Individual Details

Will

David Prouty
In the name of God Amen, this fourth day of April in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and forty three I David Prouty of Spencer in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts. Gentleman, being of a weak and indisposed state of bodily health, but blessed be God of perfect sound mind and memory, and calling to mind the mortality of my body, well knowing it is appointed for all the human race to die. to make and ordain this to be my last will and testament.
That is to say Principally and first of all. I give and recommend my soul into the hand of Almighty God who gave it hoping through the merits death and passion of my Saviour Jesus Christ there is full and free pardon and forgiveness of all my sins and to inherit everlasting life and my body commit unto the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executor hereafter to be named, nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection. I shall receive the same again by the mighty Power of God. And as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me I give and dispose of the same in manner and form following. viz:
First I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Abigail Prouty, the one third part of the profits and income of all my Real Estate of every description, exclusive of taxes and the expenses of managing and carrying the same. Also, the use and improvement [of one half] of my present dwelling house. The south eastroom to be included in the said one half part. Also, the use of a good horse and chaise whenever she may choose. And all these things during the time she shall remain my widow.
Second. I give and bequeath to my sister Sally Hale the sum of Four Hundred Dollars, for her own free use and disposal. without any control of the same by her husband, to be paid to her by my said Executor in one year after my deceased, to her and her heirs forever.
Third. I give and bequeath to the Congregational Society in Spencer the sum of Fifty Dollars to be expended and laid out in books for the use of the Sabbath School in said Society. to be paid in one year after my decease.
Fourth. I give and bequeath to the Baptist Society in Spencer the sum of Twenty Five Dollars to be expended and laid out in th purchases of Books for the use of Sabbath School in said Society, to be paid in one year after my decease.
Fifth. I give and bequeath to the Universalist Society in Spencer the sum of Twenty five Dollars to be expended and laid out in th purchases of Books for the use of Sabbath School in said Society, to be paid in one year after my decease.
Sixth. I give and bequeath to the Methodist Society in said Spencer the sum of Twenty five Dollars to be expended and laid out in th purchases of Books for the use of Sabbath School in said Society, to be paid in one year after my decease.
Seventh. I also give and bequeath to my said wife my Clock and the one half of the remainder of all my household furniture for her own free use and disposal, and further, I give and bequeath to my said wife the sum of Fifty Dollars to be paid to her in one year after my decease, and also, the sum of twenty five Dollars annually, to be paid to her during her natural life, and the two last legacies to be for her own free use and disposal.
Ninth. And as to the remainder of my property which has not been disposed of in this will. I hereby give grant and devise the same of every description whether Real, Personal, or mixed to my only son David Prouty given to him his heirs and assigns forever, upon conditions that he shall pay all my just debts and funeral charges. That he shall pay all the legacies bequeathed and devised in this will. that he shall render to his mother the one third part of the profits and income of my Real Estate, as is herein provided, that he shall also, provide for her a sufficient supply of wood cut fit for her use and brought into her woodhouse. that he shall keep for her use a good and gentle horse and chaise whenever she may choose to use the same. that he shall provide for her good and sufficient Doctoring and Nursing whenever she may need the same and all these things during the times mentioned in this will, and all at his own expense and free fro all charge to her, and after here demise, shall give her a decent burial and shall also keep my said Dwelling house in repair during the life of his said mother and shall also, provide a good stone door for my family tomb to be hung with iron hinges and otherwise put into good repair as soon as my be after my decease.
Tenth And lastly I hereby appoint my said son David Prouty Jun sole Executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above mentioned.
David Prouty
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said David Prouty to be his last will and testament in presence of the subscribers who sign as witnesses in presence of the Testator.
James Draper
Oliver Morse
Nancy Snow
Worcester At a Court of Probate holden at Worcester on the first Tuesday of July, AD 1845
......said instrument is proven..
Benj. F Thomas Judge of Probate