Maine Wills

 From York Registry of Deeds (1640-91)

   In the Name of god amen This twentie six Day of September one thousand six hundred & seaventy nine

   I Thomas Withers the vnprofitable servant of god though weake in Body yet of good and perfect remembrance blessed be god, and Knowing that I am naturally born to Dye & to pass from this Transitory life, Minding to put in order my estate to the intent there should be no striue for the same after my Decease I doe hereby make this to be my true last & only Will & testament in manner following:

   Imp^rs I comend my soule to almighty god & to his sone Jesus Christ my Saviour in whose precious bloud I set the whole and only hope of my salvation, my body in hope of a Joyfull resurection I commit to the earth to be decently buried and touching the Distrebution of my mortall Goods I Dispose of as following:

   I will that all my debts should be satisfied

   I giue vnto my beloved Wife Jane Withers the one halfe of all that I haue both of land & catle for the terme of her life vidz^t two oxen & two Cowes by name Star & Gentle & also my land next to goodman Diam^ts which I giue her Dureing her life and afterwards to my Daughter Elizabeth: also I giue vnto my said Wife the Vse of Eagle point Dureing her life, afterwards to be forever my Daughter Elizabeths, also I giue vnto my Wife all that land on the Eastward side over against John Shapleighs between John Hole & Lewes During her life & afterwards to be my Daughter Elizabeths/ I giue vnto my Daughter Mary Rice one one Red heifer/ I giue vnto my two Grand Children Alexander & Alice Shapleigh one red heifer

   I giue vnto my sone in law John Shapleigh a neck of land Called Oake point with the marsh next his house

   I Doe by these presents make & ordaine my welbeloved Wife aboue mentioned to be my sole Executrix of this my last will & testament hereby giueing and bequeath vnto her all the remainder of my estate as houshold stuffe land & else which is not mentioned in this my will & testament

   In testimony of which I haue here vnto set my hand & seale this twenty sixt Day of Sept^r 1679

Tho Withers (a Seale)