Individual Details

Will

In the name of God Amen: I, John Bowlby Senior of the County of Sussex and Township of Mansfield Woodhouse and State of New Jersey being weak in body but of sound mind and memory, thanks be to God therefore I do make, ordain, publish,and put in writing this my last will and testament in the following manner.

And first of all I recommend my soul to God who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my executors herein after named and as for such worldly goods as it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and bequeath in the following manner.

And first I will that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied.

Also I give and bequeath onto my beloved wife Mary Bowlby all and singular my personal estate during her natural life and it is my will that my said wife shall dispose of such part of my personal estate as she shall not want to home.

She will and I also will and order that six acres of land adjoining Samuel Johnston Mils be divided into 12 equal parts to be divided amongst my granddaughters by lot.

My son Samuel's daughter Mary Bowlby half an acre also his daughter Hannah Bowlby half an acre also his daughter Sarah Bowlby half an acre and also his daughter Ann Bowlby half an acre also I order that my son John Bowlby's daughter Mary Bowlby half an acre and I also order that my son Thomas Bowlby's daughter Olive Bowlby half an acre;

I also will and order that my daughter Hanah Palmer's son Philip Palmer half an acre and I also order her daughter Mary Daley half an acre and also her daughter Sarah Palmer half an acre and also her daughter Ruhannah Palmer half and acre and I also order that my daughter Sarah Coleman's Mary Coleman half an acre and also my daughter Hannah Palmer's daughter Hannah Palmer half an acre.

I also will and order that all the remainder part of my land and property rights undisposed of here to for, I order to be divided into three equal parts and Igive and bequeath onto my beloved son Samuel Bowlby one equal third part of said lands and rights.

And I also order bequeath to my beloved son Thomas Bowlby one equal third of said lands and rights and I also will and order that the other third part be equally divided between my two grandsons John and James Bowlby Suns of my beloved Sun John Bowlby and I also give and bequeath onto my nephew Edward Bowlby son of my brother Jordan Bowlby the sum of five shillings;

Also I constitute my beloved wife Mary Bowlby my Executrix and I also constitute and appoint my trusty and well beloved friend Joseph Laning my Executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking and annulling all wills by me heretofor made ratify and confirming this and no other to be my last will and Testament hereof I have set my hand and seal this 7th day of December in the Year of Our Lord 1779."

(Signed) John Bowlby

Signed, Sealed, and Delivered,
By the Hand of John Bowlby,
In the Presence of us.

Edward Laning
Isaac Laning
Altiye? Laning He died between 7 Dec 1779 and 31 Dec 1782 in Imlaydale, Mansfield, Woodhouse Twp., Sussex Co., NJ.