William M. Sargent, “Maine Wills, 1640-1760” (Portland, Maine, 1857)
- Probate Office, 8, 279.
In the name of God Amen. The third Day of Feb’ry Anno Domini 174½. I
Samuel Hatch of Wells in the County of York in the Province of the Massachusetts
Bay in New England Husbandman being weak of Body but of perfect Mind & Memory,
Thanks be given to God, therefore calling to mind y’e Mortality of my Body, and
knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die, do make & ordain this my
last Will & Testam’t that is to Say, principally and first of all, I give &
recommend my Soul into the Hands of God that gave it, and my Body 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 receive the
Same again by the might Power of God. And as touching Such worldly Estate
wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life, I give demise & dispose
of the Same in the following Manner & Form Viz’t
Item. I give & bequeath to my beloved Daughter Bethia Butland one
feather Bed immediately after my Decease besides what I have already given her.
Item. I give & bequeath to my beloved Son Benjamin Hatch five Shillings
in Money to be paid by my Executor immediately after my Decease, besides what I
have already given him.
Item. I give & bequeath unto the Children of my beloved Daught’r Iemima
[sic] Freethy Dec’d five Shillings Money to be paid by my Exec’r
immediately after my Decease besides what I have already given her.
Item. I give & bequeath unto my beloved Son Samuel Hatch five Shillings
Money to be paid by my Executor immediately after my Decease besides what I have
already given him.
Item, I give & bequeath unto my beloved Son John Hatch five Shillings
money to be paid by my Executor immediately after my Decease besides what I
have already given him.
Item I give & bequeath unto my beloved Son philip Hatch five Shillings
Money to be paid by my Executor immediately after my Decease besides what I
have already given him
Item. I give & bequeath unto my beloved Daughter Eunice Gatchel One
Suit of Curtains which I have about my Bed, and one pewter Platter immediately
after my Decease besides what I have already given her.
Item. I give & bequeath unto my beloved Daughter Mary Stevens three
pewter plates immediately after my Decease besides what I have already given her
as also Seven pounds Money more to be paid by my Executor to her.
Item. I give & bequeath to my beloved Son Joseph Hatch immediately
after my Decease, whom I likewise constitute make and ordain Executor of this
my last Will & Testam’t the Homested or home Lot of Land I now live upon in
Wells Viz’t all the Up Land with the Houses Barns & Buildings thereon together
with all my Salt Marsh, As also all my Household Goods not heretofore disposed
of, As also all my Axes Hoes Carts plows Chains, and all the Ox Tackling.
As also I give unto my S’d Son Joseph Hatch all my Stock of meat Cattle Sheep
Horses and Swine freely by him to be possessed & enjoyed forever.
I also by these presents impower my Said Son Jos. Hatch to demand &
receive all dues & Debts for his own proper Use and Behoof, and I also oblige
him to pay all my just Dues & Debts.
My Will also is that if my Said Son Joseph Hatch Should die without
lawful Issue of his own Body begotten, then the Said Land & Marsh Shall return
to his Surviving Brothers & Sisters; And I do hereby utterly disallow revoke &
disannul all & every other former Testment Will & Bequest & Execut’rs by me any
Ways before named willed & bequeathed ratifying and confirming this & no other
to be my last Will & Testam’t.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand & Seal the Day & Year above written.
- Probated 16 October 1753.