Lincoln County Probate Records

In the Name of God, Amen. I Martha Butler of Georgetown in the county of Lincoln Widow being much advanced in years, and considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, though of sound and disposing mind & memory blessed be God therefor, do make and publish this my last will & testament, in manner & form following, that is to say. First, I give and bequeath unto my beloved son William Butler, of said Georgetown, the sum of one Dollar, in full for his share of my property or estate, of which I may die possessed.

Item—I do also give and bequeath to my beloved son Thomas Butler, of said Georgetown, the sum of one Dollar, in full for his share of my property & estate as aforesaid—

Item—I do also give and bequeath to my beloved Daughter Sarah Butler, of Georgetown Single woman all the provisions of eatables and drinkables of every kind, and description, which may be in my house, or in any manner belong to me at my decease.

Item—I do also give and bequeath to my beloved Daughters, Mary Preble, wife of Joseph Preble of said Town, Anne Drummond, wife of Elijah Drummond of said Town, Martha Soper, wife of Samuel Soper, Sarah Butler above named, and Abigail White, widow of John White, late of said Georgetown deceased, all my wearing apparell, of what nature and description soever, of which I may die possessed, or owner of at the time of my death, to be equally divided in quantity and quality among them my said Daughters ; and if any or either of my said Daughters, should die before me, then, and in such case, I will & ordain, that her fifth part of my said wearing apparell, shall go to, and be equally divided between my grand Daughters, the Daughters, of such my deceased Daughter, as may be living at the time of my death ; and if such deceased daughter shall then have no Daughter living then the same to go her son or sons, then living.

Item—I do also give and bequeath to my said Daughter Martha Soper, one Cow.

Item. I do also give and bequeath to my Grandson, Willam Butler son Son of Thomas Butler aforesaid, One Cow.

Item. And as to all the rest, and residue of my property and estate, of what name, nature and description soever, of which I may die the owner, I will and ordain, that, the same shall be equally divided in quantity and quality among my said Daughters, Mary Preble, Anne Drummond, Sarah Butler and Abigail White, their heirs executors & administrators forever : And in case either of my Daughters last mentioned, should die before me, then in such case, I will & ordain, that, the full share and proportion of such my deceased Daughter, shall be equally divided as aforesaid, between such Daughters of her's, as may be living at my death ; And in case such deceased Daughter, should have no Daughter living, at the time of my death, then I will & ordain that, her full proportion as aforesaid of my estate, shall go to such son, or sons, of my said deceased Daughter equally to be divided between them, as may be living at the time of my death, and to their heirs and assigns forever. And if such my deceased Daughter, should have neither Son or Daughter living at the time of my decease, then in such case, I will and ordain, that, her full share of my said estate, shall be equally divided to & among the remainder of my said last mentioned Daughters, who may be living at the time of my death, and their heirs and assigns forever— And I do by these presents appoint Elijah Drummond & Jeams Williams executor of this my last Will and Testament : Hereby revoking all former Wills by me made. In witness whereof, I do hereunto set my hand & Seal the fifth day of September in the year of our Lord 1796.

Martha Butler (seal)

Signed, sealed, published & declared
by the above named Martha Butler,
to be her last will & testament, in the
presence of us, who have hereunto
subscribed our Names, as Witnesses, in
the presence of the Testatrix—

John Fisher
Thomas Williams

Probated 25 May, 1798. [VIII, 114-115.] Joseph Bowker and Mark Langdon Hill, both of Georgetown, sureties. Inventory by Thomas Williams, of Bath, Andrew Mcfaden and Brooks Mckinney, both of Georgetown, 28 May, 1799, $165.85. [Unrecorded.]

Source: The Probate Records of Lincoln County, Maine, 1760 to 1800 (Portland, Me.: Printed for the Maine Genealogical Society, 1895), p. 319, citing Lincoln County, Maine, Probate Records.