The is the 1845 will of Henry Washburn of Taunton, MA, from LDS microfilm #0577879 of Bristol County Probate Records. Henry was born in Taunton on 11 Jan. 1783, the son of Isaac(6) Washburn and Mary "Polly" Phillips, who were married in ca. 1777. [Isaac was the son of Jonathan(5) Washburn, Capt. Benjamin(4) Washburn, Samuel(3) Washburn, John(2) Washburn, John(1) Washburn.] Henry married Frances "Fanny" Paddock in Providence, RI, on 3 Aug. 1806, and they lived in Taunton, MA, but the birth records of their children were not in the published Taunton vital records. Henry Washburn died on 18 Aug. 1845 in Taunton, aged 62 years, and luckily he left this will which identifies his children. The will of Henry Washburn I Henry Washburn of Taunton in the County of Bristol do this Eighth Day of May in the year of Our Lord Eighteen hundred & forty five, make this my last Will & Testament in the following manner--viz: First--I give unto my beloved wife Fanny all my Estate both real and personal to hold to her for her use and support so long as she shall remain my Widow--She to pay all my debts and the following named Legacies--viz: To My son Bradford A. - Ten Dollars To My son Henry Jr. - Twenty Dollars To My Daughter Susan L. Dennis Twenty Dollars To my Granddaughter - Harriet L. Washburn - Daughter of Bradford A. aforesaid - Ten Dollars To my Grandson - Joseph H. Bridge - Ten Dollars And finally I order that whatever of my Estate may remain when the aforesaid Fanny shall cease to be my Widow, Shall descend--one half part thereof to my son Henry-aforesaid, and the other half part thereof to my Daughter Susan Dennis-aforesaid, to hold to them their heirs and assigns forever, they the said Henry and Susan to pay Twenty Dollars Each - annually - to my son Bradford A. during his natural life. And lastly I appoint my wife Fanny sole Executrise of this my last Will & Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the Day & Year above written. Henry Washburn Signed, Sealed and declared by said Washburn to be his last Will, in presence of us who subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto in his presence Joseph Wilbar Eben Dawes Saml C. Crocker The will of Henry Washburn was exhitibed in court on 2 Sept. 1845 by Fanny Washburn, the executrix, and was proved by Joseph Wilbar, Ebenezer Dawes and Samuel L. Crocker on 4 Nov. 1845. William Washburn of Taunton and Adino Paddock of Freetown were her sureties on her bond. Joseph Wilbar, Thomas C. Brown and William Reed, all of Taunton, were appointed to appraise the estate of Henry Washburn on 4 Nov. 1845, and the inventory was dated 14 Nov. 1845. His real estate totalled $10,917.00, which included a lot and building on Broad Way worth $2200, the "Old Homestead" worth $3300, a Cottage Lot and Buildings worth $4500, and an "undivided eleventh part of the Isaac Washburn estate on the north side of main street" worth $600. Son Bradford A. Washburn, probably the eldest son, was born about 1807. He married first to Lydia Williams, of Taunton, on 9 Sept. 1827, and secondly to Harriet C. Burt, of Taunton, on 21 Aug. 1831, and third to Celia S. Barney, of Taunton, on 19 Apg. 1835. Bradford and Celia were still living in Taunton in the 1850 census. Son Henry Washburn, Jr., was probably the second or third son. He married Lucretia M. Palmer, of Brooklyn, NY, in 1833. (Marriage intentions 25 Sept. 1833.) A son named Theodore Washburn was buried in Taunton on 11 Aug. 1811, aged 1 year, 8 months. Daughter Lydia C. Washburn was probably the eldest daughter. She married Henry A. Bridge, of Boston, on 15 Sept. 1834. Evidently she must have died by 1845, because she was not mentioned in her father's will. Joseph H. Bridge must have been her son. Daughter Susan L. Washburn was probably the next daughter, and she married John Dennis, of Taunton, on 23 Sept. 1839. A daughter named Caroline Frances Washburn was buried on 4 Sept. 1822 in Taunton, aged 2 years, 10 months, probably the youngest. William Washburn, who was a surety for Fanny Washburn on her bond, was most likely the older brother of Henry Washburn who was born in Taunton on 13 Nov. 1780, and was still alive and living in Taunton in the 1850 census. The other surety, Adino Paddock, may have been her brother. John A. Maltby Redwood City, CA jamaltby@creative.net