Individual Details

Will

His will, proved November 4, 1859, mentions his wife Sarah, sons Reuben, Fosdick, Plummer, Dwight and James, and daughter Louisa, wife of Ebenezer B. Draper; mentions children of deceased son Spencer.

Reuben Prouty
In the name of God Amen. I Reuben Prouty of Spencer in the County ofWorcester, yeoman, being of sund mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say,
First. I give and bequeath unto my wife Sarah Prouty, all my household furniture of every descriotion for her own free use and disposal; also I hereby order and direct that my Excutory hereafter to be name shall pay to my said wife, the sum of Fifteen Dollars annually during her natural life. Also I give to my said wife the use and improvements of the southwest room and the Northwest bed room on the lower floor in my dwelling house, with the priviledge to and in the cellar, well and kitchen and all these priviledges during her natural life. And I further order and direct that my said Executor shall provide for, and take care of my said wife in the following manner, he is to provide for her good and sufficient meats, drink, clothing, nursing, doctoring, also, the use of one good cow to be kept on my farm, suitable and sufficient firewood cut and brought into the house .. for her fire, a good gentle horse and carriage harnessed and brought to her door for her use whenever she may want or request; in .. he is to support maintain and provide for her everything necessary and convenient? for her both in sickness and in health, and all these things during her natural life. Or if my said wife should choose for any part of the time, to cook her own food and eat by herself, she shall have that priveledge and every necessary conveinece shall be provided for her for that purpose by my said Executor.
Second. And unto the children of my decease son, Spencer Prouty, I give them nothing out of my Estate hea and they having had their full share before.
Third. Also. I give my son Reuben Prouty Junr. notheing out of my Estate he having had his full share before.
Fourth. I give and bequeath to my daughter Lousia Draper the wife of Eleazer B Draper, the sum of two Hundred and fifty Dollares to be paid to her or her heirs in two years after my decease.
Fifth. I give and bequeath to my son Fosdice Prouty the sum of Two Hundred Dollars to be paid to him or his heirs in three years after my decease.
Sixth. I give and gequeath to my son James Prouty the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars to be paid tohim or his heirs in one year after my decease.
Seventh. And as to the residue of my property of every description whether Real of Personal or misced. I hereby give, bequeath and devise the same to my son Dwight D Prouty, to him his heirs and assignes forever: upon conditions that th pay all the legacies and prform all the rquiremtns and conditions of this will, and pay all my just debts and the funeral charges of myself and wife, and put up a decent pair of marble grave stones at the graves of myself and wife. And I hereby appoint the said Dwight D Prouty sole Executor of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifteenth day of November in the year one thousand eight hundrend and forty-five.
Reuben Prouty
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named Reuben Prouty, to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have thereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in presence of the testator.
James Draper
Joseph Ch-----
Wilber Allen
I Reuben Prouty of Spencer in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts having in the fifteenth day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty five made, published and declared a certain instrument fo be my last will and testament, which said will thereby ratify and confirm except so far as this Codicil which I now make as an addition thereto shall otherwise provide.
And whereas in said will I made certain provisions for my wife
502. Sarah Pouty, and whereas my said wife being now dead, whatever part of my Estate was in said will bequeathed to her, I now give to my son Dwight D Prouty, to him his heirs and assigns forever.
And whereas in my said last will I did not mention the name of my son Plummer Prouty it being my intention to give him nothing, I now declare it is my intention that he should have nothing out of my Estate he having had his full share before.
And I now order this codicil to be added to and considered as a part of my said will and do hereby abrogate such parts of my said will as is different to this codicil.
In witness whereof I have thereunto set my hand and seal this twenty second day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.
Reuben Prouty
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Reuben Prouty, to be a codicil to his last will and testatment in presence of us who as witnesses, have hereunto subscribed our names in presence of each other and of the testator.
James Draper
Wilber Allen
Owen P Leighton


Probate date fourth day of November, AD 1856

Census (family)

288, 391, Reuben Prouty, 78 M, Farmer, 4000, MA
Sally Prouty, 76 F, MA
, 392, Plummer Prouty, 40 M, Farmer, MA
, Sarah G Prouty, 39, F, MA
, Jason W Prouty, 6/12 M, MA
, Patrick Riley, 40 M, Laborer, Ireland
289, 393, Dwight D Prouty, 38 M, Farmer, 1000, MA
Harriet Prouty, 35 F, MA
William B Prouty, 17 M, Bootmaker, MA, attended school
Francis N Prouty, 15 M, Farmer, MA, attended school
Elira M Prouty, 6 F, Vermont, attended school

Census

131, Reuben Prouty, 83 M, Famer, MA
132, Plummer Prouty, 46 M, Farmer, MA
Sarah Prouty, 43 F, MA
Jason W Prouty, 6 M, MA John H Prouty, 5 M, MA
Alexander St. John, 30 M, Farmer, MA