Last Will and Testament of Edward
Taylor (written in 1793)
[Source: Norfolk County, Mass. Probate - Case # 17870]
In the name of God, Amen, I Edward Taylor of Stoughton in the county of Suffolk, a state of Massachusetts Bay, Yeoman, being in perfect health, of sound memory & understanding, and of disposing mind, blessed by God therefore, but considering the certainty of death, the uncertainty of life continuance, after recommending my soul to that God that gave it, and my body to the earth, to be buried in a decent & christianlike manner, at the discretion of my executrix herein after named, do make, ordain, & declare this my last will & testament in manner & form following. After payment of all sums or dues which I may be indebted at the time of my decease, and the defraying of all charges & expenses incident to my burial, which I hereby inform & direct my executrix hereafter named to do as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. I do hereby give, desire, & bequeath unto my beloved wife, Mary Taylor, all my estate whether real, personal, or mixed, which I am in my manner, in my own right seised or proposed of, and which I can lawfully dispose of, to have and to hold to her, the said Mary Taylor, her kin and assigns forever. And I the said Edward do herby nominate my beloved wife, Mary Taylor aforesaid, sole executrix of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking, disannulling, and making void, all former wills or testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof, I the said Edward Taylor, have hereunto set my hand & seal, this tenth day of June in the eyar of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & ninety three.
Edward Taylor (Seal)
Signed, sealed, published, and declared, by the above named Edward Taylor, as & for his last will & testament, in presence of us James Hawks Lewis, Ezekiel Fisher Junr, Benjamin Goodwin.
Examined Saml Haven Regr