Individual Details

Probate

Inventory taken 2 Dec 1720The inventory was made in 1720 but the probate is1728https://www.americanancestors.org/databases/middlesex-county-ma-probate-file-papers-1648-1871/image/?volumeId=14460&pageName=3729:1&rId=38198776 The inventory of the estate of Joseph Butterfieldwas made 2 December, but the probate of the estate did not proceed until 1728with the settlement in 1730. Real estate was valued at £132.15.00 and personal estateat £62.6. On 16 September 1728, administration of the estate was granted to JoshuaFletcher at the request of widow Lydia, son Joseph Butterfield (the onlysurviving son), and Simon Thompson and Ephraim Waters husbands of two of thedaughters.[1]The distribution of the real estate was made 29 May 1730. The real estateinventory taken prior to the settlement included a 55-acre homestead valued at £280and 21 smaller parcels with a total real estate value of £710.8.6. Thedistribution of the real estate included the dower to widow Lydia. Eldest sonJoseph Butterfield had been occupying and improving the homestead. It wasdetermined that son Benjamin Butterfield had received his portion of the estateduring his lifetime (Benjamin died in 1715). Sons Joseph Butterfield and JacobButterfield (who died in 1724) had previously purchased the rights in the realestate from their four sisters Hannah Thompson, Grace Waters, TabithaButterfield, and Abigail Bixby. The real estate was settled on eldest sonJoseph Butterfield and the heirs of Jacob Butterfield.[2] part of the probate – 18:312-313 – mentions eldestson Joseph has had the improvement of the real estate – also needs guardianappointed for Jacob’s children for the distribution of the real estate (Jacobdied in 1724)https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99D5-BYTR?i=180&cat=263304also look at 19:138 – volumes 18 and 19 are in thesame volumeindex to the probate in the bookshttps://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99DL-6N34?i=266&cat=26330419:138-144 – if you keep going there is thedistribution – the dower is to widow Lydia, eldest son Joseph Butterfield, sonBenjamin received his full portion in his lifetime, heirs of Jacob Butterfield,payments made to the four sisters Hannah Thompson, Grace Waters, Tabitha Butterfield,and Abigail Bixby – Joseph and Jacob had purchased the rights to the realestate of their sisters – there is a lot to wade through in the distribution –distribution in 29 May 1730https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99D5-1YJ?i=442&cat=263304 [1] Middlesex County, MA: Probate File Papers,1648-1871.Online database. AmericanAncestors.org.New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. Case 3729[2]Massachusetts Probate, Middlesex County, 19:138-144