1737 Will - William Reeves
Introduction
Essex County, MassachusettsWill Book 22, p125
2 Sep 1737
Transcript
In the Name of God Amen, the Second Day of September Anno Domini 1737 I Willm Reeves of Salem in ye County of Essex in New England Fisherman being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, Thanks be given to God therefore calling to mind the mortality of my Body. Do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament. That is to say, first of all, I recommend my soul into the Hands of God that gave it, and my Body to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian Burial at the Discretion of my executrix hereafter named. And as touching such wordly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give Demise and Dispose of the same in the following mannerImpr I give and bequeath to Sarah my beloved wife whom I constitute sole executrix of this my last Will & Testament, the use and improvement of all my estate both real and personal during her natural life & if her worldly circumstances should be so difficult as that she should need the same, I hereby give her full power to sell and dispose of all or any part of my sd estate for her necessary support, but in case my said wife should marry again my will is that she should not have liberty to sell my sd estate.
Item I give and bequeath to my son Benjamin Reeves and to my Daughter Sarah Reeves and to their heirs for ever all the residue and remainder of my said estate both real and personal after the decease of my said wife to be equally divided between them; and I do herby utterly revoke & disanull all other & former wills legacys & bequests by me before named, willed or bequeathed hereby rattifying & confirming this & no other to be y Last Will & Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand & seal the Day & year first within written
William Reeves (LS)
Signed Sealed Published pronounced
& Declared by the sd Wm Reeves as his
Last Will & Testament in presence of
Richard Downing, Saml Sibly John Nutting
Essex } Ipswick October 31st 1737 Before the Honll John Appleton Esqr judge of the Probate of Wills &c in sd County of Essex Mr John Nutting & Richard Downing personally appeard & made oath that they were present & saw Wm Reeves late of Salem Desd sign seal & heard him publish & Declare the within written instrument to be his last will & Testament & when he so did he was of Good understanding & Disposing mind to the best of their deserning & they together with Saml Sibly sett to their hands at the same time in his presence as witnesses
Sworn att: Danl Appleting Reg
Upon which this will is provd approvd & allowd being presented by the Exrs who accepted that trust & to give in an inventory in 30 days
Examined Danl Appleton Regr