Last Will and Testament of Martin Wales (written in 1872)  

[Source: Norfolk County, Mass. Probate]

            Know all men that I Martin Wales of Stoughton in the County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts being of sound mind and memory, do hereby make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following to wit.

It is my will that all my just debts be paid.  I give and bequeath to Thomas Hitchcock, Treasurer, of the General Convention of the New Jerusalem in the United State of America or to his successor in said office, the sum of five thousand dollars to be appropriated and expended as said convention shall direct.

I give and bequeath to Daniel French, Nathaniel Wales and Jabez Talbot Jr. all of Stoughton as aforesaid the sum of five thousand dollars in trust the uses and purposes following to wit:

To invest the same and pay to my son George Wales the income thereof during his natural life, at the decease of the said George Wales to pay said sum and all accumulation of interest dividends and profits thereon if any there be discharged from all trust.

To the persons who would be entitled to the personal estate of my said son if he died intestate.

I give and bequeath to the said Daniel French, Nathaniel Wales and Jabez Talbot Jr. the further sum of five thousand dollars in trust for uses and purposes following to wit:

To Interest the same and pay to my son Seth Wales the income thereof during his natural life.

At the deceased of the said Seth Wales to pay said sum and accumulation of interest, dividends and profits thereon if any there be discharged from all trust to the persons who would be entitled to the personal estate of my said son if he died intestate.

I direct said trustees to pay the income to which my said sons George and Seth shall be entitled semi annually or oftener if said trustees think it expedient. 

And in the judgment of the majority of the said trustees or there successors in said trust it shall at any time be deemed expedient to pay to the said George Wales or to the said Seth Wales, discharged from all trusts, the whose or any part thereof after sums of money, to the income of which they shall be entitled, respectively as herein provided, I authorize them so to do.

I give and bequeath to Charles L. Wales, Edward L. Wales, James M. Wales & Annie E. Wales children of my deceased son Martin Wales Jr. the sum of five thousand dollars to be equally divided between them.

I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary R. Packard wife of Caleb H. Packard of North Bridgewater , Lucy M. Copeland wife of Fisher Copeland of North Bridgewater , and Adelaide F. Neale wife of William Neale of Stoughton the sum of Five thousand dollars to each of them for their sole & separate use.

I give and bequeath to my sister Mira Stevens of Stoughton the sum of one thousand dollars annually during her natural life or if she should prefer it in lieu thereof, she may continue occupy the estate owned by me and now in her possession and use and also the sum of Fifty dollars a years during her natural life and either case said sum to be paid in equal quarterly payments by my Executors.

I give and bequeath to my sister Joanna Snell wife of James C. Snell of North Bridgewater the sum of five hundred dollars.  All the foregoing bequeaths to be paid within year from my decease except otherwise herein provided.

To my beloved wife Rebekah Wales.  I give and bequeath all my remaining estate both Real and personal where over the same maybe to her other heirs forever.

Furthermore, It is my wife that if either my said children shall have deceased then the share of said deceased child shall go to the children or child of each deceased son or daughter if any such there be if not to then legal representatives.

Lastly, I hereby constitute and appoint my wife Rebekah Wales to be the sole Executor of this my last will & testament and as I have full confidence in her ability & integrity.

I hereby direct that she shall not be required to give any bond for the execution of said trust.

In witness whereof I the said Martin Wales have hereunto set my name & seal this twenty first day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & seventy two.

                                                                                                                 Martin Wales (seal)

Signed, sealed, and delivered by the above named Martin Wales to be his last will and testament in presence of us who at his request and in his presence have hereunto set our hands in Witness.

                                                                                                               Jesse Holmes

                                                                                                               Caleb Blodgett Jr.

                                                                                                               Levi K. Drake

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