Maine Wills

 From York County Probate Records, Volume Eight (1705-53)

   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 mighty 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 immedediately 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 imediately after my Decease, besides what I have already given him.

   Item. I give & bequeath unto the Children of my beloved Daught^r Iemima 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 gven 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 imediately 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 Testament Will & Bequest & Execut^rs by me any Ways before named willed & bequeathed ratifying and confirming this & no other to be my last Will & Testamt

   In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand & Seal the Day & Year above written.

Samuel Hatch (Seal)

   Signed Sealed published pronounced & declared by the Said Samuel Hatch to be his last Will & Testament in presence of us the Subscribers, Iohn Trow. Ieremiah Storer jun^r Samuel Hatch tert^s Iohn Storer.