Individual Details
Mary
(Bet 1700 and 1701 - 25 Jan 1754)
Probate No. 20253, #1754, Middlesex Co., MA, FHL #521516
In the Name of God Amen: this fourth day of January anna Domini onethousand seven hundred and fifty four. I Mary Sheffield of Hollistonin the County of Middlesex in the province of the Massachusetts Bay inNew England (widow) about fifth three years of age being very sick andweak in Body but of perfect mind & memory thanks be given to Godtherefore, and calling to mind the mortality of my body knowing thatit is appointed to man once to die, I do make & ordain this my lastwill & Testament that is to say specifically and first of all I giveand recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it & my body Icommit to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian manner at thedefinition of my Executor hereinafter named nothing doubting but atthe resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power ofGod and as ____ching auch worldly goods & ________ it hath pleased Godto bless me with in this life. I give, demise and dispose of the samein manner as followeth.
Item: I give and bequeath to my son Nathaniel Sheffield & his heirsforever all my part of land & buildings in the home place also thewearing apparel which was his Fathers & also my mair and two fattswine also one brass kettle one peuter plate one ____ ____ & one meattu__ also my money due me from Gershom Eames Junr., provided my sonpay out of said money one pound five shillings & eight pence toSamuell Harding of Midway; also provided my son pay my debts & FuneralCharges and provid good decent stones for grave stones and set up atmy deceased husbands & my grave. Furthermore I give & bequeath unto mysaid son all my part in the land which was my Brother JosephSheffields Provided my said son take care of my sister HannahPartridge the widow which now lives with me and provide for her insickness & health things convenient for her in her old age while shelives and at her decease bury her in decent Christian manner.
Item: I give and bequeath to my Daughters Mary Partridge a\& RachelPartridge four acres of land on the other side of the brook in the oldfield so called. Each of them their equal proportion to be dividedbetween them. Also I give to my daughter Mary my ____ in the housealso my two best gowns & stays & ____ _____ ____ _____ _____ and alsomy velvet hood & hankerchief, also two cows one store twine onetankard one peuter ______ one _____ and two iron pots two tables &_____.
Item: I give to my Daughter Rachel my next best gown __ also one cow,also my keep (?) & corn & wool & flax & butter & cheese. I give to mytwo daughters their equal proportion to be divided between them.
Item: I give and bequeath to my honnoured mother all my common wearingcloathes ? and I do hereby constitute ordain & appoint my sonNathaniel Sheffield to be my sole Executor of this my Last Will &Testament ratifying & confirming of this and no other to be my lastWill revoking every former will & testament whatever to be void, andconfirming of this to be my will. Signing Sealing publishingpronouncing _______ of this to be my last will & testament the dayabove written.
Mary X Sheffield
Her Mark
In the presence of
Phinehas Adams
Ncholas Roche
Wm Greenwood
Copy in file.
In the Name of God Amen: this fourth day of January anna Domini onethousand seven hundred and fifty four. I Mary Sheffield of Hollistonin the County of Middlesex in the province of the Massachusetts Bay inNew England (widow) about fifth three years of age being very sick andweak in Body but of perfect mind & memory thanks be given to Godtherefore, and calling to mind the mortality of my body knowing thatit is appointed to man once to die, I do make & ordain this my lastwill & Testament that is to say specifically and first of all I giveand recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it & my body Icommit to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian manner at thedefinition of my Executor hereinafter named nothing doubting but atthe resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power ofGod and as ____ching auch worldly goods & ________ it hath pleased Godto bless me with in this life. I give, demise and dispose of the samein manner as followeth.
Item: I give and bequeath to my son Nathaniel Sheffield & his heirsforever all my part of land & buildings in the home place also thewearing apparel which was his Fathers & also my mair and two fattswine also one brass kettle one peuter plate one ____ ____ & one meattu__ also my money due me from Gershom Eames Junr., provided my sonpay out of said money one pound five shillings & eight pence toSamuell Harding of Midway; also provided my son pay my debts & FuneralCharges and provid good decent stones for grave stones and set up atmy deceased husbands & my grave. Furthermore I give & bequeath unto mysaid son all my part in the land which was my Brother JosephSheffields Provided my said son take care of my sister HannahPartridge the widow which now lives with me and provide for her insickness & health things convenient for her in her old age while shelives and at her decease bury her in decent Christian manner.
Item: I give and bequeath to my Daughters Mary Partridge a\& RachelPartridge four acres of land on the other side of the brook in the oldfield so called. Each of them their equal proportion to be dividedbetween them. Also I give to my daughter Mary my ____ in the housealso my two best gowns & stays & ____ _____ ____ _____ _____ and alsomy velvet hood & hankerchief, also two cows one store twine onetankard one peuter ______ one _____ and two iron pots two tables &_____.
Item: I give to my Daughter Rachel my next best gown __ also one cow,also my keep (?) & corn & wool & flax & butter & cheese. I give to mytwo daughters their equal proportion to be divided between them.
Item: I give and bequeath to my honnoured mother all my common wearingcloathes ? and I do hereby constitute ordain & appoint my sonNathaniel Sheffield to be my sole Executor of this my Last Will &Testament ratifying & confirming of this and no other to be my lastWill revoking every former will & testament whatever to be void, andconfirming of this to be my will. Signing Sealing publishingpronouncing _______ of this to be my last will & testament the dayabove written.
Mary X Sheffield
Her Mark
In the presence of
Phinehas Adams
Ncholas Roche
Wm Greenwood
Copy in file.
Events
| Birth | Bet 1700 and 1701 | ||||
| Will | 4 Jan 1754 | Will signed and dated. She was of Holliston, Massachusetts at the time. Copy in file. | |||
| Death | 25 Jan 1754 | Holliston, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts |  | ||
| Will proved | 27 May 1754 | Holliston, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts | |||
| Reference No | 10196 |
Families
| Spouse | Nathaniel SHEFFIELD (1681 - 1753) |
| Child | Nathaniel SHEFFIELD (1727 - ) |
| Child | Mary SHEFFIELD (1730 - ) |
| Child | Rachel SHEFFIELD (1732 - ) |
| Child | Ann SHEFFIELD (1735 - 1743) |
| Child | Catherine SHEFFIELD (1737 - 1744) |
Endnotes
1. Holliston, Middlesex Co., MA, Town Deaths 1725-1843, Pg. 16.