Last Will and Testament of
Thomas Doty (written in 1794)
Col. Thomas Doty was once the owner of the famed Doty's Tavern in Stoughton.
Learn more about Doty's Tavern and the Suffolk Resolves.
[Source: Norfolk County, Mass. Probate Case # 5657]
In the name of God Amen. I Thomas Doty of Stoughton, [Gentleman] in the county of Norfolk,& commonwealth of Massachusetts, being through the abundant goodness & mercy of God though weak in body, yet of a sound & perfect mind, understanding, & memory, do constitute this my last will & testament, and desire it may be received by all as such. Imprimis. I most humbly bequeath my soul to God my Maker, bequeathing his most gracious acceptance of it, through the all sufficient merits, & most compassionate redeemer Jesus Christ who, I trust, will not [---] me, a returning penitent sinner, when I come to him for mercy. In this hope, & confidence, I render up my soul with comfort, humbly [----] the most blessed Trinity, one God most holly, most merciful, I gracious, to prepare me for the time of mu disposition, and then to take me to himself, into that peace & rest, and incomparable felicity, which he has prepared for all that love & fear his holly name. Amen. Blessed by God. Imprimis.I give my body to the earth from whence it was taken, in full assurance of the resurrection from [----] at the last day. As for my burial, I desire it may be decent, at the discretion of my executor, hereafter named, who I doubt not will manage it with all prudence & decency. As to my worldly estate I will, I positively order that all my just debts be paid. Imprimis. I give to my well beloved friends, Phillip Curtis & Abigail Curtis, his wife, the one third of all my estate, both real & personal. Imprimis. I give to the first church of Christ in Stoughton, for the benefit of the poor of said church, one other third part of my estate as aforesaid. Imprimis. I give to my well beloved friend, John Mead, who was born in my house, and brought up there, the other third part of my estate. And I do hereby nominate my aforesaid well beloved friend, Phillip Curtis, to be executor of this my last will & testanent. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal, this eight day of November, and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & ninety four.
Thomas Doty (Seal)
Witnesses, John Puffer
Abel Puffer
Thomas Crane
Exam'd Saml Haven Regr
INVENTORY
An Inventory of the estate of Thomas Doty, late of Stoughton, in the county of Norfolk, Gentleman, deceased.
live stock consisting of 4 cows & 3 sucking calves £ 24-6-0
An old chaise 1-4-0
Wearing aparel 2-14-0
Five beds and beding 11-12-2
Two old chests with drawers, old desk & several olds chests 1-7-6
Several old tables & table frames, &c. 1-8-0
Eighteen old chairs 1-3-0
Three servers, 3 looking glasses, & one lantern 0-12-0
A pr. of old buckles, book case & books 0-9-0
3 old chests, 2 old table frames, part of a old bedsteads
and some old iron in the garret 0-8-0
A trunk, bread trough, 2 do pillion 0-6-0
Copper and brass 1-7-0
Sundry articles of iron ware 2-3-6
Several articles of old lumber 0-14-0
£ 48-14-2
Stoughton April 27 1795. Thomas Crane
Royall Kollock - Apprs
Joseph Hewins