1726 Will - Jonathan Reeves
Introduction
New Jersey Will Records, Vol. 2, p351(Original in Burlington County Will Records 1413C-1418C)
25 Mar 1725/6
Transcript
The Eghteenth Day of March One Thousand Seven hundred and twenty five six I Jonathan Reeves of Northampton in the County of Burlington and in the western Division of the province of New Jersey husbandman being sick and weak in body but of sound and perfect mind & memory praised be God for the same and all other his mercys I calling to mind the mortallity of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all men ince to Die I do make and ordain this my Last and Testament That is to say )First and principally of all I give and Recommend my soul into the hands of God almightly that gave it me and for my Body I recommend it to the Earth to be buried in a Christian like & decent manner at the Discretion of my Executrix hereafter named and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this Life I give Devise and Dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
Impr. I give and bequeath unto my Brother Walter Reeves five shillings leegall money of America to be paid him within one hole year after my Decease
Item I give and bequeath unto my cousin Ester Curtiss one coso to be Delivered her at the age of twenty one years or marriage
Item I give and bequeath unto my cousin Solomon Curtiss one cow to be Delivered him at the age of twenty one years
Item I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Mary Reeves and to her heirs forever all the rest of my personal or moveable estate together with the ose and profits of all my real estate during her widowhood whom I likewise make ordain and constitute only and sole executrix of this my last will and testament ordering her to pay my just debts funeral charges and the legacies above bequeathed.
Item provided always upon condition and in case that my said wifes son Matthew Hewlings lives to the age of twenty one years or be married then and in such case I give bequeath and devise all my Real Estate being the plnatation whereon I now live unto the said Mathew Hewlings his heirs and assigns forever But in case the said Mathew Hewlings depart this life unmarried in his minority then in such case I give and bequeath all my said plantation unto my above said wife Mary her heirs and assigns forever. And I do hereby utterly Disallow Revoke and Disanull all and every forever wills and Testaments legacies and executors by me before this time named willed and bequathed ratifying this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto est my hand and seal the Day and year just above written. One thousand seven hundred and twenty five six signed Johnathan Reeves by his mark I signed sealed and Declared by the said Johnathan Reeves to be his Last Will and Testament in the presence of John Burr, Benjamin Brian, Revell Elton, Samuel Bryan
This Twenty fifth day of August Anno Dom One thousand seven hundred and twenty six psonally came and appeared before me Samuel Bustill Surrogate Register of the Western division of the province of New Jersey duly commisioned Samuel Brian Benjamin Brian and John Burr three of the witnesses subscribed to the within will Samuel Brian, bbeing sworn on the holy Evangelist of Almighty God and Benjamin Brian & John Burr being of the people called Quakers on their solemn affirmation according to law they do declare that they were present & saw the within named Jonathan Reves sign and seal and heard him publish pronounce and declare the within written instrument to be his last Will & Testament and that at the same time the testator was of sound mind and memory to the best of their knowledge and understanding and that at the same time they did sign their names as evidences to the within will in the presence of the testator and that at the same time also revel elton the other subscribing was present and did sign his name as a witness to ye within will in the presence also of the testator
Saml Brian
Benjamin Brian
John Burr
Sworn & affirmed at Burlington Before me
Sam Bustill