Last Will and Testament of Samuel
Smith (written in 1793)
[Source: Norfolk County, Mass. Probate - Case # 17032]
In the name of God, Amen. This 19 day of July, in the year of our Lord anno Domini 1793. Know ye, that I Samuel Smith of Stoughton, in the county of Norfolk, and in the State of the Commonwealth of the Massachusetts Bay the weak and feeble of body, yet of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God for the same, yet calling to mind the mortality of my body, and knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die, do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament, that is, principally and first of all, I give and bequeath my soul into the hand of God that gave it, and my body to the earth, to be buried in a decent and Christian manner, at the discretion of my friends, doubting not but at the resurrection of the last day to receive the same by the mighty power of God. And as touching thou worldly accommodations that it hath pleased God in my lifetime to bless me with I dispose of them in the following manner, that is I give and bequeath unto Hannah Smith, my beloved wife, the whole of my personal estate, to be at her disposal with any reserve, during natural life, and at her discretion, or at her disposal after or at her decease. Likewise I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Hannah Smith, the whole of my real estate during her natural life, with a liberty of selling and conveying of the same or any part thereof, if she shall think proper, either by way of exchange, or any other way, as she shall think fit. And of her necessities call for any part of the money arises from the sale of said lands, she shall have liberty to spend of the same. And furthermore, my will is, that what shall remain shall remain of my real estate, or of the money that shall be left of my real estate, shall be paid to my three sons, Samuel Smith, William Smith, and Elijah Smith in equal shares. And furthermore, I do appoint my beloved wife, Hannah Smith to be my sole executrix to this my last will and testament, in the presence of James Hawks Lewis, Laban Lewis, & Elijah Lewis.
Samuel Smith
Examined Attest Saml Haven Regr