This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Stevens, Hills, Pierson, Crane, Parmele, Chalfield, Gale Classification: will Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.stevens/4038/mb.ashx Message Board Post: 1764 Probate copy of 1761 Last Will and Testament of James Steevens As in the Presence of God Amen this 25th Day of August AD 1761 I James Stevens of Killingsworth in the County of New London & Colony of Connecticut in New England being at this present time by Gods Mercy of a Sound Mind and Memory Thanks be to God therefore and Considering the transitory nature of Subliminary Beings & calling to mind the Mortality of mine own Body as knowing it is appointed for all men to Die Do Make & Ordain my soul into the hands of God who gave it and my Body to the Earth to be buried in Decent Christian Burial according to Discretion of mine Executor Nothing Doubting but I shall receive the same at the General Resurrection-And as to such Worldly Estate as it hath pleased God to Bless me with in this Life I Dispose of in the following manner My Just Debts & Funeral Expenses being first Paid-------- Impt. I Give and Bequeath to my Eldest son James besides what he hath already Received that Sum in Money for which my Mill plain Land was sold for when Conveyed to my Som Amos. As also what I have given him by Deed of Gift. As also the One fourth Part of my Gulf Meadows also all my land at Bafrbrook which I bought of Cornelius Chalfield to him his Heirs forever----- Item I Give and bequeath to my Second son Isreal besides what I have already Given him by Deed of Gift all my land adjoining to that Land where he now Liveth As also the one fourth part of my Gulf Meadow and the one half of my Meadow at the Landing place the North side of the Lane. As also three quarters of my Land adjoining to Haddam Line . As also all that land I bought of Abel Steevens & Sarah Steevens adjoining to Southerly of Doct. Gales Land in Cave. I should not set the same of which I hath thoughts to him his heirs forever------- Item. I give and Bequeath to my 3rd Son Amos the other half of all my home Land he having received the one half already by Deed of Gift. As also all that Tract of Land Called the Low Ground being the whole tract sold to Benj Gale with my Consent which sale I Do hereby ratify & Confirm And whereas my Son Amos Received of me one yoke of Oxen to the value of Ten pounds lawful Money the which Sum I order my Son Amos to pay out to my Two Daughters Hannah & Lydia five pounds to Each twelve months after my Deceafe And I give unto him son Amos the One fourth part of my Gulf Meadow to him his Heirs forever-- Item I Give and bequeath to my youngest Son Nehemiah Besides what I have already Given Him by Deed of Gift all the Remainder of my Land near Haddam Line and also the one quarter of that Land adjoining Haddam Line which makes the whole with the three quarters given to Israel As also the one quarter part of my Gulf Meadow and the other half of my Landing place Meadow to him his heirs forever----- And I Make and Ordain my two Eldest Sons James & Israel both of Killingsworth executor of this my Last Will and testament, Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my last Will & Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal the Day & Date within Written Signed Sealed Pronounced and Declared by the Sd. James Steevens to be his Last Will-- In presence of john Crane 2nd Phebe Crane Mercy Parmele James Steevens--"a Seal"- To the Hon. Judge of Probate Killingworth September 4th AD 1764 Them personally Appeared John Crane 2nd and Phoebe his Wife Signed as witneFses to within and above written Will and Made Solemn Oath that they Saw james Steevens Testator to this 2d will Sign Seal and heard him pronounce and Declare this intent to be his Last Will and Testament and that at that time they understood and also that Mercy Parmele Signed as Witness at Same time in presence of the Testator. Before me John Pierson Justice of the Peace A true Copy of the Original Will on the Probt files in Guilford Examined J Nathle Hills Clerk