Lincoln County Probate Records

In the name of GOD amen !

I Robert Govan of Bristol in the County of Lincoln Gentleman, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be Almighty GOD for the same. Do make this my last Will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say.

I Give and bequeath to my beloved Wife Jane if she should survive me, My one quarter part of the Grist Mill at the Falls of Pemequid in Bristol and One third part of all my other Real estate of lands tenements and buildings with the priviledges and appurtenances on both sides of the same falls. To have and to hold the same to her and her assigns for and during the term of her Natural life. And I further give and bequeath to my said beloved Wife One third part of all my Personal Estate, Goods and Chattels of what kind or nature soever to Have and to hold the same to her, and her Assigns for ever, in equivalent to her right of Dower. I also give and bequeath to my son Robert, at my said Wifes Decease, My above mentioned One quarter part of the Grist mill then to have and to hold the same to him his heirs and assigns forever. And to my said son Robert and my son Alexander I give and bequeath all the Rest, residue and remainder of my real and personal estate in equal proportion between them as they may devide under the burthens before and afterwards mentioned, to have and to hold the same to them their Heirs and Assigns for ever. To the Children of my Daughter Sally, deceased, late the Wife of Alexander Maclean I Give and bequeath the sum of One hundred pounds lawful money, and to my Daughters Jenny the Wife of Israel Cox, Betsey the Wife of John Nickels and Hannah the Wife of Thomas Miller, their Heirs and Assigns the sum of One hundred pounds each. Which sums together making four hundred pounds I Will and ordain to be raised out of that part of my Estate bequeathed to my sons, or by them to be paid to the respective legatees the One half thereof in one Year and the other half in two Years after my Decease.

I also hereby appoint my said Wife Jane the Reverend Alexander Maclean before named and Major William McIntyre of said Bristol Gentleman to be my Executors of this my last Will and testament. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty eighth day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Ninety six

Robert Giveen (seal)

Signed, sealed, published and
declared by the above named
Robert Govan to be his last Will
and testament, in the presence of
us who have hereunto
subscribed our Names as Witnesses
in presence of the testator

Hannah Child
James Nickels
Robert McLintock

Probated 5 June, 1797. [VII, 93-94.] William McIntyer and James Nickels, both of Bristol, and Samuel Nickels, of Newcastle, sureties. Inventory by Phillips Hatch, John Boyd and Henry Fosset, all of Bristol, 5 Sep., 1797. [VII, 164-5.]

Source: The Probate Records of Lincoln County, Maine, 1760 to 1800 (Portland, Me.: Printed for the Maine Genealogical Society, 1895), p. 279, citing Lincoln County, Maine, Probate Records.