Individual Details

Probate

In his will written 14 November 1778 (probate 13 April 1779), William Harvey bequeathed to beloved wife Elizabeth the household furniture, four sheep, and £20.6 in cash. Elizabeth also has use of one-half of the real estate until it is sold. She will also receive interest on one-half the sale amount while she is a widow. Brother David Harvey receives the yoke of oxen. Beloved son William Harvey receives all the estate real and personal. If William does not live to age twenty-one, then the estate will be divided as specified among his brothers and sisters (which are very difficult to read due to blurred ink) but who seem to be James, Joseph, Miriam, John, and David Harvey and Sarah McGloughton. Wife Elizabeth and brother James Harvey were named executors.1
On 2 September 1782, Parker Varnum and Joseph Varnum, selectmen of Dracut, proposed Amos Sawyer as a suitable guardian for minor child William Harvey. On 2 December 1791, William Harvey made choice of Joseph Bradley Varnum, Esq. as his guardian.2

1 Middlesex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1648-1871.Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. Case 10615
2 Middlesex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1648-1871.Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. Case 10616

Military

William Harvey served from Dracut during the Revolution first as private in the alarm company of Capt. Stephen Russell, Col. Green’s regiment with service of eight days. He continued in service in 1775 and on 31 May 1776 was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the company of Capt. Joseph Bradley Varnum, Col. Simeon Spaulding’s 7th Middlesex County Regiment.1

1 Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, Volume 7, p 407