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- WILL OF NATHANIEL WILLSON
Source: LDS Microfilm #876299, Probate Records, Volume 24, Pages
389-391, Berkshire Co., MA
In the name of God, Amen: I, Nathaniel Willson, of West Stockbridge in
the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, yeoman,
considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound and
perfect mind and manner, blessed be Almighty God for the same, do make
and publish this my last will and testament in manner following (that
is to say).
Imprimis, I give and bequeath unto by beloved wife Mehitabel, two good
cows, ten good sheep, and the one-third part in value of my household
furniture for her own use and disposal forever.
I give and bequeath to my several daughters, viz, Sarah Knapp,
Philinda Andrus, Chloe Spencer, Huldah Hart, & Jemima Burghardt, the
remaining two-third parts of my household furniture, to be equally
divided among them, to be theirs forever, except my daughter Sarah
Knapp, to whom I only give the use of her share of my household
furniture during her natural life, and at her decease, the same to
descend to her children in equal shares, to be theirs forever. I also
give and bequeath to my several daughters the following sums over and
above their several shares in my household furniture, (viz), to Sarah
Knapp twenty dollars, to Philinda Andrus, twenty dollars, to Chloe
Spencer twenty-five dollars, to Huldah Hart one dollar, and to Jemima
Burghardt thirty dollars.
I give and bequeath unto the children of my late son Shubael,
deceased, two dollars to be equally divided among them. I give and
bequeath unto my son Fairring all my wearing apparel and thirty
dollars.
I give and bequeath unto my son Nathaniel ten dollars.
I give and bequeath unto my son Lewis ten dollars.
I give and bequeath unto my son Jared one dollar.
I give and bequeath unto my son Gilbert one dollar.
I give and bequeath unto my son George twenty-five dollars.
I give and bequeath unto my son Rufus all the residue of my estate,
both real and personal, not herein before bequeathed and devised,
whenever the same may be found, to have and to hold to him and his
heirs & assigns forever, subject however to the following conditions
to be performed on his part (viz).
That the said Rufus maintain & support me and my wife during each of
our natural lives in a kind, Christian-like, & comfortable manner,
with suitable medical aid & nursing if wanted, and otherwise carry and
behave himself towards each of us in a filial and affectionate manner.
And in case my wife should survive me, that he provide a home for her
out of his family if it be her choice, and such an one as shall be
reasonably satisfactory to her with all things necessary for her
comfortable support, pay all my debts at my decease, the funeral
charges of us both, the several legacies before mentioned in my will,
which I have bequeathed to my other children, within three months
after my decease (if demanded of him by them within that time), &
which several legacies as before expressed are to be understood to be
over & above what each of them have had (prior to the date of this
will) out of my estate, and pay the whole expense of the settlement of
my estate agreeable to this my last will and testament. And in case my
son Rufus shall not perform the above condition agreeable to the true
intent and meaning thereof, I give and devise all my real estate to my
beloved wife Mehitabel in fee simple on condition of her paying the
legacies to my several children as before directed to be paid by my
son Rufus. And I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Rufus and
Lemuel Moffitt, Jun. executors of this my last will and testament,
hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal at West Stockbridge this seventh day of
March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifteen.
Nathaniel Willson (seal)
Signed, sealed, published, and declared by the above named Nathaniel
Willson to be his last will and testament, in the presence of us the
subscribers who signed the same in his presence at his request, as
witnesses to the same.
James Picket, Solomon Reed, John Ford, Jun.
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d. 21 Jan 1806, West Stockbridge, Berkshire County, Massachusetts