Lincoln County Probate Records

In the name of God Amen

The twentyeth day of April in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy six I James Nickels of New Castle in the County of Lincoln Gentn. being very Sick and Weak in Body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given to God for the same, and Calling to mind the mortality of my Body, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and Recommend my Soul in to the hands of God that gave it and for my Body I Recommend it to the Earth, to be buried in a Christian like and Decent manner at The Discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the General Resurection I shall Receive the Same again by the mighty power of God, and as touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give and Devise and dispose of the same in manner and form following that is to Say—

In the first place I give and bequeth to Ruth Nickels my Dearly beloved Wife my Whole personal Estate to be at her disposal to be disposed of at her Death in the way and manner She sall think proper and also the third part of my Real Estate, I give and bequeth to my beloved son John Nickels Eighty Acres of Land in the middle of the Great mash With a piece of mash adjoining to it, also I give and bequeth to Alexander Nickels my beloved Son, Eighty Acres of Land on the south side of fresh Water Cove on Kennedy's River, also I give and bequeth to my beloved Children, James Nickels William Nickels Ruth Fasset, Hanah Nickels Jann Nickels Fanny Nickels & Margaret Nickels the Whole Remainder of my Real Estate to be divided Equally among them after the youngest Child is of Age—also I appoint my Dearly beloved Wife Ruth Nickels, Thomas Rice Esqr. and Captain William Nickels Executors of this my last and Testament, and I also Will that no part of my Real Estate shall be sold Except to pay a lawful Debt.

Also I Revoke and Disannul all and every other Wills and Legacies or power of Attorney given to any person or persons Whatsoever before this date this being my last will and Testament in Witness Whereof I have here unto set my hand and Seal the Day and Year above Written—

James Nickels (seal)

Signed Sealed published pronounced and declared by the said James Nickels as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us the Subscribers—

Archd : Robinson
John Robinson
Michael Ryan

Thomas Rice declined executorship, 9 July, 1776. Probated 12 Sep., 1792. John Nickels, Adm'r cum Testamento annexo. [V, 10.]

Source: The Probate Records of Lincoln County, Maine, 1760 to 1800 (Portland, Me.: Printed for the Maine Genealogical Society, 1895), p. 217, citing Lincoln County, Maine, Probate Records.