Amos CHAPIN: Probate Records 1831

I Amos Chapin of Milford, in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Yeoman, considering the uncertainty of this Mortal life, and being at this time of a perfect, sound, disposing mind and memory (for which blessed be God) do on this twenty second day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand, eight hundred and thirty, make, publish & ordain this Instrument to be my last Will & Testament, in manner following, that is to say.-

First. I give and bequeath unto my beloved Wife Harriot Chapin one equal half of all my Real Estate, including one half of the Buildings thereon forever to be at her disposal. I also give her one half of my Farming Tools, four Cows, my Horse, Chaise and Harness, Sleigh, all the Hay in my Barn, all my Swine and Grain, all my Currant Wine, all my Meat that is salted down & all my Household Furniture excepting two beds. I also give unto my beloved Wife Harriot for the purpose of discharging all my just debts, and paying my funeral charges, and the cost of settling my Estate, all my Notes of hand and Book Accounts which I may have at my decease. I also give unto my said Wife the improvement of the other half of my Real Estate, with the Buildings, the remainder of my Cows, the other half of my Farming Tools which are not given her in the above, for four years after my decease, upon conditions of her boarding my Children and clothing those under age during the four years.-

Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved Children (namely) Harriot E. Chapin, Laura M. Chapin, Charles F. Chapin and James E. Chapin, one equal half of my Real Estate, with one half of the Buildings thereon, to be equally divided between them, and to come into possession of the same, after the four years have expired, of which I have given the improvement to their Mother.-

Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved Daughters Harriot E. Chapin & Laura M. Chapin each of them, one Bed & Bedding at my decease.-

Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved Sons Charles F. Chapin and James E. Chapin the remainder of my Cows, and one half of my Farming Tools which was not given to their mother, to be equally divided between them, and to come into possession of the same, after the four years have expired, that I have given the improvement of them to their Mother. I also give my two Sons aforesaid my Share in the Milford Academy, to be equally divided between them.-

My will is that my Pew on the lower floor and half a Pew in the Gallery in Milford Meeting house be kept for the use and improvement of my family until the decease of my wife, after which to be equally divided between my surviving Children.

And lastly. As to all the rest, residue and remainder of my personal estate, goods & chattels of what kind and nature soever, I give & bequeath the same to my said beloved Wife Harriot Chapin, whom I hereby appoint sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament.-

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty third day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand, eight hundred and thirty.-

Amos Chapin (L.S.)        

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named Amos Chapin to be his last Will and Testament, in the presence of us, who at his request and in his presence have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses to the same.

Newell Nelson        
Peter Rockwood        
Theron Holbrook        

Worcester ss. To all People to whom these presents shall come, Nathl Paine Esq. Judge of the Probate of Wills &c. in the County of Worcester within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, sendeth Greeting.

(L.S.)

Know ye, that on the 24th day of May Anno Domini 1831 the Instrument annexed (purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Amos Chapin late of Milford in the County of Worcester, deceased) was presented for Probate by Harriot Chapin the Executrix therein named, then present Newell Nelson & Peter Rockwood two of the Witnesses thereto subscribed, who made oath that they saw the said Testator sign and seal and heard him declare the said Instrument to be his last Will and Testament, and that they with Theron Holbrook subscribed their names together, as Witnesses to the Execution thereof, in the said Testators presence & that he was then (to the best of the Deponents judgment) of sound and disposing mind.-

I do therefore prove, approve and allow of the said Instrument as the last Will & Testament of the above named deceased and commit the Administration thereof in all matters the same concerning, and of his Estate whereof he died seized and possessed in said Commonwealth unto the before named Executrix, well & faithfully to execute the said Will, and to Administer the Estate of the said deceased according thereto, who accepted said trust and has given Bond to pay the deceaseds Debts and Legacies and to render an Account (upon oath) of her proceedings when thereunto lawfully required.-

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, the day and year above written.-

Nathl Paine