died  there  2  October, 
1681.     Children: 

i.  Peter,  b.  at  Brixton  about  1630;  m.  Abigail,  daughter  of  Edward 
Starbuck  of  Dover,  N.  H.,  by  whom  he  had  several  children  ;  was 
Freeman  23  May,  16G6;  lived  at  Dover,  and  was  Deputy  1672, 
3,  9  ;  moved  to  Exeter,  was  Chief  Justice  of  the  Superior  Court 
of  the  Province  of  New  Hampshire,  and  Councillor  1692-1714; 
d.  at  Exeter  21  March,  1715,  aged  84. 

ii.  Tristram,  b.  at  Brixton  about  1032.  4 

iii.  Elizabeth,  b.  at  Brixton ;    m.  at  Newbury  13  November, 

1651,  Stephen  Greenleaf,  as  told  later;    d.  at  Newbury  19  No- 
vember, 1678  ;  he  d.  31  October,  1690. 

iv.  John,  b.  at  Brixton ;  d.  at  Haverhill  30  October,  1642. 

v.  James,  b.  at  Brixton(?)  12  August,  1610;  m.  3  December,  1663, 
Mary,  daughter  of  John  Severance  of  Salisbury,  by  whom  he  had 
several  children;  lived  at  Nantucket,  and  was  Chief  Justice  of  the 
Court  of  Common  Pleas;  d.  28  July,  1720. 

vi.  Deborah,  b.  at  Haverhill  15  November,  1642;  d.  8  December,  1642. 
vii.  Mary,  b.  at  Haverhill  20   February,  1645  ;    m.  Nathaniel  Starbuck 

of  Nantucket;  d.  13  September,  1717;  he  d.  6  June,  1719. 
viii.  John,  b.  at  Haverhill(?)  Newbury  13  October,  1647;   m.  Deborah, 
(laugliter  of  Joseph  Austin,  by  whom   he  had  several  children; 
lived  at  Nantucket;    d.  at  Edgartowu  5  September  1711;    she  d. 
4  February,  1718. 

ix.  Stephen,  b.  at  Newbury  11  May,  1652;  m.  Mary,  daughter  of 
George  Bunker  of  Nantucket,  by  whom  he  had  several  children; 
d.  18  May,  1734;  she  d.  in  1724. 

4.  IV.  Tristram  Coffin,  second  son  of  Tristram,  born  probably 
at  Brixton  about  1632;  married  at  Newbury  2  March,  1653,  Judith, 
daughter  of  Edmund  Greenleaf,  widow  of  Henry  Somerby;  was  in 
1666  a  signer  of  the  documcHt,  which  Dr.  Palfrey  unjustly,  in  my 
opinion,  calls  the  "unpatriotic  petition";  was  Freeman  of  the  Colony 
of  Massachusetts  29  April,  1668,  and  Lieutenant  of  the  second  com- 
pany of  Newbury  16  Alay,  1683;  was  Representative  to  the  General 
Court  1695,  1700,  1,  2,  and  was  Deacon  of  the  Church  of  Newbury 
twenty  years;  he  died  4  February,  1704,  aged  71;  she  died  15 
Decendjer,  1705.  Ilis  will  is  printed  page  11.  Children,  born  at 
Newbury : 

i.  Judith,  b.  4  December,  1653;  m.  19  November,  1674,  John  San- 
born of  Hampton,  N.  II.;  he  d.  10  November,  1723. 

ii.  Deborah,  b.  10  November,  1655;  m.  31  October,  1677,  Joseph 
Knight  of  Newbury;  he  d.  29  January,  1723. 


EARLY   WILLS.  51 

iii.  Mary,  b.  12  November,  1657;    m.  31  October,  1677,  Joseph  Little 

of  Newbury;  d.  28  November,  1725;  he  d.  27  January,  1737. 
iv.  James,  b.  22  April,  1659  ;  m.  16  November,  1685,  Florence,  daughter 

of  Horace  Hook  of  Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  several  children ; 

d.  4  March,  1736 ;  she  d.  6  June,  1712. 
V.  John,  b.  8  September,  1660;  d.  13  May,  1677. 
vi.  Lydia,  b.  22  April,  1662;    m.  Moses  Little  of  Newbury;    he  d.   8 

March,  1691,  and  she  m.  secondly,  18-March,  1695,  John  Pike 

of  Newbury;  he  d.  13  August,  1714. 
vii.  Enoch,  bv  21  January,  1664;  d.  12  November,  1675. 
viii.  Stephen,  b.  18  August,  1665;  m.  8  October,  1685,  Sarah,  daughter 

of  John  Atkinson  of  Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  several  children ; 

d.  31  August,  1725;  she  d.  20  January,  1725. 
ix.  Peter,  b.  27  July,  1667;   m.  Apphia,  daughter  of  Richard  Dole  of 

Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  several  children;  lived  at  Gloucester; 

d.  at  Newbury  19  January,  1747;  she  d.  14  April,  1725. 
X.  Nathaniel,  b.  26  March,  1669.  5 

5.  V.  Nathaniel  Coffin,  youngest  child  of  Tristram,  born  at 
Newbury  26  March,  1669  ;  married  29  March,  1693,  Sarah,  daughter 
of  Samuel  Brocklebank  of  Rowley,  widow  of  Henry  Dole  of  New- 
bury; was  Deacon  of  the  Church  of  Newbury,  and  in  1711  was 
chosen  Town  Clerk;  was  Representative  to  the  General  Court  1719, 
20, '1 ;  was  a  Councillor  of  the  Province  1730,  and  a  special  Justice 
of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  Essex  1734 ;  he  died  20  February, 
1749  ;  she  died  20  April,  1750.     Children,  born  at  Newbury  : 

i.  John,  b.  1  January,  1694.  6 

ii.  Enoch,  b.  7  February,  1696;  Harvard  College,  1714,  Rev.;  m.  5 
January,  1716,  Blehitable  Moody,  by  whom  he  had  four  children, 
who  all  d.  young;  d.  7  August,  1728  ;  she  d.  29  December,  1763. 

iii.  Apphia,  b.  9  June,  1698;  d  8  October,  1715. 

iv.  Brocklebank  Samuel,  b.  24  August,  1700;    Harvard  College  1718, 

Rev.;  d.  14  June,  1727. 
V.  Joseph,  b.  30  December,  1702;  m.  15  July,  1725,  Margaret,  daugh- 
ter of  Benjamin  Morse  of  Newbury,  by  whom  he   had  several 
children;*  d.  12  September,  1773;  she  d.  9  February,  1775. 

vi.  Jane.  b.  5  August,  1705;  m.  2  November,  1729,  John  Webster  of 
Newbury;  d.  19  May,  1783. 

vii.  Edmund,  b.  19  March,  1708;  m.  at  Kittery  15  November,  1732, 
Shuah  Bartlett,  by  whom  he  had  several  children;  d.  29  January, 
1789. 
viii.  Moses,  b.  2  June,  1711;  m.  28  November,  1732,  Anna,  daughter  of 
William  Dole  of  Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  several  children ;  d. 
22  February,  1793. 

6.  VI.  John  Coffin,  eldest  son  of  Nathaniel,  born  at  Newbury 
1  January,  1694;  married  22  April,  1713,  Judith,  daughter  of 
Edmund  Greenleaf  of  Newbury;    died  30  September,  1762;    she 

*  The  Rev.  Paul  Coffin,  D.  D..  of  Buxton,  Me.,  was  a  son  ;  and  among  tlicii-  descendants 
were  the  Rev.  Charles  Coffin,  D.D.,  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Coffin,  Robert  S.  Coffin  the  self- 
styled  Boston  Bard,  and  Joshua  Coffin  the  antiquary  and  historian  of  Newbury. 


52  EARLY   WILLS. 

died  10  February,  1772.     His  will  is  printed  page  41.     Children, 
born  at  Newbury: 

i.  Richard,  b.  22  November,  1713;    m.  30  November,  1738,  Abigail, 
dauirliter  of  Joseph  Hale  of  Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  several 
cliildren  ;  d.  9  March,  1773;  she  d.  19  August,  1799. 
ii.  Nathaniel,  b.  7  September,  171G.  7 

iii.  Abigail,  b.  8  November,  1718;    m.  2  February,  1744,  Rev.  Aaroa 
Whittemore  of  Pembroke,  N.  H.;    d.  11   May,  1803;    he  d.  16 
November,  17G7. 
iv.  Mary,  b.  23  July,  1720;  d.  25  November,  1737. 
V.  Peter,  b.  11  May,  1722;    m.  6  July,  1769,  Rebecca  Haselton  of 
Chester,   N.  II.,  by  whom  he  had  several  children  ;    d.  at  Bosca- 
wen,  N.  H.,  15  December,  1789. 
vi.  Appliia,  b.  13  April,  1724;    m.   8   May,   1746,   Ichabod   Jones  of 

Falmouth, 
vii.  William,  b.  3  July,  1726;  m.  28  March,  1754,  Sarah  Haselton  of 
Chester,  N.  H.,  by  whom  he  had  several  children ;  d.  at  Concord, 
N.  H.,  18  October,  1815  ;  she  d.  26  May,  1829. 
viii.  Samuel,  b.  23  November,  1728;  m.  27  May,  1752,  Anna  Pettingill, 
by  whom  he  had  one  son:  he  m.  secondly  17  June,  1777,  Lydia 
Bartlett;  d.  29  June,  1818;  shed.  29  August,  1821. 

ix.  ,  sou,  b.  ;  d.  infant. 

X.  Judith,  b.  3  September,  1732;  d.  2  November,  1737. 
xi.  Sarah,  b.  26  September,  1735  ;  d.  1  November,  1737. 

7.  VII.  Nathaniel  Coffin,  second  son  of  John,  born  at  New- 
bury 7  September,  1716;  married  1  March,  1739,  Patience,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Hale  of  Newbury;  settled  in  1738  at  Falmouth,  now 
Portland,  Me.,  as  a  physician,  and  during  his  whole  life  enjoyed  a 
high  reputation  and  a  large  practice;  died  12  January,  1766;*  she 
died  31  January,  1772.  A  short  notice  of  him  may  be  read  in  the 
"American  Medical  Biography,"  by  James  Thacher,  M.D.  Chil- 
dren, born  at  Falmouth : 

i.  Nathaniel,  b.  20  December,  1739  ;  d.  20  December,  1739. 
ii.   Sarah,  b.  21  July,  1741 ;  d.  in  1826. 

iii.  Nathaniel,  b.  20  April,  1744.  8 

iv.  Dorcas,  b.  15  September,  1746;  d.  27  June,  1749. 
V.  Jeremiah  Powell,  b.  23  October,  1748. 

vi.  Dorcas,  b.  20  October,  1751  :  m.  27  November,  1769,  Thomas  Col- 
son  of  Bristol,  England;  d.  in  1801. 
vii.  Francis,  b.  28  August,  1753;  Consul  of  the  United  States  at  Dun- 
kirk, France,  where  he  d.  14  May,  1795. 
viii.  Mary,  b.  6  October,  1756;  m.  Samuel  Juie  Marchant,  who  d.,  and 
she  m.  secondly,  in  1796,  Charles  Joseph  Harford  of  Stapleton, 
Gloucestershire,  P^nglaud  ;  d.  in  1798. 

8.  VIII.     Nathaniel  Coffin,  eldest  son  of  Nathaniel,  born  at 

*  We  hear  from  Falmouth,  Casco  Bay,  that  on  Lord's  Day  the  12th  Instant,  departed 
this  Life,  of  a  Paralytic  Disorder  Dr.  Nathaniel  Coffin,  of  tliat  Place,  Physician,  in  tlie  50th 
Year  of  his  Age.— As  his  Skill  in  Physic  and  Chiriirgcry  had  gain'd  liiin  a  great  Acquaint- 
ance, so  his  Death  is  esteem'd  a  great  Loss  in  and  about  that  Part  of  the  World. — Boston 
Gazette,  and  County  Journal,  27  January,  1766. 


EARLY   AVILLS.  53 

Falmouth  20  April,  1744;  married  at  Charlestown  30  October, 
1769,  Eleanor,  dauo;hter  of  Isaac  Foster  of  Charlestown  ;  was  a  very 
distinojuished  physician  of  Portland ;  received  the  honorary  degree 
of  M.D.  from  Bowdoin  College,  1821;  died  18  October,  1826;  she 
died  8  September,  1822.  A  most  favorable  notice  of  him  was  printed 
in  the  Boston  Medical  Intelligencer,  and  a  memoir  of  his  life,  with 
portrait,  may  be  seen  in  the  book  named  in  connection  with  his 
father.     Children,  born  at  Portland  : 

i.  Harriot,  b.  in  August,  1770;  d.  15  January,  1774. 
ii.  Mary  Foster,  b.  21  April,  1772;   m.  4  July,  1792,  Eben  Mayo  of 

Portland;  d.  4  February,  1793;  he  d.  12  September,  1840. 
iii.  Susanna,  b.  4  June,  1773;    m.   29  October,  1791,  William  Codman 

of  Boston;  d.  21  April,  1854;  he  d.  in  New  York,  8  December, 

1816. 
iv.  Harriot,  b.  14  May,  1775.  9 

V.  AVilliam  Foster,  b.  4  February,  1777  ;  d.  5  January,  1788. 
vi.  Eleanor,  b.  22  July,  1779;  m.  12  December,  1801,  John  Derby  of 

Salem ;  d.  in  Boston  30  March,  1859 ;  he  d.  at  Salem  25  Novem- 
ber, 1831. 
j  Francis,  b.  16  November,  1780;  d.  in  Boston  18  August,  1842. 
(Thomas,  b.    16  November,   1780;    m.  in  Moscow,   Russia,    about 

1829,  Ann,   dau.   of Canally  of  Ireland,  widow  of  John 

Toal,  by  whom  he  had  one  daughter;    d.  at   Perovo,   Russia,  in 

1832;  she  d.  in  Moscow  in  1865. 
ix.  Martha,    b.    11    April,    1783;    m.    23    September,   1800,   Richard 

Crowuinshield  Derby  of  Boston;    d.  24  November,  1832;  bed. 

in  Philadelphia  4  April,  1854. 
X.  Nathaniel,  b.  11  May,  1785;   d.  18  December,  1787. 
xi.  Isaac  Foster,  b.  28  March,  1787;    Bowdoin   College  1806;    m.  at 

New  Bedford  31    INIay,   1845,    Martha  Ann,  daughter  of  John 

Prince  of  Jamaica  Plain;  d.  at  West  Roxbury  24  January,  1861; 

she  d.  in  Boston  7  September,  1877. 

9.  IX.  Harriot  Coffin,  fourth  child  of  Nathaniel,  born  at  Port- 
land 14  May,  1775;  married  at  Portland  23  November,  1799,  Jesse 
Sumner  of  Boston;  died  in  Boston  3  November,  1862;  he  died  13 
October,  1847.  Their  second  child,  but  eventual  sole  heiress, 
Harriot  Coffin  Sumner,  married  the  Hon.  Nathan  Appleton  of 
Boston,  and  was  mother  of  tlie  author. 


54  EARLY   WILLS. 


The  Brocklebank  Family.* 

Jane  Brocklebank,  a  widow  with  two  sons,  Samuel  and  John, 
settled  at  Rowley  about  1639,  They  probably  came  from  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Hull,  Yorkshire,  Euf^laud,  where  the  name  was  quite 
common;  but  careful  research  has  as  yet  failed  to  positively  identify 
her  husband.     She  died  at  Rowley,  in  December,  1668. 

John  Brocklebank,  younger  son  of  Jane,  married  at  Rowley  26 
September,  1657,  Sarah  Woodman,  by  whom  he  had  several  children; 
he  died  in  April,  1666,  leaving  only  two  daughters. 

2.  II.     Samuel  Brocklebank,  elder  son  of  Jane,  born  about  1627; 

married  at  Rowley  18  May,  1652,  Hannah ;  29  March,  1653, 

he  was  presented  to  the  County  Court  of  Essex  at  Ipswich  "  for 
weareing  silver  lace,"  and  ''confest  it,  but  in  considderation  of  his 
Imploym'  &  other  considderations  is  discharged  of  it "  ;  he  was  a 
military  man,  in  1671  Lieutenant,  and  15  October,  1673,  appointed 
Captain  of  the  company  at  Rowley,  and  was  Deacon  of  the  Church 
1666-1676;  he  was  killed  in  the  battle  with  Indians  at  Sudbury,  in 
April,  1676,  aged  48;  his  widow  married  4  March,  1679,  Richard 
Dole  of  Newbury,  and  died  6  September,  1690.  Children,  born  at 
Rowley : 

i.  Samuel,  b.  28  November,  1653;    ra.  22  November,  1681,  Elizabeth 

Plats  of  Rowley,  by  whom  he  had  cliildreii. 
ii.   Francis,  b.  26  September,  16o5;  d.  in  July,  1660. 
iii.  Hannah,  b.  28  March,  1659;    m.   9   June,    1680,  John  Stickaey  of 
Rowley;  d.  23  April,  1749;  he  d.  in  1709. 

iv.  John,  b  ;  d.  in  July,  1660. 

V.  Mauy,  b. ;  m.  at  Newbury  13  October,  1G84,  William  Dole, 

as  told  later;  he  d.  31  January,  1718. 

vi.  Elizabeth,  b.  ;    m.  14  March,  1686,  John  Todd  of  Rowley  ; 

d.  5  April,  1725;  lie  d.  21  February,  1741. 
vii.  Sarah,  h.  29  October,  1GG6;  d.  in  February,  1667. 
viii.  Sarah,  b.  7  July,  1668.  3 

ix.  Jane,  b.  31  January,  1671 ;  ra.  at  Newbury  26  January,  1693,  Abiel 
Somerby  of  Newbury;  d.  26  July,  1728;   he  d.  8  January,  1744. 
X.  Joseph,  b.  28  November,  1674;    m.   18   February,  1702,  Elizabeth 
Barker  of  Rowley,  by  whom  he  had  children;  d.  21  April,  1748; 
she  d.  21  November,  1722. 

3.  III.  Sarah  Brocklebank,  eiglith  child  of  Samuel,  born  at 
Rowley  7  July,  1668;  married  at  Newbury  3  November,  1686, 
Henry  Dole,  who  died  13  September,  1690,  and  she  married  secondly 
29  March,  1693,  Nathaniel  Coffin;  died  20  April,  1750;  he  died  20 
February,  1749. 

*  See  Essex  Institute  Historical  Collections,  XX. 


EAELT  WILLS.  55 


The  Greenlbaf  Family.* 

Edmund  Greenleap,  with  wife  Sarah  and  several  children,  came 
to  New  England  before  1638,  and  settled  at  Newbury.  Researches 
made  in  England  by  the  late  Horatio  G.  Somerby  render  it  certain 
that  he  came  from  Ipswich  in  Suffolk.  His  baptism  has  not  been 
found,  but  he  was  quite  possibly  son  of  Edmund  Greenleaf  of  Jha 
parish  of  St.  Mary-at-the-Tower.  He  was  made  Freeman  of  the 
Colony  of  Massachusetts,  13  March,  1639,  and  the  same  year  was 
appointed  Ensign  of  the  company  at  Newbury,  and  permitted  to  keep 
a  house  of  entertainment;  in  1642  he  was  Lieutenant,  and  was  ap- 
pointed "to  end  small  business  in  Neweberry  " :  in  1647  he  was,  at 
his  own  request,  discharged  from  his  military  oflSce,  and  later 
moved  to  Boston,  where  his  wife  died  18  January,  1663  ;  he  married, 
secondly,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Ignatius  Jurdaine  of  Exeter,  England, 

widow  first  of Wilson,  second  of  William  Hill  of  Fairfield, 

Conn.;    he  died  ?  24  March,   1671.     His  will  is  printed  page   1. 
Children,  born  at  Ipswich,  England  : 

i.  Enoch,  bapt.  at  St.  Mary-at-the-Tower,  1   December,  1613;  bur.  at 
St.  Margaret's  2  September,  1617. 

ii.  Samuel,  b. ;  bur.  at  St.  Margaret's  5  March,  1627. 

ill.  Enoch,  b. ;  m.  Mary ,  by  whom  he  had  several  chil- 
dren ;  lived  at  Maiden  and  Boston. 

iv.  Sarah,  bapt.  at  St.  Margaret's  26  March,  1620;  m.  William  Hilton  of 
Newbury;  d.  about  1655;  bed.  at  Charlestown  7  September,  1675. 

V.  Elizabeth,  bapt.  at  St.  Margaret's  16  January,  1622;  m.  Giles  Bad- 
ger of  Newbury;  he  d.  10  July,  1647,  and  she  m.  secondly  10 
February,  1649,  Richard  Brown  of  Newbury;  he  d.  26  April, 
1661. 

vi.  Nathaniel,  bapt.  at  St.  Margaret's  27  June,  1624;  bur.  24  July,  1634. 

vii.  Judith,  bapt,  at  St.  Margaret's  29  September,    1626;    m.  Henry 
Somerby  of  Newbury  ;  he  d.  2  October,  1652,  and  she  m.  secondly 
2  March,  1653.  Tristram  CofRn  of  Newbury,  as  told  page  50;    d. 
15  December,  1705;  he  d.  4  February,  1704. 
viii.  Stephen,  bapt.  at  St.  Margaret's  10  August,  1628.  2 

ix.  Daniel,  bapt.  at  St.  Margaret's  14  August,  1631;  d.  at  Newbury  5 
December,  1654. 

2.  II.  Stephen  Greenleaf,  fifth  but  second  surviving  son  of 
Edmund,  born  at  Ipswich,  England,  in  1628:  married  at  Newbury 
13  November^  1651,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Tristram  Coffin;  in  1670 
was  appointed  Ensign  of  the  company  at  Newbury,  and  in  1685 
Lieutenant;  was  Deputy  to  the  General  Court  9  August,  1676,  and 
13  May,  1686,  to  the  Council  of  Safety  1689,  and  to  the  General 
Court  1689,  '90;  his  wife  died  19  November,  1678,  and  he  married 
secondly  31  March,  1679,  Esther,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Wcare  ot 

*  See  Genealogy  of  the  Greenleaf  Family,  New  York,  1854,  and  New  England  Historical 
and  Genealogical  Register,  XXXVIII,  299. 


56  EAKLY    WILLS. 

Hampton,  widow  of  Benjamin  Swett  of  Hampton ;  was  a  Captain  in 
the  disastrous  expedition  against  Canada  in  1690,  and  was  drowned 
oflf  Cape  Breton  31  October,  1690;  she  died  at  Newbury  16  January, 
1718.     His  will  is  printed  page  13.     Children,  all  by  first  wife: 

i.  Stephen,   b.   at    Newbury   15    August,   1652;     soldier  in   1675-6; 

Captain;  m.  23  October,  1676,   Elizabeth,  daugliter  of  WilHam 

Gerrish  of  Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  several  children ;    she  d. 

5  or  13  August,  1712,  and  he  m.  secondly,  in  1713,  Mrs.  Hannah 

Jordan  of  Kittery;  d.  30  September,  1743. 
ii.  Sarah,  b.  at  Newbury  18  October,  1G55;  m.  7  June,  1677,  Richard 

Dole  of  Newbury;  d.  1  September,  1718;  he  d.  1  August,  1723. 
iii.  Daniel,  b.  at  Boston  17  February,  1658;  d.  young, 
iv.  Elizabeth,  b.  at  Newbury  5  April,  1660;  m.  24  September,  1677, 

Thomas  Noyes  of  Nevvbury ;  he  d.  in  1730. 
V.  John.  b.  at  Newbury  21  June,  1662;  m.  12  October,  1685,  Elizabeth 

Hills  of  Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  several  children ;  she  d.,  and 

he  m.  secondly,  13  May,  1716,  Lydia,  daughter  of  Charles  Frost 

of  Kittery,  widow  of  Benjamin  Pierce  of  Newbury;  d.  24  June, 

1734;  she  d.  13  May,  1752. 
vi.  Samuel,  b.  at  Newbury  30  October,  1665;  m.  1  March,  1686,  Sarah, 

daughter  of  John  Kent  of  Newbury,  by  whom  lie  had  children; 

d.  6  August,  1694;  she  m.  secondly,  28  April,  1696,  Peter  Top- 
pan  of  Newbury, 
vii.  Tristram,  b.  at  Newbury  11  February,  1668;  m.  12  November,  1689, 

Margaret  Piper  of  Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  several  children ; 

d.  13  September,  1742. 
viii.  Edmund,  b.  at  Newbury  10  May,  1671.  3 

ix.  Judith,  b.  at  Newbury  23  October,  1673;  d.  19  November,  1678. 
X.  Mary,  b.  at  Newbury  6  December,  1676;  m.  in  1606,  Joshua  Moody 

of  Newbury. 

3.  HI.  Edmund  Greeleaf,  youngest  son  of  Stephen,  born  at 
Newbury  10  May,  1671;  married  2  July,  1691,  Abigail,  daughter  of 
Abiel  Somerby  of  Newbury;  died?  in  1740.  Children,  born  at 
Newbury : 

i.  Judith,  b.  15  December,  1692.  4 

ii.  Abigail,  b.  6  jMarch,  1695. 
iii.  INIary,  b.  10  September,  1697. 

iv.  Rebecca,  b.  22  February,  1700;  d.  29  September,  1702. 
V.  Edmund,  b.  10  February,  1702;  m.  4  March,  1725,  Mary,  daughter 

of  Joseph  Hale  of  Newbury;  d.  in  1754. 
vi.  Henry,  b.  22  July,  1705. 

vii.  Rebecca,  b.  5  November,  1707;  d.  19  August,  1709. 
viii.  Richard,  b.  11  Ma^s  1710. 
ix.  Rooksby,  dau.,  b.  11  May,  1713;  m.  21  April,  1738,  John  Clark  of 
Kings  Towne. 

4.  IV.  Judith  Greenleaf,  eldest  child  of  Edmund,  born  at  New- 
bury 15  December,  1692;  married  22  April,  1713,  John  CofiBn  of 
Newbury;  died  10  February,  1772;  he  died  30  September,  1762. 


EARLY   WILLS.  57 


The  Somerbt  Family. 


This  family  is  traced  back  with  certainty  to  Henry  Somerby  of 
Little  Bytham,  Lincolnshire,  England,  who  died  in  1609,  leaving 
widow  Margaret,  and  son  Richard  Somerby,  who  died  at  Little 
Bytham  1  March,  1639;  his  children  were: 

i.  Anthony,  bapt.  at  Little  Bytham  16  August,  1610.  3 

ii.  Henry,  bapt.  at  Little  Bytham  17  March,  1612;  came  to  New  Eng- 
land in  1639,  and  settled  at  Newbury;  Freenoan  18  May,  1642; 
m.  Judith,  daughter  of  Edmund  Greenleaf  of  Newbury,  by  whom 
he  had  four  children,  of  whom  two  daughters  became  his  eventual 
coheirs;  d.  2  October,  1652;  she  m.  secondly  2  March,  1653, 
Tristram  Coffin  of  Newbury,  and  d.  15  December,  1705. 

3.  IIL  Anthony  Somerby,  elder  son  of  Richard,  born  at  Little 
Bytham  in  1610;  graduated  at  Clare  Hall,  Cambridge,  1635;  came 
to  New  England  in   1639,  and  settled  at  Newbury;    m.   Abigail 

;    was  Freeman  of  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts  18  May, 

1642;  was  for  some  time  schoolmaster  at  Newbury,  and  in  1647 
was  appointed  Clerk  of  the  Writs  as  well  as  Town-clerk;  was  a 
signer  of  the  petition  of  1666;  he  died  31  July,  1686;  she  died  3 
June,  1673.     His  will  is  printed  page  2.     Child: 

i.  Abiel,  b.  at  Newbury  8  September,  1641.  4 

4.  IV.  Abiel  Somerby,  only  child  of  Anthony,  born  at  Newbury 
8  September,  1641 ;  married  13  November,  1661,  Rebecca,  daughter 
of  Richard  Knight;  was  a  signer  of  the  petition  of  1666;  Freeman 
19  May,  1669;  died  27  December,  1671  ;  she  married  secondly,  28 
April,  1691,  Nicholas  Wallis  of  Ipswich,  and  died  ?  in  1719.  Chil- 
dren, born  at  Newbury : 

i.  Henry,  b.  13  September,  1662;  m.  26  June,  1683,  Mary,  daughter 

of  Samuel  Moody  of  Newbury;  d.  24  November,  1723. 
ii.  Elizabeth,   b.   20   December,   1664;    m.   29   March,    1683,   Daniel 

Moody  of  Newbury. 
iii.  Abiel,  b.  21  August,  1667;  m.  26  January,  1693,  Jane,  daughter  of 
Samuel  Brocklebank  of  Rowley,  by  whom  he  had  several  chil- 
dren; d.  8  January,  1744;  she  d.  26  July,  1728. 
iv.  Abigail,  b.  25  January,  1670.  5 

r  Anthony,  b.  12  June,  1672,  (posthumous);  m.  in  1696,  Elizabeth, 
J  daughter  of  Edward  Heard  of  Ipswich,  by  whom  he  had  several 
j       children;  d.  16  September,  1759. 

[  Rebecca,  b.  12  June,  1672,  (posthumous);  m.  John  Kent  of  New- 
bury. 

5.  y.     Abigail  Somerby,  fourth  child  of  Abiel,  born  at  Newbury 
25  January,  1670;  married  2  July,  1691,  Edmund  Greenleaf. 

6 


58  EARLY   WILLS. 


The  Knight  Family. 

Among  the  passengers  from  Southampton,  England,  for  New  Eng- 
land by  the  "James"  in  April,  1G35,  were 
John  Knight       )  of  Romsey 
Richard  Knight  5  taylers. 

They  were  undoubtedly  cousins.  John  Knight  was  either  son  of 
Nicholas,  and  born  in  1601,  or  son  of  John,  and  born  in  1602;  he 
settled  at  Newbury;  was  Freeman  25  May,  1636,  and  had  wife 
Elizabeth,  who  died  20  March,  1645;  he  m.  secondly,  Ann,  widow 
of  Richard  Ingersoll  of  Salem,  and  died  in  May,  1670,  leaving  son 
John. 

Richard  Knight  was  son  of  William  of  Romsey,  and  was  bap- 
tized there  14  January,  1603  ;  according  to  Joshua  Coffin  he  married 
Agnes  Coffley;*  he  settled  at  Newbury;  was  Freeman  of  the  Colony 
of  Massachusetts  25  May,  1636;  the  same  year  was  chosen  one  of 
the  first  "  seven  "  or  selectmen  of  Newbury,  and  was  for  many  years 
Deacon  of  the  Church  there;  in  1645  he  was  appointed  by  the 
General  Court  with  Edward  W  oodman  and  John  Lowle  "  to  end 
small  causes  under  20^  in  Neweberry";  27  September,  1653,  his 
wife  being  presented  to  Ipswich  Court  "  for  waring  a  silke  hood,  upon 
gfes  y*  her  husband  is  worth  aboue  200"  is  discharged  of  her  p'"sent- 
ment";  he  was  a  signer  of  the  petition  of  1666;  died  4  August, 
1683 ;  she  died  22  March,  1679.  His  will  is  printed  page  4.  Chil- 
dren: 

i.  Ann,  b.  probably  at  Romsey;  m.  8  October,  1648,  Henry  Jaques  of 
Newbury,  as  told  later;  d.  22   February,  1705;  he  d.  24  Feb- 
ruary, 1687. 
ii.  Elizabeth,  b.  ;  m.  8  May,  1660,  Anthony  Morse  of  New- 
bury; d.  29  July,  1667;  he  d.  25  February,  1678. 
iii.  Rebecca,  b.  at  Newbury  3  March,  1043.  2 

iv.  Sarah,  b.  at  Newbury  23  March,  1647;  m.  20  May,  1663,  John 
Kelly  of  Newbury;  he  d.  21  March,  1718. 

2.  III.  Rebecca  Knight,  third  daughter  of  Richard,  born  at 
Newbury  3  March,  1643;  married  13  November,  1661,  Abiel  Som- 
erby  of  Newbury;  he  died  27  December,  1671,  and  she  married 
secondly,  28  April,  1691,  Nicholas  Wallis  of  Ipswich;  died  ?  in  1719. 


•  Coffley  is  the  name  of  a  family  of  Romsey,  but  I  could  not  find  this  marriage  on  the 
parish  register ;  Coffin  may  however  haye  obtained  it  from  some  one  of  the  Knight  family. 


EARLY  WILLS.  59 


The  Hale  Family  * 

Recent  searches  for  the  ancestry  of  Thomas  Hale  of  Newbury 
have  fortunately  been  successful.  The  record  begins  with  Thomas 
Hale  of  Watton-at-Stone,  Hertfordshire,  England,  who  married  Joan 
Kirby  of  Little  Munden,  Herts.,  and  was  buried  at  Watton  19  Oc- 
tober, 1630;  she  married  secondly  John  Bydes  of  Little  Munden. 
Children,  born  at  Watton  : 

i.  Dionis,  bapt.  15  August,   1602;   m.  29  September,   1624,   Henry 

Beane. 
ii.  Thomas,  bapt.  15  June,  1606.  2 

iii.  Mary,  bapt.  8  October,  1609;   ?  m. Whale. 

iv.  Dorothy,  bapt.  28  March,  1613. 
V.  EHzabeth,  bapt.  31  August,  1617. 

2.  H.     Thomas  Hale,  only  son  of  Thomas,  born  at  Watton-at- 

Stone  in  1606;  married  Thomasine ;  lived  a  few  years  at 

Watton;  came  to  New  England  in  1637,  and  is  found  at  Newbury 
in  1638;  was  Freeman  of  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts  7  September, 
1638;  moved  in  1645  to  Haverhill,  where  he  was  one  of  the  Com- 
missioners to  end  small  causes,  and  lived  till  1652  ;  then  at  Newbury 
till  1657;  then  at  Salem  till  1661,  when  he  returned  to  Newbury; 
was  a  signer  of  the  petition  of  1666,  and  died  at  Newbury  21  Decem- 
ber, 1682  ;  she  died  30  January,  1683.     Children  : 

i.  Thomas,  bapt.  at  Watton  18  November,  1633;  m.  at  Salem  26  May, 
1657,  Mary,  daughter  of  Richard  Hutchinson  of  Salem,  by  whom 
he  had  several  children;  d.  at  Newbury  22  October,  1688;  she 
m.  secondly  at  Boxford  5  February,  1695,  William  Watson  of 
Boxford;  d.  8  December,  1715. 
ii.  John,  bapt.  at  Watton  19  April,  1635.  3 

iii.  Samuel,  b.  at  Newbury  2  February,  1640;  ?m.  19  March,  1669, 
Lydia  Musgrave,  who  d.  soon,  and  he  m.  21  July,  1673,  Sarah, 
daughter  of  William  Ilsley  of  Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  two 
daughters ;  moved  to  Woodbridge,  New  Jersey ;  d.  there  5  Nov- 
ember, 1709;  she  d.  16  January,  1681. 

iv.  Apphia,  b.  at  Newbury  in  1642;  m.  3  November,  1659,  Benjamin 
Rolfe  of  Newbury;  d.  24  December,  1708 ;  he  d.  10  August,  1710. 

3.  HL  John  Hale,  second  son  of  Thomas,  born  at  Watton-at- 
Stone  in  1635;  married  at  Newbury  5  December,  1660,  Rebecca, 
daughter  of  Richard  Lowle;  she  died  1  June,  1662,  and  he  married 
secondly  8  December,  1663,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Henry  Somerby; 

she  died  19  June,  1672,  and  he  married  thirdly,  Sarahf ;  had 

the  title  of  Serjeant;  died  2  June,  1707;  she  died  19  January,  1700. 
Children,  born  at  Newbury : 

i.  John,  b.  2  September,  1661.  4 

*  See  Genealogy  of  Descendants  of  Thomas  Hale,  Albany,  1889. 

t  She  is  said  to  have  been  a  widow  Cottle,  but  her  father  has  not  yet  been  identified; 
perhaps  her  first  husband  was  William  Cottle. 


60  EARLY   WILLS. 

ii.  Samuel,  b.  15  October,  1GG4;  d.  15  May,  1672. 

iii.  Henry,  b.  20  October,  1666 ;  m.  1 1  September,  1 695,  Sarah,  daughter 
of  Joliii  Kelly  of  Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  several  childreu;  d. 
21  October,  1724;  shed.  10  February,  1741. 

iv.  Thomas,  b.  4  November,  1668;  probal)ly  d.  unmarried. 

V.  Judith,  b.  5  July,  1670;  m.  24  November,  1692,  Thomas  Moody  of 
Newbury;  died?  in  1757;  he  d.  in  1737. 

vi.  Joseph,  b.  24  November,  1674;  m.  25  December,  1699,  Mary, 
daughter  of  Caleb  Moody  of  Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  several 
children;  d.  24  January,  1755;  shed.  16  April,  1753. 
vii.  Benjamin,  b.  11  August,  1676;  d.  31  August,  16Y7. 
viii.  Moses,  b.  10  July,  1678;  Harvard  College  1699,  Rev.;  vras  minister 
of  Byfield  Parish,  Newbury;  m.  in  1703  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Richard  Dummer  of  Newbury;  she  d.  15  January,  1704,  and  he 
m.  secondly  Mary,  daughter  of  William  Moody  of  Newbury,  by 
whom  be  had  several  children;  d.  16  January,  1744;  she  d.  17 
July,  1757. 

4.  rV.  John  Hale,  eldest  son  of  John,  born  at  Newbury  2  Sep- 
tember, 1661;  married  16  October,  1683,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Henry 
Jaques;  died  4  March,  1726.     Children,  born  at  Newbury: 

i.  Rebecca,  b.  18  February,  1685;  m.  in  1703  Jonathan  Poor  of  New- 
bury; he  d.  30  June,  1742,  and  she  m.  secondly,  27  December, 
1742,  Jonathan  Jewett  of  Rowley;  d.  16  March,  1760;  he  d.  26 
July,  1745. 
ii.  John,  b.  24  June,  1686.  5 

iii.  Richard,  b.  21  September,  1688;  d.  29  September,  1688. 
iv.   Henry,  b.  28  August,  1689;  d.  2  February,  1690. 
V.  Richard,  b.  9  November,  1690;  m.  16  March,  1715,  Mary  Silver, 

by  whom  he  had  several  children;  d.  in  1771. 
vi.  Stephen,  b.  12  April,  1693;  m.  15  October,  1718,  Sarah  Swett;  d. 

about  1744. 
vii.  Sarah,  b.  3  February,  1695;  m.  19  July,  1720,  John  Weed, 
viii.  Samuel,  b.  21  March,  1697;  d.  in  1722. 
ix.  Benjamin,  b.  24  March,  1699;  m.  26  December,  1729,  Judith  Swett, 
by  whom  he  had  s-everal  children;  d.  29  July,  1770. 
f  Anne,  b.  3  January,  1701;  d.  6  January,  1701. 
I  Mary,  b.  3  January,  1701 ;  d.  6  January,  1701. 
xii.  Margaret,  b.  8  Januar}',  1702. 
xiii.  Ann,  b.  24  October,  1703;  d.  young, 
xiv.  Mary,  b.  28  December,  1704;  m.  13  November,  1728,  Henry  Dole 

of  Newbury. 
XV.  Ruth,  b.  17  November,  1706;  m.  12  December,  1727,  John  Pearson 

'  of  Rowley, 
xvi.  Anne,  b.  18  January,  1710;  m.  11  December,  1733,  Daniel  Knight 
of  Newbury. 

5.  V.  John  Hale,  eldest  son  of  John,  born  at  Newbury  24  June, 
1686;  married  25  July,  1716,  Patience,  daughter  of  William  Dole; 

she  died  30  March,  1719,  and  he  married  secondly  Mary ;  died 

in  1770.     His  will  is  printed  page  42.     Children,  born  at  Newbury  : 

i.  Abigail,  b.  1  August,  1717;  d.  19  August,  1717. 


EARLY   WILLS.  61 

ii.  Patience,  b.  22  March,  1719.  6 

iii.  Mehitable,  b.  in  1734;  m.  28  January,  1752,  Daniel  Clarke;  d.  at 

Boscawen,  N.  H.,  2  January,  1815. 
iv.  John,  b.  in  1736;  m.  25  March,  1778,  Mary  Willett,  by  whom  he 
had  one  daughter;  d.  17  August,  1815;  she  d.  14  October,  1823. 
V.  Elizabeth,  b.  1  March,  1741;  m.  30  March,  1758,  Stephen  Swett. 
vi.  Nathaniel,  b.  21  October,  1743. 

6.  VI.  Patience  Hale,  eldest  child  of  John,  born  at  Newbury 
22  March,  1719;  married  at  Newbury  1  March,  1739,  Nathaniel 
Coffin  of  Falmouth;  died  at  Falmouth  31  January,  1772;  he  died  12 
January,  1766. 


The  Lowle  Family. 

This  family  is  traced  back  in  England  for  several  generations. 
The  following  pedigree  is  found  at  the  British  Museum  in  Ms.  Har- 
leian,  1559 : 

William  Lowle  of  Yardley  in  com.  Worcester= dau.  of  . . .  .Lytleton. 

I 

James  Lowle=  ....  dau.  of  ....  Baskervile.  Andrew.         Samuel. 

! 

I  .  ^    '  '  ' 

Raffe  Lowle^ ....  dau.  of  ... .  Haselrigg.      George.     Edmond.     Andrew. 

! 

I  III 

Walter  Lowle= Joane,  dau.  of  ....  Russell.     Thomas.    Anthony.    Sabity. 

Richard  Lowle  dyed  at  Yardley  in  com.  Worster,= ....  dau.  of Turner. 

and  is  there  buried  with  this  coate.* 


Thomas  Lowle=  . . .  .dau.  of  . . .  .Mayhouse.  Richard. 

\ 

I  ~,  i  i 

John  Lowle  dyed  at=  ....  dau.  of  ... .  Wake.    William.    Thomas.    Roger. 
Clyvedon 
in  com.  Somerset. 


John  Lowle=Apolyn,  dau.  of  Richard  Leversedge.  Roger. 

1  i  j 

Richard  Lowle=. . .  .dau.  of  ....  Percivall.  Edmond.  John. 

I 

Percivall  Lowle,  1591,  in  New  England  1639. 

John  Lowle  of  the  eighth  generation  was  of  Fortbury  in  Somer- 
setshire, where  he  died  in  1552,  leaving  a  wife  Apolyn,  a  son  Richard, 
and  a  sister  Mary  Collins.     Richard  of  the  ninth  generation  lived  at 

*  The  Lowles  bore,  Sable,  a  dexter  hand  couped  at  the  wrist,  grasping  three  darts,  one 
in  pale  and  two  in  saltire,  Argent. 


62  EARLY    WILLS. 

Portbury;  liis  wife  was  undoubtedly  daughter  of  Edmund  Percival* 
of  Weston-in-Gordano,  a  neighboring  parish,  who  belonged  to  the 
great  family,  from  which  descends  the  Earl  of  Egmont.  Her  an- 
cestry may  be  read  in  various  English  works.  Unfortunately  the 
early  parish  registers  of  Clevedon,  of  Weston-in-Gordano,  of  Port- 
bury,  and  of  Kingston-Seymour,  have  all  disappeared,  leaving  in 
doubt  many  facts,  which  their  existence  might  prove,  and  forcing  us 
to  depend  too  much  on  uncertain  conjectures. 

X.  Percival  Lowle,  son  of  Richard,  was  of  Kingston-Seymour 
and  Portbury,  Somersetshire,  England;  came  to  New  England  in 
1639,  and  settled  at  Newbury ;  had  wife  Rebecca;  he  died  8  January, 
1665;  she  died  28  December,  1645.     Children,  born  in  England  : 

i.  Richard,  b.  about  1602.  2 

ii.  John,  b.  ;  was  apprenticed  in   1G19  to  Richard  Baugh  of 

Bristol,  glover,  and  admitted  citizen  of  Bristol  in  1629;  m.  Mary 

,  by   whom  he  had  several  children ;  she  d.,  and  he  m. 

secondly  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  widow  Pllizabeth  Goodale  of 
Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  children;  Freeman  2  June,  1641, 
Deputy  "7  March,  1644;  d.  10  July,  1647  ;  she  d.  23  April,  1651. 

iii.  Joanna,  b.    ;    m.  John  Oliver  of  Newbury,    and  had  an  only 

child  Mary  ;t  he  died  in  1642,  and  she  married  secondly  17  April, 
1645,  William  Gerrish  of  Newbury;  d.  14  June,  1677;  he  d.  at 
Salem  9  August,  1687. 
iv.  Ann,  b. ;  m.  Thomas  Milward  of  Newbury;  he  d.  1  Sep- 
tember, 1653,  and  she  m.  secondly  26  December,  1654,  Daniel 
Pierce  of  Newbury;  d.  27  November,  1690;  he  d.  27  Novem- 
ber, 1677. 

2.  XI.  Richard  Lowle,  probably  elder  son  of  Percival,  born  in 
England  about  1602;  came  to  New  England  with  his  father,  bring- 
ing a  wife,  who  died  at  Newbury  in  1642;    he  married  secondly 

Margaret ;  was  a  signer  of  the  petition  of  1666;  he  died  5 

August,  1682,  aged  about  80.     His  will  is  printed  page  6.     Children : 

i.  Percival,  b.  about  1639;  m.  at  Newbury  7  September,  1664,  Mary 
Chandler,  by  whom  he  had  several  children ;  she  d.  5  February, 
1708. 
ii.  Rebecca,  b.  at  Newbury  27  January,  1641.  3 

iii.  Samuel,  b.  in  Newbury  in  1644;  is  said  to  have  gone  to  England, 

and  remained  there, 
iv.  Thomas,  b.  at  Newbury  28  September,  1649;  probably  d.  unmarried. 

3.  XII.  Rebecca  Lowle,  only  daughter  of  Richard,  born  at 
Newbury  27  January,  1641 ;  married  5  December,  1660,  John  Hale; 
died  1  June,  1662;  he  died  2  June,  1707. 

•  This  Edmund  Percival  had  four  daughters,  who  in  the  "  History  of  the  House  of 
Yvery  "  arc  said  to  liave  died  without  issue,  but  the  manuscript  there  quoted  as  authority 
contains  no  such  statement. 

t  Mary  Oliver  married  Samuel  Appleton  of  Ipswich,  and  was  great-great-great-grand- 
mother of  the  author. 


EARLY  WILLS.  63 


The  Jaques  Family. 

Henry  Jaques,  first  of  the  name  in  this  country,  was  born  in 
England,  possibly  in  Wiltshire,  about  1618;  came  to  New  England 
in  1640,  and  settled  at  Newbury;  married  8  October,  1648,  Ann, 
daughter  of  Richard  Knight;  was  Freeman  of  the  Colony  of  Massa- 
chusetts 19  May,  1669;  was  a  carpenter,  and  employed  in  1661  in 
building  the  new  meeting-house  at  Newbury;  in  1667  was  an  asso- 
ciate of  Daniel  Pierce  in  the  grant  of  Woodbridge,  New  Jersey ;  died 
at  Newbury  24  February,  1687,  aged  69;  she  died  22  February, 
1704.     His  will  is  printed  page  15.     Children,  born  at  Newbury: 

i.  Henry,  b.  30  July,  1649;  m. ;  moved  to  Woodbridge,  N.  J.; 

d.  there  before  his  father,  leaving  three  sons. 

ii.  Mary,  b.  12  November,  1651;  d.  13  October,  1653. 

iii.  Mary,  b.  23  October,  1653;  m.  7  May,  1674,  Richard  Brown  of 
Newbury;  he  d.  12  October,  1716. 

iv.  Hannah,  b.  ;  m.  15  January,  1680,  Ephraim  Plummer  of 

Newbury;  he  d.  in  ?  1715. 

V.  Richard,  b.  in  1658;  m.  18  January,  1682,  Ruth,  daughter  of  Sam- 
uel Plummer  of  Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  a  posthumous  son 
Richard;  d.  28  May,  1683. 

vi.  Stephen,  b.  9  September,  1  661 ;  m.  13  May,  1684,  Deborah,  daughter 
of  Samuel  Plummer  of  Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  several  chil- 
dren; d.  in  1744. 

vii.  Sarah,  b.  20  March,  1664.  2 

viii.  Daniel,  b.  20  February,  1667;  m.  20  March,  1693,  Mary  Williams 
of  Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  children ;  she  d.,  and  he  m.  secondly 
Susanna . 

ix.  Elizabeth,  b.  28  October,  1669;  m.  Richard  Knight  of  Newbury. 

X.  Ruth,  b.  14  April,  1672;  m.  29  November,  1692,  Stephen  Emery 
of  Newbury;  d.  9  January,  1764;  he  d.  1  February,  1747. 

xi.  Abigail,  b.  11  March,  1674;  m.  Benjamin  Knight  of  Newbury;  he 
d.  in  1737. 

2.  n.  Sarah  Jaques,  fourth  daughter  of  Henry,  born  at  New- 
bury 20  March,  1664;  married  10  October,  1683,  John  Hale,  who 
died  4  March,  1726. 

The  Dole  Family.* 

The  researches  of  the  late  Horatio  G-.  Somerby  traced  this  family 
back  to  Richard  Dole  of  Rangeworthy,  Gloucestershire,  England, 
tanner.  In  his  will,  written  9  April,  1606,  proved  12  September, 
1609,  he  mentioned  his  wife  Dorothy,  his  sons  William  and  Giles, 
and  his  daughter  Alice.  From  the  register  of  the  parish  of  Range- 
worthy  we  learn  that  Richard  Dole  was  buried  there  29  May,  1609, 
and  his  son  Giles  6  February,  1622 ;  Alice  married  1  June,  1614, 
Robert  Hobbes. 

•  See  New-England  Historical  and  Genealogical  Register,  XXXVIII,  74. 


64  EARLY    WILLS. 

2.  11.  William  Dole,  son  of  Richard,  married  at  Rangeworthy 
9  May,  1G22,  Joane  Hale.     Children,  born  at  Rangeworthy: 

i.  Richard,  bapt.  31  December,  1G22.  3 

ii.  Dorotliy,  bupt.  11  April,  1G24. 
iii.  William,  bupt.  5  February,  1G26. 
iv.  Joan,  bapt.  28  December,  1028. 

3.  III.  Richard  Dole,  elder  son  of  William,  born  at  Range- 
worthy  in  1G22 ;  was  called  of  Thornbury,  a  neighboi-ing  parish, 
when  he  apprenticed  himself  for  seven  years  from  7  September, 
1637,  to  John  Lowle,  then  of  Bristol,  glover;  came  to  New  Eng- 
land with  the  Lowles  in  1639,  and  settled  at  Js^ewbury;  married  3 
May,  1647,  Hannah,  daughter  of  Henry  Rolfe ;  was  Deputy  to  the 
special  General  Court  of  16  September,  1673,  but  apparently  to  no 
other;  his  wife  died  16  November,  1678,  and  he  married  secondly 
4  March,  1679,  Hannah,  widow  of  Samuel  Brocklebank  of  Rowley; 
she  died  6  September,  1690,  and  he  married  thirdly  (the  marriage- 
contract  dated  29  October,  1690)  Patience,  probably  daughter  of 
Joseph  Jewett  of  Rowley,  widow  of  Shubael  Walker;  died  in  1705. 
His  will  is  printed  page  18.     Children,  born  at  Newbury: 

i.  John,  b.  10  August,  1648;  a  Doctor;  m.  23  October,  1676,  Mary, 
daughter  of  William  Gerrish  of  Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  sev- 
eral children  ;  d.  iu  January,  1 695. 

ii.  Richard,  b.  6  September,  1650;  m.  7  June,  1677,  Sarah,  daughter 
of  Stephen  Greenleaf  of  Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  several  chil- 
dren; d.  1  August,  1723;  she  d.  1  September,  1718. 

iii.  Ann,  b.  26  March,  1652;  d.  6  July,  1653. 

iv.  Benjamin,  b.  14  June,  1654;  probably  d.  young. 
v.  Joseph,  b.  5  August,  1657;  probably  d.  young. 

vi.  William,  b.  11  April,  1660.  4 

vii.  Henry,  b.  9  March,  1663;  m.  3  November,  1686,  Sarah,  daughter 
of  Samuel  Brocklebank  of  Rowley,  by  whom  he  had  two  daugh- 
ters; d.  13  September,  1690;  she  m.  secondly  29  March,  1693, 
Nathaniel  Coffin,  and  d.  20  April,  1750. 
viii.  Hannah,  b.  23  October,  1665;  m.  18  May,  1692,  John  Moody  of 
Newbury;  he  d.  in  ?  1737. 

ix.  Api)hia,  b.  7  December,  1668;  m.  Peter  Coffin  of  Gloucester;  d.  at 
Newbury  14  April,  1725;  he  d.  19  January,  1747. 

X.  Abner,  b.  8  March,  1672;  m.  1  November,  1694,  Mary,  daughter 
of  Jeremiah  Jewett  of  Rowley,  by  whom  he  had  a  son ;  she  d. 
25  November,  1695,  and  he  m.  secondly  at  Boston  5  January, 
1699,  Sarah  Belcher  of  Boston,  by  whom  he  had  children;  d.  in 
1739;  shed.  21  July,  1730. 

4.  lY.  William  Dole,  fifth  son  of  Richard,  born  at  Newbury  11 
April,  1660;  married  13  October,  1684,  Mary,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Brocklebank  of  Rowley;  31  March,  1685,  William  Dole  and  Mary 
Brocklebank,  now  his  wife,  owned  to  Ipswich  Court  the  sin  of  forni- 
cation, and  he  was  fined  four  pounds  with  fees,  all  of  which  was  paid; 
he  died  31  January,  1718.  His  will  is  printed  page  34.  Children, 
born  at  Newbury : 


EARLY  WILLS.  65 

i.  William,  b.   12  January,  1685;   m.  2   February,   1714,   Rebecca, 

daughter  of  John  Pearson  of  Rowley,  by  whom  he  had  several 

children;  d.  5  August,  1752. 
ii.  Hannah,  b.  28  March,  1686;  m.  Richard  Kelly, 
iii.  Mary,  b.   1   February,   1688;  m.  in  1708  Joshua  Boynton ;  d.  26 

December,  1777;  he  d.  29  October,  1770. 
iv.  Richard,  b.  31  December,  1689;  m.  21  May,  1719,  Sarah,  daughter 

of  Stephen  Emery,    by  whom  he  had  several  children;    d.  10 

March,  1778. 
V.  Jane,  b.  23  January,  1692;  m.  17  August,  1711,  Joseph  Noyes. 
vi.  Patience,  b.  8  April,  1694.  5 

vii.  Apphia,  b.  13  May,  1696;  d.  1  April,  1753. 
viii.  Samuel,  b.  1  June,  1699;  m.  30  October,  1720,  Elizabeth  Knight, 

by  whom  he  had  several  children;  d.  15  December,  1776. 
ix.  Benjamin,  b.  2  July,  1702;  m. ,  by  whom 

he  had  several  children;  d.  4  January,  1776. 

5.  y.  Patience  Dole,  fourth  daughter  of  William,  born  at  New- 
bury 8  April,  1694;  married  25  July,  1716,  John  Hale;  died  30 
March,  1719;  he  died  in  1770. 

The  Rolpe  Family.* 

Much  more  of  error  than  of  fact  has  been  printed  about  this 
family,  which  was  founded  in  this  country  by  two  brothers  John 
Rolfe  and  Henry  Rolfe. 

John  Roaff,  (so  spelled),  aged  50,  with  wife  Ann  and  daughter 
Hester,  of  Melcliitt  Park,  Wiltshire,  England,  came  to  New  England 
from  Southampton  24  April,  1638,  in  the  Confidence  of  London;  he 
was  first  of  Newbury,  Freeman  6  September,  1639,  later  of  Salis- 
bury; was  a  proprietor  of  Nantucket;  died  8  February,  1664. 

Henry  Rolfe  was  an  early  settler  at  Newbury ;  had  wife  Honour ; 
died  at  Newbury  1  March,  1643;  she  died  at  Charlestown  19  De- 
cember, 1650.     His  will  is  printed  page  7  ;  hers  page  8.     Children : 

i.  Ann,  b.  about  1626;  m.  Thomas  Blanchard  of  Charlestown;  he  d. 

in   1651,  and  she  m.  secondly  Richard  Gardner  of  Charlestown 

and  Woburn;  he  d.  29  May,  1698. 

ii.  Hannah,  b. .  2 

iii.  John,  b.  ;     m.  at  Newbury     4    December,   1656,    Mary, 

daughter  of  Samuel  Scullard,  by  whom  he  had  several  children; 

lived  at  Newbury,  Nantucket,  and  Cambridge;  d.  at  Newbury 

30  September,  1681. 
iv.  Benjamin,   b.  about  1638;    m.    at  Newbury  3   November,    1659, 

Apphia,  daughter  of  Thomas  Hale,  by  whom   he  had   several 

children;  d.  10  August,  1710;  she  d.  24  December,  1708. 

2.  II.  Hannah  Rolfe,  daughter  of  Henry,  born  in  England; 
married  at  Newbury  3  May,  1647,  Richard  Dole;  died  16  Novem- 
ber, 1678;  he  died  30  July,  1705. 

*  See  New-England  Historical  and  Genealogical  Register,  III.,  149,  XXXVI,  143. 


QQ  EARLY    WILLS. 


The  Foster  Family.* 

William  Foster,  first  of  this  family  in  New  England,  is  found  at 
Charlcstown  in  1G52,  in  which  year  he  and  Ann  his  wife  were  ad- 
mitted to  the  Church.  Before  this,  all  concerninj^  him  is  conjecture. 
He  was  very  possibly  of  Boston  1645  with  a  wife  Susanna;  he  may 
also  have  been  the  passenger  of  iiis  name  in  the  Hercules  from 
Southampton,  England,  in  April,  1634;  and  this  passenger  was  not 
improbably  son  of  Richard  Foster  of  Romsey  in  Hampshire,  bap- 
tized there  22  January,  1G15.     At  any  rate 

William  Foster  of  Charlcstown  married  Ann,  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam Brackenbury ;  he  was  a  sea-captain,  and  in  1669  master  of  the 
Dolphin;  Cotton  Mather  in  the  ^' Magjialia  Christi  Americana,^'  HI. 
183,  has  the  following  mention  of  him  in  the  life  of  the  Rev.  John 
Eliot  : 

"  There  was  a  Godly  Gentleman  of  Charlstown,  one  Mr.  Foster, 
who  with  his  Son,  was  taken  Captive  by  TarklslL  Enemies.  Much 
Prayer  was  employed,  both  privately  and  publickly,  by  the  good 
People  here,  for  the  Redemption  of  that  Gentleman ;  but  we  were 
at  last  informed,  that  the  Bloody  Prince,  in  whose  Dominions  he  was 
now  a  Slave,  was  resolved  that  in  his  Life-time  no  Prisoner  should 
be  relased;  and  so  the  Distressed  Friends  of  this  Prisoner  now 
concluded,  Our  Hope  is  lost!  Well,  upon  tiiis,  Mr.  Eliot,  in  some 
of  his  next  Prayers,  before  a  very  solemn  Congregation,  very  broadly 
beg'd,  Heavenly  Father,  work  for  the  Redemption  of  thy  poor  Servant 
Foster;  and  if  the  Prince  which  detains  him  ivill  not,  as  they  say,  dis- 
miss him  as  long  himself  lives.  Lord,  ive  p>ray  thee  to  kill  tJtat  Cruel 
Prince  ;  kill  him,  and  glorify  thy  self  i/pon  him.  And  now  behold  the 
Answer :  The  poor  Captiv'd  Gentleman  quickly  returns  to  us  that 
had  been  mourning  for  him  as  a  lost  Man,  and  brings  us  News,  that 
the  Prince  which  had  hitherto  held  him,  was  come  to  an  Untimely 
Death,  by  which  means  he  was  how  set  at  Liberty." 

The  dates  of  his  captivity  and  release  are  approximately  fixed. 
John  Hull  wrote  in  his  diary  1671  "  8  ber  21.  We  received  intelli- 
gence that  William  Foster,  master  of  a  small  ship,  was  taken  by  the 
Turks  as  he  was  going  to  Bilboa  with  fish.  (He  was  redeemed,  and 
came  home  9ber  1673.)"  Rev.  Samuel  Danforth  of  Roxbury  wrote, 
"21.  8"".  1671  We  heard  y®  sad  &  heavy  Tiding  concerning  y**  cap- 
tivity of  Capt.  Foster  &  his  sonn  at  Sally."  "  1673.  3"».  Tidings 
concerning  the  redemjjtion  of  m""  Foster  of  Charlstown  fro  captivity 
after  neer  18  moneth  slavery  and  his  return  to  London,  his  sonn 
William  coming  home  to  his  mother  at  Charlestown,  having  been 
his  father's  companion  in  bondage."  "  1673.  1.  10'".  Captain  Foster 
returned  home  after  his  Captivity."  In  the  "  American  Historical 
Record  "  for  September,   1872,  was  printed  a  poem  written  by  the 

*  See  New  England  Historical  and  Genealogical  Register,  XXV,  67. 


EARLY   WILLS.  67 

Rev.  Michael  Wigsjlesworth  "Upon  y®  return  of  my  dear  friend  M"" 
Foster  w*"^  his  son  out  of  captivity  under  y'^  Moors." 

28  April,  1695,  he  was  chosen  Deacon  of  the  Church  of  Charles- 
town,  but  "  excused  himself  because  of  y''  Infirmity  of  his  Age."  His 
good  social  position  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  his  son  Isaac  stood 
first  in  rank  in  a  class  of  eleven  at  Harvard  College.  He  died  8 
May,  1698,  called  on  town-record  "  Navegat^  aged  about  80  years"; 
she  died  22  September,  1714.  His  will  is  printed  page  36.  Chil- 
dren, born  at  Charlestown : 

i.  William,  b. ;  only  known  as  taken  prisoner  with  his  father. 

ii.  Isaac,  b.  in  1652;  Harvard  College  1671,  Rev.;  Fellow  of  Harvard 
College  22  May,  1 678 ;  Freeman  of  Massachusetts  2  October,  1  678 ; 
in  1680  was  settled  over  the  P^irst  Church  of  Hartford,  Conn.; 
m.  the  same  year  Mehitable,  daughter  of  Samuel  Wyllis  of  Hart- 
ford, widow  of  Daniel  Russell  of  Charlestown,  by  whom  he  had 
a  daughter  Ann;*  d.  20  August,  1682;  she  m.  thirdly  Rev. 
Timothy  Woodbridge,  his  successor  in  the  church  of  Hartford; 
d.  21  December,  1698. 

iii.  Sarah,  b.  in  1654;  m.  Benjamin  Moore  of  Charlestown;  he  d.  in 
1680,  and  she  m.  secondly  9  August,  1682,  Zechariah  Long  of 
Charlestown  ;  he  d.  28  March,  1688,  and  she  m.  thirdly  24  Sep- 
tember, 1690,  Caleb  Stanly  of  Hartford,  Conn. ;  d.  30  August, 
1698. 

iv.  John,  b.  15  July,  1656;  d.  19  December,  1659. 

V.  Ann,  b.  in  1658;  m.  Eleazer  Phillips  of  Charlestown;  d.  1  Decem- 
ber, 1695;  hed.  29  April,  1709. 

vi.  Mary,  b.  in  1660;  m.  8  August,  1676,  James  Smith  of  Charlestown; 
he  d.  18  September,  1678,  and  she  m.  secondly   18  April,  1681, 
Timothy  Phillips  of  Charlestown ;    d.   30  April,   1755;    he  d.  7 
May,  1712. 
vii.  Richard,  b.  10  August,  1663.  2 

viii.  Elizabeth,  b.  5  April,  1665;    m.  5  July,  1692,  Isaac  Goose  or  Ver- 
goose,  of  Boston;  d.?  in  1757;  he  d.  29  November,  1710. 

ix.  John,  b.  10  August,  1666;  m.  at  Charlestown  31  May,  1692,  Sarah 
Richardson  of  Newbury,  by  whom  he  had  four  daughters  ;t  she 
d.,  and  he  m.  secondly  at  Boston  22  September,  1718,  Esther 
Lothrop  ;  was  a  sea-captain  ;  d.  14  June,  1723  ;  she  m.  secondly 
12  September,  1726,  Francis  Norwood  of  Gloucester. 

X.  Deborah,  b.  28  February,  1668;  d.  22  April,  1668. 

2.  II.  Richard  Foster,  fourth  son  of  William,  born  at  Charles- 
town 10  August,  1663;   married  4  May,  1686,  Parnel,  daughter  and 

*  She  m.  29  November,  1699,  Rev.  Thomas  Buckingham  of  Hartford,  who  d.  19  Novem- 
ber, 1731,  and  she  m.  secondly  Rev.  William  Burnham  of  Kensington,  Conn. ;  d.  in  1765: 
he  d.  23  September,  1750. 
t  The  daughters  v^ere : 
i.  Abigail,  b.  at  Charlestown,  20  April,  1693;  m.  11  May,  1710,  Jabez  Salter  of  Boston ; 

he  d.  and  she  m.  secondly  15  December,  1715,  Edward  Craft  of  Boston. 
ii.  Sarah,  b.  at  Charlestown  31  August,  1696;  d.  15  March,  1698. 
iii.  Mary,  b.  at  Boston  15  August,  1698;    m.  26  June,  1717,  Robert  Newell  of  Boston; 

he  d.,  and  she  m.  secondly  15  January,  1732,  Samuel  White  of  Boston. 
iv.  Elizabeth,  b.  about  1713;  m.  13  November,  1735,  John  Smart  of  Boston;  he  d.,  and 
she  m.  secondly  14  February,  1740,  Sendall  Williams  of  Boston. 


68  EARLY   WILLS. 

heiress  of  Isaac  Winslow;  was  a  sea-captain;  died  in  1745;  she 
died  in  1751.  His  will  is  printed  page  43.  Children,  born  at 
Charlestown  : 

i.  Parnel,  b.  23  February,  1687;  d.  U  November,  1687. 

ii.   Richard,  b.  28  November,  1689;  d.  11  February,  1694. 

iii.  Mary,  b.  16  February,  1692;  m.  9  December,  1712,  Samuel  Gary 
of  Charlestown;  d.  23  December,  1718  ;  he  d.  27  February,  1741. 

iv.  Richard,  b.  23  March,  1694;  m.  Sarah,  daughter  of  John  Emerson 
of  Charlestown,  by  whom  he  had  four  children;*  she  d.  16 
November,  1724,  and  he  m.  secondly  21  October,  1725,  Mary, 
dauiibter  of  John  Foye  of  Charlestown,  by  whom  he  had  eleven 
children;*  was  High-Sheriff  of  Middlesex,  1731-64,  Associate 
Justice  of  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  Middlesex,  1764-71;  d. 
29  August,  1774  ;-f  she  d.  26  October,  1774. 

V.  Parnel,  b.  25  August,  1696;  m.  in  1718  John  Codman  of  Charles- 
town; d.  15  September,  1752;  he  d.  in  1755. 

vi.  Ann,  b.  8  November,  1699;    m.    6   November,   1721,   Rev.  Daniel 
Perkins  of  Bridgewater;    d.  7  July,  1750  ;    he  d.  29  September, 
1782. 
vii.  Sarah,  b.  16  November,  1701 ;    m.  19  July,  1723,  Dr.  Peter  Calef 

of  Charlestown,  who  d.  11  October,  1735. 
viii.  Isaac,  b.  3  January,  1704.  3 

ix.  Elizabeth,  b.  21  August,  1706;  m.  Timothy  McDaniel  of  Charles- 
town; d.  22  October,  1766;  he  d.  10  November,  1766. 

X.  Katharine,  b.  6  April,  1713;  d.  11  February,  1716. 

3.  III.  Isaac  Foster,  younojest  son  of  Richard,  born  at  Charles- 
town 3  January,  1704;  married  24  August,  1732,  Eleanor,  daughter 
of  William  Wyer ;  was  a  sea-captain,  making  frequent  voyages  be- 
tween Boston  and  Europe,  and  afterwards  a  merchant;  was  a  promi- 
nent citizen  of  Charlestown,  taking  an  active  part  in  public  affairg 
during  the  years  just  before  the  Revolution,  and  his  name  often 
occurs  in  the  History  of  the  Town;  after  the  burning  of  Charlestown 
he  lived  at  Boston,  where  he  died  27  December,  1780;  she  died 
at  Charlestown  5  March,  1798.     Children,  born  at  Charlestown: 

i.  William,  b.  27  May,  1733;  Harvard  College  1752;  d.  3  December, 
1759. 

*  Of  these  fifteen  children,  two  died  in  infancy,  five  others  certainly  died  unmarried; 
the  other  eif,'lit  were  all  daugliters  and  born  at  Charlestown,  viz.: — 

i.  Sarah,  1).  in  1718;  m.  22  March,  1738,  Samuel  Bradstreet  of  Charlestown ;  d.  in  1802; 

he  d.  in  175-5. 
ii.  Mary,  b.  in  1722;    m.  18  June,  1741,  Jolm  Breed  of  Charlestown,  who  d,  in  1755, 

and  she  ra.  secondly  25  April,  1765,  John  White  of  Charlestown;  d.  in  1814. 
iii.  Elizabeth,  b.  17  September,  1726;  m.  9  December,  1748,  David  Chcever. 
iv.  Parnel,  li.  24  Aupust,  1729;  m.  13  October,  1763,  Richard  Boylston  of  Charlestown ; 

d.  28  July,  1796;  he  d.  30  June,  1807. 
V.  Hannah,  b.  in  1731;  m.  22  November,  1753,  Ebenezer  Kent  of  Charlestown;  d.  soon; 

he  d.  in  1767. 
vi.  Ann,  b.  24  July,  1736;   m.  29  October,  1767,  John  Austin  of  Charlestown;    d.  27 

January,  1798;  he  d.  16  October,  1824. 
vii.  Katharine,  b.  in  1738;    m.  in  1772,  John  Sprague  of  Lancaster,  C.  J.  C.  C.  P.  for 

Worcester;  d.  at  Lancaster  5  May  1787;  he  d.  28  September,  1800. 
viii.  Abigail,  b.  in  1739  or  1740;  m.  22  September,  1768,  Isaac  Codman. 
t  An  engraving  of  his  tomb,  with  a  Foster  coat  of  arms,  may  be  seen  in  the  Hekaldic 
Journal  for  1865. 


EARLY   WILLS.  69 

ii.  Isaac,  b.  in  1738;  d.  young. 

iii.  Isaac,  b.  28  August,  1740;  Harvard  College  1758;  m.  4  July, 
1765,  Martha,  daughter  of  Thaddeus  Mason  of  Cambridge,  by 
whom  he  had  three  daughters;*  she  died  21  September,  1770, 
and  he  m.  secondly,  8  September,  1771,  Mary,  daughter  of  Richard 
Russell  of  Charlestown,  by  whom  he  had  two  daughters  ;*  was  a 
physician,  and  a  prominent  citizen;  member  of  the  first  Provin- 
cial Congress  of  Massachusetts  in  October,  1774;  surgeon  in  the 
service  of  the  United  Colonies,  1775-80;  d.  at  Boston  27 
February,  1781  ;t  she  m.  secondly,  8  June,  1783,  John  Hurd  of 
Boston,  and  d.  14  January,  1786. 

iv.  Thomas,  b.  in  1741;  d.  young. 
V.  Edward,  b.  in  1744;  d.  young. 

vi.  Eleanor,  b.  4  August,  1746.  4 

vii.  Richard,  b.  in  1748;  d.  young. 

4.  lY.  Eleanor  Foster,  only  daughter  of  Isaac,  born  at  Charles- 
town,  4  August,  1746;  married  at  Charlestown  30  October,  1769, 
Dr.  Nathaniel  Coffin  of  Portland;  died  at  Portland  8  September, 
1822;  he  died  18  October,  1826. 

The  following  notice  appeared  in  the  Continental  Journal  of 
Thursday,  4  January,  1781 : 

On  Wednesday  evening  the  27th  ult.  died  at  his  House  in  Back 
Street,  of  a  paralitic  disorder,  Capt.  Isaac  Foster,  aged  78,  late  of 
the  unfortunate  town  of  Charlestown.  This  Gentleman  early  in  life 
entered  into  the  Sea  service,  in  which  his  diligence,  activity  and 
fidelity,  soon  raised  him  to  a  considerable  command,  after  having 
made  near  forty  voyages  to  Europe,  as  commander  of  a  vessel,  he 
returned  to  his  family  to  remain  with  them,  and  promised  himself 
in  his  old  age,  a  rich  enjoyment  with  his  friends  and  family,  of  the 
labours  of  his  youth ;  in  this  wish  he  was  in  a  great  measure  indulged, 
and  was  honored  with  the  principal  offices  of  the  town  he  resided  in, 
until  the  commencement  of  hostilities  between  Great-Britain  and 
America ;  upon  which  he  took  an  open  and  active  part  in  the  cause 
of  his  country,  by  the  destruction  of  Charlestown,  at  the  memorable 
battle  of  Bunker-Hill,  he  was  striped  of  great  part  of  his  hard  earned 
property,  and  driven  from  his  home.  What  was  most  distinguishing 
in  his  character,  was  a  truly  catholic  disposition,  which  inclined  him 
to  think  the  best  of  all  sects  of  christians,  a  benevolence  of  heart, 

*  The  daughters  were : 
i.  Martha,  b.  at  Charlestown  11  May,  1766;  d.  4  May,  1768. 

ii.  Eleanor,  b.  at  Charlestown  4  November,  1767 ;  m.  8  January,  1804,  Thomas  Bellows 
of  Walpole,  N.  H.;  d.  29  August,  1840;  he  d.  18  April,  1848. 

iii.  Martha,  b.  at  Charlestown  19  September,  1769;  d.  young. 

iv.  Mary  Beal,  b.  at  Charlestown  17  August,  1774;  m.  in  1792  William  Pratt  of  Boston, 
afterwards  of  Liverpool,  England,  where  she  d.  15  August,  1836 ;  he  d.  5  Feb- 
ruary, 1842. 

V.  Nancy  or  Ann,  b.  at  Boston  9  October,  1777;  ra.  at  Walpole,  N.  H.,  28  May,  1819, 
Edward  Reynolds  of  Boston ;  d.  1  January,  1866 ;  he  d.  2  November,  1848. 

t  See  in  Atlantic  Monthly  for  May,  1859,  "  A  Bundle  of  Old  Letters."    With  him  seems 
to  have  ended  the  male  line  of  descendants  of  William  Foster. 

7 


70  EARLY    WILLS. 

that  made  liiin  always  ready  to  assist  the  distressed,  a  love  to  his 
country,  wliicli  disposed  him  to  make  the  greatest  sacrifices  in  its 
service ;  but  above  all,  an  uncommon  openness,  honesty  and  integrity 
of  mind,  which  alone,  if  there  is  any  justice  in  Mr.  Pope's  remark, 
is  no  small  character, 

''A  Wit's  a  Feather,  and  a  Chief's  a  Rod, 
An  honest  Man's  the  noblest  work  of  God." 


The  Brackenbury  Family. 

William  Brackenbury,  born  in  England  about  1602,  was  among 
the  early  settlers  of  New  England,  coming  probably  in  the  fleet  with 
Winthrop,  1 630,  with  wife  Ann  and  daughter  Ann  ;  lived  at  Charles- 
town;  was  one  of  those  desiring  to  be  made  Freemen  19  October, 
1630,  but  was  not  Freeman  till  4  March,  1633;  was  Constable  of 
Charlestown  1638,  and  Selectman;  moved  to  Maiden,  where  he  was 
a  prominent  citizen;  had  a  second  wife  Alice;  died  in  August,  1668, 
aged  66;  she  died  28  December,  1670,  or  24  January,  1671,  aged 
10.     His  will  is  printed  page  23.     Children : 

i.  Ann,  b.  in  England  about  1629.  2 

ii.  Mary,  b.  at  Charlestown  in  1634;    m.  John   Ridgway   of  Maiden; 

d.  24  December,  1670. 
ill.  Samuel,  b.  at  Charlestown  10  February,  1646;  Harvard  College 
.1664;  Freeman  7  May,  1673;  was  a  physician,  but  preached  at 
Rowley  two  years,  probably  about  1669-71 ;  m.  Mercy,  daughter 
of  Rev.  Michael  Wigglesworth  of  Maiden,  by  whom  he  had  chil- 
dren ;*  lived  at  Maiden,  but  moved  to  Boston,  where  he  d.  16 
January,  1678;  she  m.  secondly  Rev.  Samuel  Belcher  of  Ipswich, 
and  d.  14  November,  1728. 

2.  II,  Ann  Brackenbury,  eldest  child  of  William,  born  in 
England  about  1629;  was  undoubtedly  the  child  of  nine  years,  who 
figures  in  a  painful  adventure  in  the  Addenda  to  Winthrop's  History 
of  New  England  under  date  of  1637.  5.  3;  married  William  Foster; 
died  22  September,  1714,  aged  85;  he  died  8  May,  1698. 


The  Winslow  Family.j 

This  family  is  traced  back  with  sufficient  certainty  to  Kenelm 
Winslow  of  Kempsey,  Worcestershire,  England,  who  is  recorded 
as  living  in  1559,  and  several  years  before  and  after;  he  had  two 
sons,  Richard  and  Edward,  and  is  probably  the  same  person  as 
Kenelm  Winslow  of  St.  Andrew's  in  the  city  of  Worcester,  who  died 

•  See  New-Englaud  Historical  and  Genealogical  Register,  XLVI.,  178. 

t  See  Thacher's  History  of  Plj'mouth,  Deane's  History  of  Scituate,  the  New-England 
Historical  and  Genealogical  Register,  IV.  297,  XVII.  159,  XXI.  209,  XXV.  355,  XXVI.  69, 
and  the  Winslow  Memorial. 


EARLY    WILLS.  71 

in  1607,  leaving  wife  Katherine,  and  children  and  grandchildren. 
Unfortunately  for  our  positive  information  concerning  the  family, 
the  early  register  of  Kempsey  is  lost,  the  oldest  volume  dating  only 
from  1688;  the  early  register  of  St.  Andrew's,  Worcester,  is  also 
missing. 

Richard  Winslow,  son  of  Kenelm,  married  Alice,  daughter  of 
Edward  Hardman,  lived  at  Kempsey,  and  died  20  May,  1659, 
leaving  children. 

2.  II.  Edward  Winslow,  son  of  Kenelm,  married  at  St.  Bride's, 
Fleet  Street,  London,  4  November,  1594,  Magdalen  Oliver;  lived 
at  Droitwich,  Worcestershire ;  nothing  is  known  of  the  date  of  his 
death,  except  that  it  was  before  1631.     Children,  born  at  Droitwich  : 

i.  Edward,  b.  18  October,  1595;  joined  the  Pilgrims  at  Leyden  in 
Holland  in  1617;  m.  there  16  May,  1618,  Elizabeth  Barker; 
came  to  New  England  in  the  Mayflower,  1620;  his  wife  d.  at 
Plymouth  24  March,  1621,  and  he  m.  secondly,  12  May,  1621, 
Susanna,  widow  of  William  White ;  lived  at  Marshfield,  was  often 
an  Assistant,  and  three  years  Governor  of  Plymouth  Colony; 
d.  on  an  expedition  against  the  Spanish  West  Indies  8  May,  1654, 
leaving  a  son  and  daughter;  she  d.  at  Marshfield  1  October,  1680. 

ii.  John,  b.  17  April,  1597.  3 

iii.  Elenor,  b.  23  April,  1598. 

iv.  Kenelm,  b.  2  May,  1599;  probably  came  to  New  England  in  1629; 
m.  in  June,  1634,  Elinor,  widow  of  John  Adams  of  Plymouth,  by 
whom  he  had  several  children ;  lived  at  Marshfield ;  d.  at  Salem 
12  September,  1672;  she  d.  at  Marshfield  5  December,  1681. 

V.  Gilbert,  b.  28  October,  1600;  came  in  the  Mayflower  1620;  lived 
only  a  few  years  at  Plymouth ;  returned  to  England,  where  he 
d.  before  1650. 

vi.  Elizabeth,  b.  1  March,  1602;  d.  in  1605. 
vii.  Magdalen,  b.  26  December,  1604. 

viii.  Josiah,  b.  11  February,  1606;  came  to  New  England  in  1631,  land- 
ing at  Saco ;  m.  at  Scituate,  where  he  lived  for  a  time,  Margaret 
Bourne,  by  whom  he  had  several  children ;  settled  at  Marshfield, 
where  he  d.  1  December,  1674;  she  d.  in  1683. 

3.  III.  John  Winslow,  second  son  of  Edward,  born  at  Droitwich 
n  April,  1597;  came  to  Plymouth  in  the  Fortune,  1623;  married 
about  1627  Mary,  daughter  of  James  Chilton;  moved  to  Boston  in 
1657;  was  a  signer  of  the  petition  of  1666  ;  died  in  1674;  she  died 
in  1679.  His  will  is  printed  page  24,  and  hers  page  27.  Children, 
all  probably  born  at  Plymouth  : 

i.  Susannah,  b. ;  m.  in  1649  Robert  Latham  of  Plymouth. 

ii.  Mary,  b.  in  1630  ;  m.  16  January,  1651,  Edward  Gray  of  Plymouth; 

d.  in  1663;  he  d.  in  June,  1681. 
iii.  John,  b. ;  m.  EHzabeth ,  by  whom  he  had  children  ; 

she  d.,  and  he  m.  secondly  Judith ;  d.  in  October,  1683. 

iv.  Edward,  b.  about  1634;    m.   Sarah,  daughter  of  William   Hilton, 

grand-daughter  of  Edmund  Greenleaf  (p.  55 j,  by  whom  he  had 


72  EARLY    WILLS. 

children  ;  she  d.  4  April,  1G07,  and  he  m.  secondly  Pilizabeth, 
daughter  of  Edward  Hutchiusoii,  by  whom  he  had  children  ;  d.  in 
1G82. 

V.   Sarah,  b. ;  m.  at  Boston  19  July,  1660,  Miles  Standish  ;  he 

d.  soon,  and  she  m.  secondly  in  November,  16G6,  Tobias  Payne; 
he  d.  12  September,  1009,  and  she  m.  thirdly,  in  1672,  Richard 
Middlecott;  d.  10  June,  1726;  he  d.  13  June,  1704. 

vi.  Joseph,  b. ;    m.   Sarah,  dausjliter  of  Thomas  Lawrence,  by 

whom  he  had  children  ;   moved  to  Long  Island;    d.  in  1679;  she 
m.  secondly  Charles  Labros. 
vii.  Samuel,  b.  in   1641;    m.   Hannah,  daughter  of  Walter    Briggs  of 

Boston,  by  whom  he  had  children  ;  d.  14  October,  1680.  4 

viii.  Isaac,  b.  about  1644. 
ix.  Benjamin,  b.  12  August,  1653;  d.  before  1676. 

4.  IV.  Isaac  Winslow,  fifth  son  of  John,  born  at  Plymouth  about 
164i;  married  at  Charlestown,  14  August,  1666,  Mary,  daughter 
of  Increase  Nowell ;  was  a  merchant;  died  at  Port  Royal,  Jamaica, 
in  August  1670;  she  married  secondly  10  September,  1674,  John 
Long  of  Charlestown;  died  in  1728.  His  will  is  printed  page  38, 
and  liers  page  38.     Children,  born  at  Charlestown; 

i.  Paruel,  b.  14  November,  1667.  5 

ii.  Isaac,  b.  22  July,  1670;  d.  24  or  25  August,  1670. 

5.  V.  Parnel  Winslow,  only  surviving  child  of  Isaac,  born  at 
Charlestown  14  November,  1667 ;  married  4  May,  1686,  Richard 
Foster;  died  in  1751  ;  he  died  in  1745. 


The  Chilton  Family. 

James  Chilton  came  to  Plymouth  in  the  Mayflower  in  1620  with 
his  wife  and  daughter  Mary.  He  died  on  board  8  December,  1620, 
and  his  wife  died  soon  after.  According  to  Gov.  Bradford's  record, 
"They  had  an  other  dough ter,  y'  was  married,  came  afterward."  The 
Rev.  Henry  M.  Dexter  found  on  the  records  of  Leyden  in  Holland  sev- 
eral entries  of  the  name  of  Chilton  in  curious  forms  of  Dutch  spelling. 
One  of  these  is  the  marriage  22  July,  1615,  of  Roger  Chandler 
clotli worker  from  Colchester  and  Isabella  Tgiltron  from  Canterbury. 
This  undoubtedly  gives  us  the  former  residence  of  James  Chilton, 
for  Roger  Chandler  is  found  later  at  Plymouth,  and  was  dead  in 
1665.  Mr.  Joseph  M.  Cowper  of  Canterbury,  who  has  carefully 
studied  the  registers  of  the  parish-churches  of  that  city,  and  edited 
some  of  them  lor  publication,  has  found  the  baptisms  and  burials  of 
several  children  of  a  James  Chilton  between  1584  and  1599.  Among 
them  are  the  baptism  of  an  Isabell  at  St.  Paul's  15  January  1587, 
and  the  burial  of  a  Mary  at  St.  Martin's  23  November,  1593. 
Unfortunately  he  has  not  yet  found  the  baptism  of  a  second  Mary, 


EARLY   WILLS.  73 

who  might  have  come  with  her  parents  to  New  England,  nor  has  he 
found  the  father  and  baptism  of  James  the  Pilgrim. 

Mary  Chilton,  daughter  of  James,  the  heroine  of  tradition  as 
the  first  to  leap  on  Plymouth  rock,  married  about  1627  John  Win- 
slow;  died  at  Boston  in  1679;  he  died  in  1674. 


The  Nowell  Family. 

Increase  Nowell  was  one  of  the  prominent  among  the  early 
founders  of  Massachusetts.  It  has  been  often  stated  that  "  his  father 
or  grandfather  was  brother  to  the  famous  Alexander  Nowell,  Dean 
of  St.  Paul's  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth,"  and  therefore  that  he 
belonged  to  the  very  respectable  family  of  Nowell  of  Read  and 
Great  Merlay,  in  the  parish  of  Whalley,  Lancashire,  England. 
Researches  made  for  me  have  as  yet  failed  to  prove  this  connection ; 
but  it  has  been  found  impossible  to  obtain  any  trace  of  certain 
nephews  of  Dean  Alexander  Nowell,  sons  of  his  brother  Laurence, 
Dean  of  Lichfield.     I  presume  one  of  them  was  father  of  Increase. 

The  first  mention  we  have  of  Increase  Nowell  is  a  bequest  in  the 
will  of  John  Hale  of  London,  grocer,  10  August,  1620:  "Item  I 
give  to  Gilbert  Marshall  and  Increse  Nowell  (yf  they  deliver  up 
orderlie  Accompts)  the  somme  of  tenne  poundes  apeece  to  be  payed 
in  five  yeres  after  my  decease."  He  was  one  of  the  grantees  named 
in  the  Royal  Charter  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  dated  4  March,  1629, 
and  he  appears  as  a  very  regular  attendant  at  the  meetings  of  the 
Government  in  England.  He  was  one  of  the  twelve  men,  who  signed 
the  agreement  at  Cambridge  in  August,  1629,  pledging  themselves  to 
go  to  New  England  by  March,  1 630.  He  was  then  living  at  Wap- 
ping,  London,  with  his  wife  Parnel,*  daughter  of  Thomas  Gray  of 

Harwich  in  Essex,  widow  of  Parker.     He  came  to  New 

England  in  the  great  fleet  in  1630.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
First  Church  of  Boston  or  Charlestown,  at  which  latter  town  he 
remained  when  the  Church  was  moved  to  Boston.  He  was  the 
principal  gentleman  among  those  who  stayed  at  Charlestown,  being 
the  only  one  dignified  with  the  title  Esq.  He  was  an  Assistant  in 
the  Government  of  Massachusetts  by  election  every  year  from  the 
first  till  his  death,  and  acted  as  Secretary  1636-50.  He  was  a 
Selectman  of  Charlestown  nearly  every  year  from  1635  till  his 
death.  He  was  chosen  Ruling  Elder  of  the  First  Church  at  its 
foundation,  but  in  1632  resigned  this  position,  which  was  thought 
not  compatible  with  his  civil  office.  Roger  Williams  wrote  to 
Gov.  Winthrop,  "  You  lately  sent  musick  to  our  cares,  when  we 
heard  you  perswaded  (&  that  effectually  &  successfully)  our  beloved 
Mr.  Nowell  to  surrender  up  one  sword." 

*  See  New  England  Historical  and  Genealogical  Register,  XXXIV,  253. 


74  EARLY    WILLS. 

In  1634  the  General  Court  granted  him  two  hundred  acres  of 
land  on  the  west  side  of  the  North  River,  otherwise  called  the 
Three  Mile  Brook.  In  1635  he  was  fined  ii/  iiij*^  for  selling 
wine,  but  a  note  in  the  margin  of  the  records  states  that  "it  was 
lefte  in  trust  w"'  him  by  a  friend,  to  sell  for  iiim."  In  1636  he  was 
one  of  the  Magistrates  to  keep  particular  Courts  for  Newe  Towne, 
Waterton,  Charlton,  Meadford  and  Concord.  In  1639  the  General 
Court  granted  him  500  acres  of  land  on  the  north  side  of  the  bounds 
of  Concord.  He  was  often  appointed  by  the  General  Court  to  serve 
on  important  committees,  and  in  1645  was  one  of  the  Committee 
for  the  County  of  Middlesex  '•  to  consid"^  of  &  drawe  up  a  body  of 
lawes,  &  p''sent  y""  to  y"  consid'"ation  of  y*'  next  Gen'"all  Co't."  In 
1653,  the  Court,  taking  heed  of  the  poor  condition  of  the  College, 
appointed  a  Committee,  of  which  Increase  Nowell  was  chairman, 
"  to  examine  the  state  of  the  colledge  in  all  respects,"  especially 
in  several  particular  points,  with  full  authority  to  act  in  all  the 
premises. 

Increase  Nowell  died  1  November,  1655,  and  the  same  month  the 
General  Court  passed  the  following  vote:  —  "Itt  is  desired,  that  the 
depu''*  of  each  toune  comend  the  condicon  of  M""  Nowells  family  to 
theire  severall  tounes,  in  referenc  to  some  meete  recorapence  for 
the  said  M""  Nowells  service,  by  way  of  rate  or  otherwise,  bringing 
theire  retournes  to  the  next  Court  of  Election."  In  October,  1656, 
"  The  Court,  being  sencible  of  the  lowe  condicon  of  the  late  honnor- 
ed  M""  Nowells  family,  &  remembring  his  long  service  to  this  com- 
onwealth,  in  the  place  not  only  of  a  magistrate,  but  secretary  also, 
for  w'=''  he  had  but  litle  and  slender  recompenc,  &  the  countries 
debts  being  such  as  out  of  the  country  rate  they  cannot  comfortably 
make  such  an  honnorable  recompenc  to  his  family  as  otherwise  they 
would,  judge  meete  therefore,  do  give  &  graunt  to  M"^'  Nowell  and 
hir  Sonne  Samuell  two  thowsand  acres  of  land,  to  be  laid  out  by  M"" 
Thomas  Danforth  and  Robert  Hale,  in  any  part  of  the  countrie  not 
yett  graunted  to  others,  in  two  or  three  farmes,  that  may  not  hinder 
any  plantacon  to  be  errected."  In  April,  1657,  the  two  thousand 
acres  were  laid  out  on  Cocheco  river  beyond  the  bounds  of  Dover. 
6  May,  1657,  the  Court  also  ordered  Messrs.  Danforth  and  Hale 
to  lay  out  for  Mr.  Nowell's  executors  the  three  tiiousand  two  hun- 
dred acres  of  land  granted  in  1650  to  Nowell  and  Thomas  Dudley, 
as  executors  of  the  will  of  Isaac  Johnson,  which  land  was  in  1664 
laid  out  in  Marlborough  bounds  near  Quansigamug  Pond. 

Edward  Johnson,  in  his  "  Wonder-working  Providence  of  Sions 
Saviour  in  New  England,"  1654,  wrote  thus  of  Increase  Nowell: — 

"Increase  shalt  thou,  witii  honour  now,  in  this  thy  undertaking. 
Thou  hast  remain'd  as  yet  unstaind,  all  errors  foule  forsaking; 

To  poore  and  rich,  thy  Justice  much  hath  manifested  bin: 
Like  Samuel  Nathanaell,  Christ  hath  thee  fram'd  within ; 

Thy  faithfulnesse,  people  expresse,  and  Secretary  they 


EARLY   WILLS.  75 

Chose  thee  each  year,  by  which  appeare,  their  love  with  thee 
doth  stay. 
Now  Nowell  see  Christ  call'd  hath  thee,  and  work  thou  must  for  him, 

In  beating  down  the  triple  Crown,  and  all  that  his  foes  ben. 
Thus  doest  thou  stand  by  Christ  fraile  man,  to  tell  his  might  can  make 

Dust  do  his  will,  with  graces  fill,  till  dust  to  him  he  take." 

The  Eev.  William  I.  Budington  spoke  thus  of  Increase  Nowell  in 
his  lectures  on  the  History  of  the  First  Church,  Charlestown :  — 
"  He  more  than  any  other  man,  may  be  considered  the  father  of  the 
church  and  the  town.  He  was  a  zealous  Puritan,  an  active  and 
devout  Christian,  and  deserves  to  be  held  in  grateful  esteem  by  the 
citizens  of  this  Commonwealth,  and  especially  by  the  inhabitants  of 
this  town." 

Parnell  Nowell,  his  widow,  died  at  Charlestown,  25  March,  1687, 
aged  84.     His  will  is  printed  page  29.     Children : 

i.  Joseph,  b.  at  Wapping,  London,  in  1629  ;  d.  in  1629. 

ii.  Increase,  b.  at  Charlestown  19  Novembor,  1630  ;  d.  6  March,  1632. 

ill.  Abigail,  b.  at  Charlestown  27  April,  1632  ;  d.  6  March,  1631:. 

iv.  Samuel,  b.  at  Charlestown  12  November,  1634;  Harvard  College 
1653,  Rev.;  Fellow  of  Harvard  28  February,  1655;  studied  for 
the  ministry,  but  was  never  settled ;  chaplain  to  the  army  in  the 
Narragansett  campaign  1675,  and  at  other  times;  in  1678 
preached  the  Artillery-Election  sermon,  which  was  printed; 
Freeman  of  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts  23  May,  1677  ;  an  As- 
sistant 1680-6,  a  Commissioner  of  the  United  Colonies  1684-6, 
Treasurer  of  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts  1685-6;  m.  Mary, 
daughter  of  William  Alford  of  Boston,  widow  first  of  Peter  But- 
ler of  Boston,  secondly  of  Hezekiah  Usher  of  Cambridge,  had  no 
children;  d.  in  London  in  September,  1688,  being  there  on 
behalf  of  the  Colony  ;  she  d.  at  Boston  4  August,  1693. 

V.  Eliezer,  b.  at  Charlestown  16  November,  1636;  d.  26  November, 
1636. 

vi.  Mehitable,  b.  at  Charlestown  2  February,  1638;  m.  16   September, 
1659,  William  Hilton  of  Charlestown  ;  he  d.  7  September,  1675, 
and  she  m.  secondly  29   October,  1684,  John    Cutler  of  Charles- 
town ;  d.  29  September,  1711;  he  d.  12  September,  1694. 
vii.  Increase,  b.  at  Charlestown  in  1640  ;  a  sailor,  of  whom  no  more  is 

known, 
viii.  Mary,  b.  at  Charlestown  26  May,  1643.  2    • 

ix.  Alexander,  b.  at  Charlestown  in  1645;  Harvard  College  1664; 
Fellow  of  Harvard  28  November,  1666 ;  Freeman  31  May, 
1671;  was  author  of  several  almanacs;  d.  13  July,  1672,  "after 
long  sicknesse  and  furious  distraction  and  madnesse,"  according 
to  the  Rev.  Samuel  Danforth. 

2.  n.  Mary  Nowell,  youngest  daughter  of  Increase,  born  at 
Charlestown  26  May,  1643;  married  14  August,  1666,  Isaac 
Winslow;  he  died  in  August,  1670,  and  she  married  secondly  10 
September,  1674,  John  Long  of  Charlestown,  and  had  children;  she 
died  in  1728;  he  died  20  July,  1683. 


76  EARLY   WILLS. 


The  Wyer  Family.* 

Edward  Wyer,  a  Scotcliman,  born  about  1G22,  is  first  found  in 
New  P]n,i^Iand  at  Charlestown  in  1G58;  he  married  5  January,  1659, 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William  Johnson ;  died  3  May,  1693,  aged 
71,  called  on  town  record  "an  aged  Scotsman";  she  married  sec- 
ondly before  1697  William  Munroe  of  Cambridge  and  Lexington; 
died  14  December,  1715.  His  will  is  printed  page  40.  Children, 
born  at  Charlestown : 

i.  Elizabeth,  b.  10  November,  1G59;  m.  Benjamin  Mirick  of  Charles- 
town. 

ii.  Edward,  b. ;  m.  1    September,  1084,    Abigail,    daughter  of 

John  Lawrence  of   Charlestown ;  d.  soon,  and    she    m.    secondly 

25  December,  1689,  Nicholas  Lawrence  of  Charlestown;  he  d. 
28  February,  1711,  and  she  m.  thirdly  Edward  Clifford;  d.  11 
February,  1727. 

iii.  Robert,  b.  10  February,  1664;  m.  26  June,  1688,  Elizabeth,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Fowle  of  Charlestown;  she  d.  20  January,  1690,  and 
he  m.  secondly  Ruth,  daughter  of  John  Johnson  of  Haverhill,  by 
whom  he  had    several    children;  d.  14  November,    1709;  she  d. 

26  December,  1742. 

iv.  Hannah,  b.  in  1665;  m.  15  December,  1686,  Nathan  Dunkin  or 
Dunklin  of  Charlestown. 

V.  Katharine,  b.  5  December,  1666;  m.  Jonathan  AVelch  of  Charles- 
town; d.  4  February,  1709. 

vi.  Nathaniel,  b.  14  June,  1668  ;  probably  d.  young. 

vii.  Ruhamah,  b.  24  December,  1670;  m.  in  1696  John  Hill  of  Boston, 
viii.  Eliezer,  b.  12  December,  1672;  m.  Catharine,    daughter    of    Jona- 
than Wade  of  Medford,  by  whom  he  had  several  children ;  lived 
at  Medford,  perhaps  moved  to  Dover,  N.  H. 

ix.  Zachariah,  b.  16  March,  1676;  m.  at  Concord  7   June,  1698,  Mary 
Jones,  by  whom  he  had  children,  born  at  Boston;  lived  at  Bos- 
ton; d.  23  November,  1717. 
X.  Sarah,  b.  5  March,  1678;  m.  John  Fillebrowu. 

xi.  William,  b.  3  October,  1680.  2 

2.  II.  William  Wyer,  youngest  child  of  Edward,  born  at 
Charlestown  3  October,  16S0;  married  26  October,  1701,  Eleanor, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Jcnner ;  was  a  sea-captain ;  died  in  February, 
1749;  she  died  in  December,  1747.  His  will  is  printed  page  45. 
Children : 

i.  William,  b.  at  Boston  26  March,  1703;  d.  at  Charlestown  7  Feb- 
ruary, 1710. 
ii.  Thomas,  b.  at  Charlestown  14  October,  1704;  m.  12  November, 
1724,  Katharine,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Dowse  of  Charlestown, 
by  whom  he  had  children  ;  d.  before  1747  ;  she  m.  secondly  12 
May,  1747,  Isaac  Johnson  of  Charlestown;  d.  at  Concord  8 
November,  1782. 

*  See  New  England  Historical  and  Genealogical  Register,  XXV,  246,  XLVI,  178,  and 
Wymau's  Genealogies  and  Estates  of  Charlestown. 


EARLY   WILLS. 


77 


iii.  Edward,  b.  at  Charlestown  8  July,  1706  ;   m.  Elizabeth ,  by 

whom  he  had  a  daughter ;  she   d.    28    June,    1730,    and    he  m. 
secondly ,  and  had  Edward,*  b.  in  1751. 

iv.  William,  b.  at  Charlestown  11  July,  1710  ;  d.  17  December,  1721. 
V.  David,  b.  at    Charlestown    24   February,    1712;  m.    2    February, 
1739,  Rebecca,  daughter  of  Daniel    Russell    of    Charlestown,  by 
whom  he  had  several  children  ;  moved  to  Falmouth,  Me.f 

vi.  Eleanor,  b.  at  Charlestown  14  July,  1714.  3 

3.  III.  Eleanor  Wyer,  only  daughter  of  William,  born  at 
Charlestown  14  July,  1714;  married  24  August,  1732,  Isaac  Fos- 
ter; died  5  March,  1798;  he  died  at  Boston  27  December,  1780. 


The  Johnson  Family.  | 

William  Johnson  with  wife  Elizabeth  settled  at  Charlestown  in 
1634;  was  Freeman  of  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts  4  March, 
1635;  was  a  brickmaker;  died  9  December,  1677;  she  married 
secondly  24  October,  1679,  Thomas  Carter  of  Charlestown;  died 
6  October,  1684.     His  will  is  printed  page  30.     Children: 

i.  John,  b.  in  1633;  m.  at  Charlestown  15  October,  1656,  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Elias  Maverick,  by  whom  he  had  children ;  she  d. 
22  March,  1674,  and  he  ra.  secondly  3  March,  1675,  widow  Sarah 
GilloofLynn;  she  d.  24  July,  1676,  and  he  m.  thirdly  8  Sep- 
tember, 1680,  Catharine,  daughter  of  Skipper,  widow  of 

John  Maverick  of  Charlestown;  moved  in  1658  to  Haverhill, 
where  he  lived,  and  with  his  wife  was  killed  by  Indians  29  Au- 
gust, 1708. 

ii.  Ruhamah,  b.  at  Charlestown  in  1635;  m.  25  April,  1654,  John 
Knight  of  Charlestown  ;  probably  d.  in  1659  ;  he  d.  1  December, 
1714. 

iii.  Joseph,  b.  at  Charlestown  in  1637;  m.  19  April,  1664,  Mary 
Soatlie  of  Charlestown  ;  she  d.  22  March,  1665,  and  he  m.  sec- 
ondly in  1666  Hannah,  daughter  of  Thomas  Tenny  of  Rowley, 
by  whom  he  had  children  ;  lived  at  Haverhill ;  d.  18  November, 
1714. 

iv.  Elizabeth,  b.  at  Charlestown  in  1639.  2 

v.  Jonathan,  b.  at  Charlestown  in  1641  ;  m.  at  Marlborough  14  Octo- 
ber, 1663,  Mary  Newton,  by  whom  he  had  children;  soldier 
1676;  Hved  at  Marlborough;  d.  21  April,  1712;  she  d.  28 
December,  1728. 

vi.  Nathaniel,  b.  at  Charlestown  about  1643;  m.  24  November,  1668, 
Joanna  Long  of  Cambridge,  by  whom  he  had  children ;  d. 
about  1678;  she  m.  secondly  10  December,  1678,  Christopher 
Goodwin  of  Charlestown. 

*  This  Edward  m.  Alice ;  was  a  physician  ;  of  Halifax,  N.  S.,  1785,  afterwards  of 

Cambridge ;  d.  at  Menotomy  16  September,  1788,  leaving  Edward,   William    and  Alice, 
t  See  Sabine's  American  Loyalists. 
X  See  New  England  Historical  and  Genealogical  Register,  XXXIII. 


78  EARLY   WILLS. 

vii.  Zacliariah,  b.  at  Charlestown  in  1645;  m.  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
John  Jefts  of  Boston,  by  whom  he  had  children;  soldier  1675-6; 
moved  to  Boston,  where  he  d.  25  December,  1727  ;  she  d.  8 
April,  1717. 
viii.  Isaac,  b.  at  Charlestown  in  1649 ;  m.  22  November,  1671,  Mary, 
daughter  of  Nicholas  Stone  of  Boston,  by  whom  he  had  children  ; 
sohlier  1675-6;  d.  at  Charlestown  31  August,  1711;  she  d.  in 
1732. 

2.  II.  Elizabeth  Johnson,  younger  daughter  of  William,  bora 
at  Charlestown  in  1639;  married  5  January,  1659,  Edward  Wyer; 
he  died  3  May,  1693,  and  she  married  secondly  before  1697  Wil- 
liam Munroe  of  Cambridge  and  Lexington;  died  14  December, 
1715;  he  died  27  January,  1718. 


The  Jenner  Family.* 

Tlic  publication  by  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  Volume 
XXXVII.  355,  of  letters  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Jenner  attracted  my 
attention  to  him,  and  it  soon  appeared  that  descendants  from  him 
are  living  in  this  country.  He  was  probably  born  in  one  of  the 
Eastern  Counties  of  England,  where  he  may  also  have  been  a  settled 
clergyman.  The  Rev.  Robert  Stansby,  who  wrote  of  Mr.  Jenner  in 
1637  in  a  letter  in  the  above-mentioned  volume,  may  have  meant 
the  emigrant,  and  have  been  ignorant  of  his  departure  from  England. 

He  came  to  New  England  about  1635,  and  soon  became  the 
minister  of  Weymouth,  where  eighteen  acres  of  land  were  granted 
to  him  in  June,  1636;  he  was  Freeman  of  the  Colony  of  Massa- 
chusetts 8  December,  1636.  From  an  expression  of  the  Rev. 
Stephen  Bachiler,  on  page  104  of  the  volume  quoted  before,  I  judge 
him  to  have  been  somewhat  advanced  in  life  at  the  time  of  his 
coming.  His  ministry  at  Weymouth  was  unfortunate ;  Winthrop 
and  Hubbard  mention  the  diiferences  between  the  people  and  Mr. 
Jenner.  In  the  latter  part  of  1640  he  moved  to  Saco,  where  he  is 
thought  to  have  been  the  first  settled  minister.  His  arrival  was 
regarded  with  favor  by  Thomas  Gorges  and  Richard  Vines,  and  the 
People  "willingly  contributed  for  his  stipend  47  li.  per  annum." 
He  had,  however,  some  "  hot  discourses,  especially  about  the  cere- 
monies," and  28  March,  1646,  he  wrote  to  Governor  Winthrop, 
"  Mr.  Vines  is  fallen  out  with  me  bitterly,  and  threatens  me  to  my 
face,  when  time  shall  serve."  He  thereupon  resigned  his  ministry, 
and  soon  left  Saco. 

We  next  hear  of  him  in  England  in  October,  1650,  and  April, 
1651,  as  living  in  Norfolk,!  and  compelled  by  poverty  to  part  with 
his  library,  which  was  sold  to  the  Corporation  for  the  Propagation 

*  See  New  England  Historical  and  Genealogical  Register,  XIX.,  246. 
t  See  Hutchinson's    Collection  of  Original  Papers,  I.  257  &  260,  and  Hazard's  State 
Papers,  II.  180  &  187. 


EARLY   WILLS. 


79 


of  the  Gospel  in  New  England.*  The  name  of  his  wife  is  unknown, 
and  the  date  of  his  death;  he  had  certainly  three  children,  two 
daughters,  who  are  known  only  from  one  of  his  letters,  and  a  son 
Thomas. 

2.  II.  Thomas  Jbnner,  junior,  probably  came  to  New  England 
with  his  father,  and  received  at  the  same  time  forty-five  acres  of  land 
at  Weymouth;  was  Freeman  6  September,  1639,  and  was,  I  doubt 
not,  the  Deputy  to  the  General  Court  in  1640;  in  1636  he  was 
also  admitted  an  inhabitant  of  Charlestown,  where  we  find  him  in 
1649.  The  following  deed  is  found  in  the  first  volume  at  the 
Suffolk  Registry,  and  in  the  first  volume  of  "  Estates  "  at  the  State 
House :  — 

"28(10)  1649  Thomas  Jenner  of  Charlestowne  granted  unto 
Elder  Edw.  Bates  &  John  Whitman  of  Waymouth  one  dwelling 
house  at  Waymouth  (now  in  possession  of  John  King)  two  orchyards 
&  twenty-one  Acres  adjoyning  more  or  lesse,  also  twelve  Acres  at 
the  westerne  neck  be  it  more  or  lessc,  also  half  an  Acre  uppon 
Grape  Hand  be  it  more  or  lesse,  also  fourty  Acres  w'^  is  his  owne 
gp  lott  be  it  more  or  lesse,  &  eighteene  Acres  w'^''  was  his  fathers. 
Also  the  round  marsh  being  foure  Acres  more  or  lesse  and  one 
Acre  of  fresh  marsh  adjoyning,  &  six  Acres  of  marsh  above  the 
fresh  pond,  &  a  wood  lott  on  hingham  side.  And  this  was  by  an 
absolute  deed  of  sale  dated  28  (10)  1649,  &  consented  to  by  m""^ 
Jenner  before  m""  Nowell." 

I  presume  his  wife  was  Esther  Jenner,  who  joined  the  Church  of 
Charlestown  9  July,  1648,  but  this  may  have  been  a  sister.  Ac- 
cording to  the  diary  of  Samuel  Sewall,  she  seems  to  have  married 
secondly  a  Mr.  Winsley,  and  to  have  been  his  widow  in  1686. 
Thomas  Jenner  had  certainly  two  children,  John  and  Thomas ;  I 
do  not  know  the  date  of  his  death  or  that  of  his  wife. 

John  Jenner,  undoubtedly  son  of  Thomas  of  Charlestown,  was  of 
Stratford,  Conn.,  before  1650,  and  was  one  of  the  original  founders 
in  1655  of  Brookhaven,  Long  Island,  which  was  settled  by  emigrants 
mostly  from  the  neighborhood  of  Boston ;  he  is  named  in  the  patent 
of  7  Ma}',  1666;  he  seems  to  have  married  Alice,  daughter  of 
Robert  Pigg  of  New  Haven,  by  whom  he  had  Mary,  b.  in  1648, 
Thomas,  b.  in  1651,  and  probably  John  and  Samuelf  of  Woodbury, 
Conn. ;  his  son  Thomas  of  Brookhaven  m.  at  Charlestown,  where 
his  cousins  lived,  9  July,  1685,  Marali,  daughter  of  Nicholas  March, 
and  had  there  Martha,  b.  29  May,  1687,  and  Elizabeth,  b.  in  1689. 

3.  III.  Thomas  Jenner,  son  of  Thomas  of  Charlestown,  born 
about  1630;  married  at  Charlestown  22  May,  1655,  Rebecca, 
daughter  of  Nicholas  Trerice ;  was  member  of  the  Artillery  Com- 
pany of  Boston  1673;  was    a  sea-captain,  and  made  regular  trips 

*  The  original  catalogue  of  the  library  is  in  Ms.  Rawlinson,  C.  934,  in  the  Bodleian 
Library  at  Oxford. 

t  For  descendants  of  this  Samuel  see  Cothren's  History  and  Genealogy  of  Ancient 
Woodbury,  and  History  of  Pittsford,  Vt. 


80  EARLY  WILLS. 

between  England  and  New  England;  was  a  prisoner  in  Africa  in 
1680.  He  seems  to  have  inherited  a  taste  for  the  ministry;  John 
Dunton,  who  came  to  Boston  as  his  passenger  in  1685,  describes 
him  thus :  —  "  Our  Captain,  Tho.  Jenner,  was  a  rough  Covetous 
Tarpaulin  ;  but  he  understood  his  Business  well  enou<j:h,  and  had 
some  smatf  rings  of  Divinity  in  hi  s  Head.  He  went  to  Prayers  very 
constantly,  and  took  upon  him  to  EXPOUND  the  Scriptures,  which 
gave  Offence  to  several  of  the  Passengers."  He  died  in  England 
in  the  autumn  of  1686;  *  in  1708  his  heirs  were  the  widow,  son 
David,  and  daughters  Rebecca  Lewis,  Elizabeth  Bur,  and  Elenor 
Wyer;  his  widow  desired  "allowance  for  the  Funcrall  Charges  of 
the  said  deceased,  paid  in  England,  X18  is  here  £22.10; "  she  died 
at  Charlestown  23  September,  1 722,  aged  86.  Children,  born  at 
Charlestown : 

i.  Rebecca,  b.  27  February,  1656;  m.  3  June,  1673,  Samuel  Lynde  of 
Charlestown;  he  d.  in  1681,  and  she  m.  secondly,  6  April,  1682, 
Robert  Lewis  of  Charlestown,  who  d.  before  170S. 
ii.  Thomas,  b.  20  September,  1658;  a  soldier  iu  the  Narragansett  cam- 
paign ;  d.  before  1 688. 
iii.  David,  b.  20  October,  1663;  m.  14  June,  1688,  Mabel,  daughter  of 
James  Russell  of  Charlestown,  by  whom  he  had  six  children  ;t  d. 
23  or  24  August,  1709. 
iv.  Sarah,  b.  17  July,  1667;  d.  24  August,  1667. 
V.  Samuel,  b.  18  March,  1669;  d.  before  1688. 
Klenor,  b.  11  February,  1671  ;  d.  young. 

Elizabeth,  b.  11  February,  1671;  m.  19  June,  1707,  Samuel  Bur 
of  Charlestown;  d.  in  1756;  he  d.  in  1719. 
viii.  Elenor,  b.  15  February,  1674.  4 

4.  IV.  Elenor  Jenner,  youngest  child  of  Thomas,  born  at 
Charlestown  15  February,  1674;  married  26  October,  1701,  William 
Wyer;  died  in  December,  1747;  he  died  in  February,  1749. 

*  "  Dec.  12.  Clutterbuck  arrives  [from  England]  and  brings  news  of  Capt.  Jenner's  death, 
wide.  Winsley's  son."    Samuel  Sewall's  diary, 
t  Of  these  six  children  three  died  young,  and  the  others  were; 
i.  Tlioinas,  Ij.  at  Charlestown  21  Decemlier,  1693.  1 

ji.  Elizalieth,  h.  at  Boston  27  July,  1696;    m.  29  September,  1715,  Ezekiel  Cheever  of 

Boston  ;  d.  5  May,  17'28  ;  he  d.  in  1770. 
iii,  Abigail,  1).  at  Boston  19  September,  1700 ;    m.  22  September,  1719,  Edward  Wyer  of 
Ciiarlestown ;  he  d.  soon,  and  she  m.  secondly,  29  November,  1722,  John  Stevens 
of  Boston;  d.  in  1782;  he  d.  in  1735. 
1.    Thomas  Jennek,  born  at  Ciiarlestown  21  December,  1693;    married  3  July,  1718, 
Joanna,  daughter  of  Samuel  Everton  of  Charlestown;   died  23  June,  1765  ;t   she  died  16 
May,  1771 ;  he  had  twelve  children,  born  at  Charlestown,  of  whom  seven  died  young;    the 
others  were : 

i.  Mabel,  b.  23  January,  1725;  m.  9  July,  1747,  Rev.  Samuel  Bird  of  Dorchester  and 

New  ilavcn  ;  d.  soon  :  he  d.  3  May,  1781. 
ii.  David,  b.  20  October,  1732;    Harvard  College  1753;    d.   1   July,   1754,  drowned  in 

crossing  the  ferry  alone  in  a  canoe. 
iii.  Joanna,  b.  in  January,  1734;    m.  1  March,  1753,  Edward  Games  of  Boston;   d.  21 

July,  1772;  he  d.  19  August,  1782. 
iv.  Samuel,  1).  3  November,  173.3;   m.  17  July,  1757,  Mary  Sherrard  of  Boston;  was  of 

Charlestown  1771,  but  1  know  no  more. 
V.  Abigail,  b.  in  February,  1744;  m.  at  Boston  1  November,  1764,  David  Goodwin;    d. 
26  May,  1811 ;  he  d.  21  January,  1825. 
X  An  engraving  of  his  tomb,  with  a  Jenner  Coat  of  Arms,  may  be  seen  in  the  Heraldic 
JouKNAL  for  1865. 


! 


early  wills.  81 

The  Teerice  Family.* 

Nicholas  Trerice,  undoubtedly  of  Cornish  origin,  was  admitted  an 
inhabitant  of  Charlestown  in  1 636 ;  had  wife  Rebecca ;  was  Captain 
of  the  "Planter,"  which  brought  many  immigrants  to  New  England 
in  1635;  in  1648  his  ship  was  taken  at  sea  by  Prince  Charles,  and 
carried  to  Holland,  where  it  was  offered  to  be  released  for  £2,000, 
but  its  fate  is  not  known;  he  died  in  1652;  she  married  secondly, 
6  December,  1665,  Thomas  Lynde  of  Charlestown;  died  8  Decem- 
ber, 1688.     Her  will  is  printed  page  32.     Children: 

i.  Elizabeth,  b. ;  m.  Thomas  Kemble  of  Charlestown  and  Bos- 
ton; cl.  19  December,  1712;  he  d.  29  January,  1689. 
ii.  Rebecca,  b.  in  1636.  2 

iii.  John,  b.  at  Charlestown  26  May,  1639;  m.  3  September,  1663, 
Hannah,  daughter  of  Thomas  Lynde  of  Charlestown,  by  whom 
he  had  children;  he  d.,  and  she  m.  secondly,  12  December,  1679, 
James  Kelling;  she  d.  30  December,  1690. 

iv.  Sarah,  b. ;  m.  10  August,  1666,  John  Goose  of  Charlestown; 

d.  in  November,  1686. 

V.  Samuel,  b.  at  Woburn  7  May,  1643;  probably  d.  young. 

2.  n.  Rebecca  Trerice,  probably  second  child  of  Nicholas,  bora 
in  1636;  married  22  May,  1655,  Thomas  Jenner;  died  23  Septem- 
ber, 1722,  aged  86;  he  died  in  1686, 


KaTHBRINE    (MyLES)   COYTMORE.f 

Katherine  Coytmore,  mother  of  Parnel  No  well  (p.  73),  came  to 
New  England  in  1636  or  1637,  and  died  at  Charlestown  28  Novem- 
ber, 1659,  an  aged  widow.  She  was  daughter  and  co-heiress  of 
Robert  Miles|  of  Sutton  in  Suffolk ;  married  Thomas  Gray  of  Har- 
wich in  Essex,  who  died  in  1607 ;  she  married  secondly,  at  Harwich, 
23  December,  1610,  Rowland  Coytmore  of  Wapping,  London,  who 
died  in  1626.  The  wills  of  both  her  husbands  are  already  in  print. 
Her  will  is  printed  page  9.     By  her  first  husband  she  had : 

i.  Susan,  b.  at  Plarwich  in  1593;  m.  Manuel   Eaglesfield  of  London, 

who  d.  in  1625;  she  d.  before  him. 
ii.  Thomas,  b.  at  Harwich  in  1595;  was  of  Wapping;  d.  in  1G27. 
iii.  Robert,  b.  at  Harwich  in  1598;  d.  in  1598. 

iv.  Parnel,  b.  about  1602;  m. Parker,  who  d.  in   1626,  leaving 

a  daughter;  she  m.  secondly  Increase  Nowell;   d.  at  Charlestown 
25  March,  1687;  he  d.  1  November,  1655. 
V.  Katherine,  b.  about  1604;   m.  Thomas  Graves;   d.  at  Charlestown 
21  February,  1682;  he  d.  31  July,  1653. 

*  See  New-England  Historical  and  Genealogical  Register,  XLVI,  173. 
t  See  New-England  Historical  and  Genealogical  Register,  XXXIV,  263. 
t  Alice,  tlie  otlier  daughter  and  co-heircss  of  Robert  Miles,  married  Thomas  Wiseman 
of  Canfield,  Essex,  and  was  aocestrcss  of  the  present  Sir  William  G.  E.  Wiseman,  Baronet. 


82  EARLY   WILLS. 

By  her  second  husband  she  probably  had : 

i.  Thomas,  b. ;  m.  at  Wapping  24  June,  1635,  Martha,  daugh- 
ter of  William  Rainsborough;  d.  by  shipwreck  27  December, 
1644;  she  m.  secondly,  in  December,  1647,  Gov.  John  Winthrop, 
who  d.  26  March,  1649;  and  she  m.  thirdly,  10  March,  1652, 
John  Coggan,  of  Boston,  who  d.  in  1658;  she  d.  in  1660. 

ii.  Elizabeth,  b.  ;    m.  William  Tyng,  who  d.  at  Boston  18 

January,  1653.  .  v**^) 

Rowland  Coytmore  had  a  first  wife  Dorothy,  daughter  of 

Lane,  widow  of  William  Harris,  whom  he  married  at  Wapping  28 
March,  1595,  and  by  whom  he  had: 

i.  Elizabeth,  b.  in  1596;  undoubtedly  d.  young, 
ii.  Sara, ;  ?  m.  William  Rainsborough,  and  d.  soon. 

Dorothy,  wife  of  Rowland  Coytmore,  had  by  her  first  husband 
William  Harris,  who  died  in  1592 : 

i.  William. 

ii.  Samuel. 

iii.  Susan,  b. ;  m.  at  Wapping  24  January,  1609,  William  Ball. 

iv.  Dorothy,  b.  ;  m.  at  Wapping  27  August,   1611,  Thomas 

Lamberton,  who  d.  in  1627. 


INDEX  OF  NAMES. 


Abbot,  48 

Adams,  41,  49,  71 

Alford,  75 

Appleton,  53,  62 

Atkinson,  51 

Austin,  40,  45,  47,  50,  68 

Bachiler,  78 

Bacon,  31 

Badger,  12,  20,  55 

Baker,  26 

Ball,  82 

Banfeeld,  38 

Barker,  54,  71 

Bartlet,  4,  12,  51,  52 

Baskervile,  61 

Bates,  79 

Baugh,  62 

Bayley,  11 

Beane,  59 

Belcher,  64,  70 

Bellingham,  8 

Bellows,  69 

Benjamin,  34 

Bird,  80 

Blanchard,  8,  65 

Blumfield,  20,  21 

Bourne,  71 

Bowers,  47 

Boylston,  68 

Boynton,  65 

Brackenbury,  23,  24,  66,  70 

Bradford,  72 

Bradstreet,  39,  68 

Brattle,  27 

Breed,  68 

Brigden,  38 

Briggs,  72 . 

Brocklebank,  51,  54,  57,  64 

Brown,   1,  2,  6,  11,  12,  13,  16, 

55,  63 
Buckingham,  67 
Budington,  75 
BuUivant,  33 


Bunker,  24,  50 
Bur,  80 
Burnham,  67 
Butler,  49,  75 
Bydes,  59 

Calef,  44,  68 

Canally,  53 

Carnes,  80 

Carter,  10,  77 

Gary,  39,  44,  68 

Chandler,  62,  72 

Cheever,  68,  80 

Chilton,  71,  72,  73 

Clark,  4,  6,  42,  56,  61 

Clement,  19 

Clifford,  76 

Clutterbuck,  80 

Codman,  39,  44,  53,  68 

Coffin,  1,  2,  4,  7,  11,  12,13,  22, 
23,  41,  42,  la,  50,  51,  52,.43, 
54,  55,  56,  57,  58,  61,  64,  69 

Coffley  58 

Coggan,  82 

Cogin,  10 

Coker,  3 

Collins,  61 

Colson,  52 

Cookery,  45 

Cothren,  79 

Cottle,  59 

Cowllman,  7 

Cowper,  72 

Coytmore,  9,  10,  29,  81,  82 

Cruft,  67 

Currier,  15 

Cutler,  31,  75 

Danforth,  30,  66,  74,  75 
Davis,  4,  19,  37 
Deane,  70 
Derby,  53 
Devens,  47,  48 
Dexter,  72 


84 


EARLY    WILLS. 


Dike,  3 

Dole,  8,  9,  11,  13,  14,  18,  19,20, 

21,  22,  23,  34,  36,43,51,54, 

5G,  GO,  63,  64,  65 
Downer,  12 
Dowse,  40,  46,  76 
Dudley,  74 
Dummer,  60 
Dunkin,  76 
Dunklin,  76 
Dun  ton,  80 

Eaglesfield,  81 
Easton,  20,  21 
Eliot,  66 
Emerson,  68 
Emery,  63,  65 
Emory,  11,  12 
Everton,  80 

Ferniside,  2 

Fillebrown,  76 

Foster,  23,  24,  36,  37,  38,  39,  40, 

43,  44,  45,  46,  47,  48,  53,  66, 

67,  68,  69,  70,  72,  77 
Fowle,  76 
Fownell,  9 
Foye,  68 
Franklin,  20 
Frost,  56 

Gardner,  65 

Gerrish,  14,  17,  56,  62,  64 

Gillo,  77 

Gimpson,  15 

Godfry,  19 

Goodale,  62 

Goodwin,  77,  80 

Goose,  32,  33,  37,  67,  81 

Gorges,  78, 

Graves,  10,  81 

Gray,  28,  71,  73,  81 

Green,  30 

Greenleaf,  1,  2, 12, 13, 14,  20,  50, 

51,  55,  56,  57,  64,  71 
Grele,  23 
Grey,  26 
Gutridge,  14 

Racket,  29 

Hains,  12 

Hale,  4,  7,  10,  11,  16,30,  36,  42, 

43,  52,  56,  59,  60,  61,  62,  63, 

65,  73,  74 


Hammond,  34 
Hands,  29 
Hardman,  71 
Harford,  52 
Harris,  26,  28,  82 
Haselrigg,  61 
Ilaselton,  52 
Hayward,  27,  29 
Hazard,  78 
Heard,  57 
Hibbins,  9 
Hill,  2,  55,  76 
Hills,  56 

Hilton,  1,  55,  71,  75 
Hobbes,  63 
Hooke,  12,  51 
Hooker,  7 
Hubbard,  78 
Hull,  66 
Hurd,  69 
Hutchins,  3 
Hutchinson,  59,  72,  78 
Hutchison,  10 

Illes,  24 
Ilsley  4,  17,  59 
Ingersoll,  58 

Jackman,  11 

Jaques,  5,  15,  16,  17,  58,  60,  63 

Jefts,  78 

Jenner,  32,  33,  76,  78,  79,  80,  81 

Jewett,  23,  60,  64 

Johnson,  30,  31,  45,  74,  76,  77, 

78 
Jones,  15,  41,  52,  76 
Jordan,  5G 
Joyliffe,  27 
Jurdaiue,  55 

Kelling,  81 

Kelly,  4,  5,  33,  58,  60,  65 
Kemble,  32,  33,  81 
Kent,  56,  57,  68 
Kettle,  31 
Keyes,  3 
King,  79 
Kirby,  59 

Knight,  4,  6,  12,  50,  57,  58,  60, 
63,  65,  77 

Labros,  72 
Lamberton,  82 


EARLY  WILLS. 


85 


Lane,  82 

Largin,  8,  9 

Latham,  25,  26,  28,  29,  71 

Lawrence,  72,  76 

Lemmon,  39 

Leversedge,  61 

Lewis,  80 

Little,  13,  51 

Long,  6,  11,  12,  38,  39,  40,  67, 

72,  75,  77 
Longfellow,  14 
Lord,  9,  34 
Lothrop,  67 
Lovelace,  50 
Lowell,  6,  7,  11,  12,  21,  58,  59, 

61,  62,  64 
Lyude,  32,  33,  34,  80,  81 
Lytleton,  61 

McDaniel,  44,  68 

March,  11,  12,  14,79 

Marchant,  52 

Marshall,  73 

Mason,  47,  48,  69 

Mather,  66 

Maverick,  77 

Mayhouse,  61 

Mayo,  53 

Middlecott,  25,  28,  29,  72 

Bliles,  81 

Milward,  62 

Mirick,  47,  48,  76 

Moffit,  4 

Moody,  3,  7,  13,  14,  20,  21,  22, 

51,  56,  57,  60,  64 
Moore,  2,  11,  12,  67 
Moreton,  45 

Morse,  3,  5,  7,  17,  51,  58 
Moulton,  40 
Mousall,  30 
Munroe,  76,  78 
Musgrave,  59 
Muzzy,  6 
Myles,  81 

Nash,  10 

Nelson,  21 

Newton,  77 

Norwood,  67 

Nowell,  10,  29,  30,  67,  72,  73, 

74,  75,  79,  81 
Noyes,  6,  11,  14,  17,  20,  21,  56, 

65 


Oliver,  62,  71 
Osolloway,  12 

Paddy e,  27 

Palfrey,  50 

Palmer,  9 

Parker,  10,  73,  81 

Payne,  25,  28,  72 

Pearson,  60,  65 

Percival,  61,  62 

Perkins,  44,  68 

Pettingell,  13,  42,  52 

Phillips,  37,  45,  67 

Phipps,  38 

Pierce,  4,  22,  56,  62,  63       ^"^ 

Pigg,  79 

Pike,  13,  14,  21,  51 

Piper,  56 

Plats,  54 

Plummer,  11,  12,  16,  36,  43,  63 

Pollard,  28 

Poor,  60 

Pope,  70 

Pratt,  33,  69 

Prentice,  48 

Prince,  53 

Rainsborough,  82 

Rand,  46 

Rawlinson,  79 

Reyner,  24 

Reynolds,  69 

Richardson,  4,  15,  67 

Ridgway,  23,  24,  70 

Ring,  19 

Rogers,  3 

Rolfe,  6,  7,  8,  9,  19,  22,  59,  64, 

65 
Rouse,  46 
Ruggell,  2 
Russell,  61,  67,  69,  77,  80 

Sabine,  77 
Salter,  67 
Saltonstall,  18 
Sanborn,  12,  50 
Saunders,  7,  19 
Scott,  41 
Scullard,  65 
Sergeant,  31 
Severance,  50 
Sewall,  4,  79,  80 
Shepheard,  10 


\ 


8Q 


EARLY   WILLS. 


Sherrard,  80 

Short,  17,  20,  21,  23 

Silver,  CO 

Simes,  30 

Skipper,  77 

Smart,  G7 

Smith,  12,  33,  67 

Soatlie,  77 

Somerby,  2,  3,  4,  5,  7, 13,50,  54, 

55,  56,  57,  58,  59,  63 
Spencer,  20 
Sprague,  24,  68 
Standish,  72 
Stanley,  37,  67 
Stansby,  78 
Starbuck,  50 
Starr,  11 
Steedman,  4 
Stevens,  49,  80 
Stickney,  54 
Stone,  78 
Stowres,  33 
Stratton,  41 
Sumner,  53 

Swett,  14,  42,  56,  60,  61 
Symes,  10 

Tailer,  27,  29 
Tappin,  28 
Teuny,  77 
Thacher,  29,  52,  70 
Thember,  49 
Thumber,  49 
Tiug,  9,  10,  82 
Titcombe,  14 
Toal,  53 
Todd,  54 

Toppan,  11,  12,56 
Trerice,  32,  33,  79,  81 
Trotter,  11,  12 
Trumball,  39 
Tufts,  24 
Turell,  38 
Turner,  61 


Usher,  75 

Vaughan,  8,  9 
Vergoose,  67 
Vines,  78 

Wade,  76 

Wake,  61 

Walker,  15,  22,  64 

Wallis,  57,  58 

AValter,  38 

Ward,  40 

Watson,  59 

Wayte,  24 

Weare,  55 

Webster,  23,  51 

Weed,  60 

Welch,  46,  76 

Welstead,  39 

Whale,  59 

AVhelar,  12 

White,  67,  68,  71 

Whitman,  79 

Whittemore,  41,  52 

Whittier,  7 

Wigglesworth,  24,  67,  70 

Wightman,  11 

Willett,  43,  61 

Williams,  10,  30,  63,  67,  73 

Wilson,  30,  55 

Winsley,  27,  79,  80 

Winslow,  2,  13,  24,  25,  26,  27, 

28,  29,  38,  40,  68,  70,  71,  72, 

73,75 
Winthrop,  70,  73,  78,  82 
Wiseman,  81 
Woodbridge,  67 
Woodman,  54,  58 
Wyer,  31,  40,  41,  45,  46,  47,  48, 

68,  76,  77,  78,  80 
Wyllis,  67 
Wyman,  76 


.<