Person:John Richards (11)

John Richards
m. Bef 1620
  1. Mary Richards1620 - 1659
  2. John Richards1624/25 - 1694
  3. Anna Richards1626 - Bef 1654
  4. Alice Richards1629 - 1671
  5. Hannah Richards1630 - 1651
  6. Lieutenant James Richards1632 - 1680
  7. Samuel RichardsEst 1634 - Bef 1679
  8. Joseph RichardsEst 1636 - Bef 1679
  9. Benjamin RichardsEst 1638 - Bef 1666
m. 3 May 1654
m. 1 Sep 1692
Facts and Events
Name John Richards
Gender Male
Christening[1] 13 Feb 1624/25 Pitminster, Somerset, England
Marriage 3 May 1654 Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United Statesto Elizabeth Hawkins
Marriage 1 Sep 1692 to Anne Winthrop
Other? 1692 Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, United States Salem Witch Trials: Appointed to Court of Oyer and Terminer
Death[1] 2 Apr 1694 Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts
Reference Number? Q6254777?

Because John Richards was wealthy, and had no children, his will identifies many of his nieces and nephews, and is extremely useful genealogically.

In the name of God amen. Apl. 1, A. D. 1694.

I, John Richards of Boston in the County of Suffolke in his Majties Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New Engd, merchant, thro divine grace in good and perfect health and memory, yet knowing the uncertainty of this life on earth, and being desirous to settle that portion of temporal estate which God of his bounty hath made him a steward of, Do make, ordain and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following; First and above all things I commend and commit my soul to Almighty God my Creator, most assuredly believing that when this Earthly Tabernacle shall be dissolved my soul shall be brought to that habitation which is eternal in the Heavens, thro the precious death and merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, my blessed Saviour and Redeemer. My body I commit to the earth from whence it was taken to be buried in such decent manner as my Executors hereafter named shall be thought meet and convenient, hoping for and dying in expectation of that joyful reserrection of the Great Day when soul and body shall be reunited and be forever with the Lord. And as for settling my temporal Estate and such Goods and Chattels and Debts which it hath pleased God far above my desert to bestow upon me, I do order give and dispose the same in manner and forme as hereafter is expressed.

And first I do renounce, revoke, frustrate and make void all Testament or Testaments, Will or Wills by me formerly made by word or writing and appoint this my last Will and Testament and no other. Item I will that those just debts which I do or shall owe to any person or persons whosoever at the time of my decease be well and truly contented, satisfied and paid within convenient time after my decease by my Executors hereafter named. And Whereas I did on contract of marriage with Mrs Ann Winthrop now my wife give as a dower my bond to her brother, Maj. Gen. Wait Winthrop of £2,000 conditioned, that in case of my decease before her, she should have and enjoy to her own proper use forever £l,000 in money of New Engd out of my estate besides what would accrue to her by law out of my Real Estate as per my said Bond, Dated June 1692 more fully appears, I do will and order the said £1,000 to be paid to her in the first place or to her orders in convenient time after my decease.

Item I give and bequeath unto my said wife all that her estate that I had might or should have had with her not to be inventoried or inquired into by my Executors hereafter named.

Item, I give unto my said wife £100 in money more than is above expressed.

Item I give and bequeath unto my said wife £100 worth of my plate to be weighed to her at 6s 8d per oz.

Item I give and bequeath unto my said wife all my Household stuff, apparrel, arms, Books, except what is bequeathed to others hereafter in this my Will, and in lieu of her thirds of my real estate, I give unto my said wife the use of my Mansion house wherein I now live with the Land, Garden, Yards together with the Warehouse Wharffe, Ship-carpenters yard, and pasture thereunto adjoining, with outhouses, Fences, priviledges and appurtenances thereunto belonging during the time of her widowhood and no longer, she maintaining the Houses and fences in good repair. But if she see not cause to accept this proposition, she is to take her Thirds of my Real Estate according to Law and deliver the premises to whom it is bequeathed hereafter in this my Will.

Item I will and bequeath unto my wife's two Brothers and three Sisters £100 in money, that is to say To Maj Gen. John Winthrop £20. To Maj Gen. Wait Winthrop £20. To Mes Elizabeth Endicott £20. To Mes Margaret Corwin £20 and To Mes Martha Wharton £20 Item I will and bequeath unto my Wifes kinswoman Mes Elizabeth Corwin who now lives with us Three score pounds in money and £10 worth of my plate to be weighed at 6s 8d per oz. Item I will and bequeath to my sister Mes Sarah Alline, wife to the Revd Mr James Alline of Boston £100 in money. That is to say For herself £40 being part thereof and £60, the remaining part for her children or Grand children to be distributed by her in proportion as she shall see good.

Item I give and bequeath to my sister Mes Abigail Foster, wife to John Foster Esq of Boston £40 in money.

Item I give and bequeath to Lt. Colonll Elisha Hutchinson of Boston £20 in money, and to his son Thomas Huchinson £50 in money and to his daughter Elizabeth Hutchinson £300 in money and to his daughter Hannah Hutchinson £20 in money. All these legacies and bequests to my brother Elisha Hutchinson and his children I give on condition that his children when they come of age shall confirm the sale of a certain parcel of land adjoining to my land which came to him in the right of his former wife, sister to my late wife deceased and was sold to me by their said father May 10, 1682. I say May the tenth one thousand six hundred and eighty two for £300 in money (much more than it is worth but for my convenience) as by bill of sale on Record appears, and that his children aforesaid do make sale and deliver sufficient conveyance thereof to me or to whom I shall bequeath the same, and that the sd Elisha Hutchinson and sd children do authentically quitclaim to the House and Land I now live in which they may make under any pretense of right from their late aunt, my former wife deceased. But in case of any trouble, disturbance or molestation given by them or any one of them or any from by or under them, or any of them to those to whom I shall bequeath the same or to their heirs or assignes, the said Hutchinson and his children above named shall forfeit the whole Legacies and Bequests above to be recovered by those to whom I shall bequeath sd Lands and Housing or by their heirs or assignes.

Item I give and bequeath to Mr Adam Winthrop son to my Predecessor £100 in money and to his son Adam Winthrop £50 and to his daughter Mary Winthrop £50 in money.

Item I give and bequeath to my nephew Thomas Richards, son to my late brother, James Richards of Hartford Esq all yt my Mansion House and Land which I now live in lying at the Northerly end of the Town of Boston with the Lands adjacent together with the Wharffe Warehouse, Outhousing, Ship-Carpenters yarde, Pasture as well the Land which I bought of my Brother Lt. Coll. Elisha Hutchinson as what I had in right of my Wife, and what I bought of Mr. John Paine deceased, with the Gardens Yardes Fences with their privileges and appurtenances, to him, his heirs and assigns forever. Reserving only the use of all to my now wife during her widowhood, in case she accept of it as is above expressed. If otherwise my wife is to have her thirds according to Law.

Item I give and bequeath to my sister in law, Mes Sarah Davie formerly wife to my late Brother Richards £20 in money.

Item I give and bequeath unto the three daughters of my late Brother Richards the sum of £600 in money. That is to say, Unto Mary, now wife to Mr Benja Alford £200. To Jerusha wife to Mr. Gurdon Saltonstall of New London, £200. To Elizabeth wife to Mr John Davie of New London £200.

" Item I give and bequeath to the children of Sarah daughter to my late Brother, late wife of Capt Benjamin Davis of Boston viz. To Wm Davis all that Wharffe piece and pareell of Land lying above, against and below the mouth and entrance of the Town Dock which I purchased of Mes Elizabeth Woodmansey, Relict of Mr John Woodmansey of Boston (and now let to Mr. John Waite at £6 per annum) with all ye priviledges and appurtenances to the same belonging to the sd William Davis his heirs and assigns forever. And to the three daughters of said Benjamin and Sarah Davis, viz. To Margaret Davis all that House and Land formerly belonging to my Mother Richards lying near the Dock known by the name of Mr. Peter Oliver's Dock, to be to her, her heirs and assignes forever. And to her sisters Sarah Davis and Elizabeth Davis £100 in money to be equally divided between them. The money to be paid to their Father, Capt Benj Davis for their use within six months after my decease.

Item I give and bequeath to John Alford son of Mr Benj Alford, all that piece or pareell of land lying near Beacon Hill which I bought of the late Mr. Richard Knight now in the occupation of Mr. Benj Alford foresd I having formerly given it to his sd son John but he hath no deed of it.

Item I give and bequeath to the children of my late sister Mary, Wife to Mr Thomas Hinckley of Barnstable £500 in money. That is to say Unto Samuel Hinckley £50. To Sarah, wife to Nathaniel Bacon of Barnstable £50. To Mary Wife to Mr John Wibourne of Boston £50. To Hannah Wife to Mr Nathaniel Glover of Dorchester £200. To Melatiah wife to Mr Josiah Crocker of Barnstable £50. To Bathshua Hall of Dorchester £50. To Mehetable Worden of Boston Widow £50.

Item I give and bequeath to the children of my sister Ann late Wife to Mr. Ephaim Hunt of Weymouth deceased £150 in money That is to say To Lt Tho Hunt of Boston £50. To Maj Ephaim Hunt of Weymouth £50 and To Mr John Hunt of sd Weymouth £50.

Item. I give and bequeath unto the children of my late sister Alice, late wife to Maj William Bradford of Plimouth the sum of £510 in money. That is to say Unto Tho Bradford of Connecticott Colony £50 To Alice, Wife to Maj James Fitch of Norwich £50. To Hannah Wife to Joshua Ripley of sd Norwich £50 To Melatiah, Wife to Mr. John Steel of sd Norwich £50 To the children of the late Wm Bradford jun of Plimouth £50 to be paid to their grandfather, Maj Wm Bradford and by him equally to be divided amongst them. To John Bradford £60. To Samuel Bradford £50. To Mary Wife to Mr. Wm Hunt of Weymouth £50. To Sarah, Wife to ---- Baker of Duxbury or somewhere thereabout £50.

Item. I will and bequeath to Elizabeth Adams, Daughter to Alice Wife of the late Rev. Mr. William Adams of Dedham £60 in money, and do also order that she be paid £20 more for money I received of Maj James Fitch aforesd in part of her portion, so that said Elizabeth Adams is to receive in all £100 out of my estate.

Item. I will and bequeath to Mary Wiborne junr daughter of John and Mary Wiborne of Boston above mentioned £30 in money, and to the eldest child of Mrs Mehetable Worden aforesd for the childs proper use £30 in money. To Ann the eldest daughter of Lt Tho Hunt aforesd £30 in money, and to the Eldest child of the above said Maj. Ephaim Hunt £30 in money, and to the eldest child of Mr John Hunt aforementioned £30 in money to be paid to the parents of those that are under age.

Item. I will and bequeath of my Plate as followeth. To my cousin Mary Wise, to Mr. Benj Alford £10 worth of sd Plate at 6s 8d per oz. To Hannah Wise, To Nathaniel Glover aforementioned £10 worth at 6s 8d per oz. To my cousin Elizabeth Hutchinson aforementioned £10 worth at 6s 8d per oz. and To Elizabeth Adams afores4 £6 worth after the same rate.

Item I give to Maj Genl Wait Winthrop my best silver hilted Rapier and best belt, and my Carbine with Belt. And to my Cousin Mr Benj Alford the other silver hilted rapier and next belt and my best saddle with pistols and holsters thereto belonging, And whereas I am still indebted to some of my Sisters grandchildren (that are yet under age) on account of bequests of my late Mother Richards as by her Will dated Jly3. 1679 That is to say Unto the son of the above named Hannah Glover of Dorchester £5. To Samuel Hinckleys child £5. To Sarah Bacon's two Eldest Children £5 each, To Lt Tho Hunt's two Eldest Children £5 each, To John Bradford]'s two Eldest Children [i.e., John and Alice] £5 each, In all £40. My will is that those sums be doubled to them, and that there be paid to the above named children £80 in money proportioned as above.

Item. I will and bequeath to Harvard Colledge at Cambridge in New England £100 in money to be paid by my Executors hereafter named to the Treasurer of said Colledge for the time being to be improved by him and his successors with the advice of the President Fellows in the some meet way, the yearly profit to be towards maintenance of poor schollars at the discretion of the President and Fellows for the time being.

Item I give and bequeath to the Town of Boston £100 in money to be paid to the Treasurer of the said Town for the time being and by him improved in some meet way (or by his successors) with the advice of the Selectmen of sd Town, the yearly profit to be towards the maintenance of the Poor of the Town at the discretion of the Selectmen.

Item I will and bequeath to the Second Church in Boston whereof I am an unworthy member £100 in money to be paid to the teaching Officer or Officers of sd Church for the time being, to be improved by the Deacons of the sd Church (or others whom the Officer or Officers shall appoint) with the advice of said Officer or Officers, the yearly profit to be towards the maintenance of the poor belonging to said Church at the discretion of said Officer or Officers:

Item, I give and bequeath to my Brother Rev. Mr. James Allin, Pastor of the First Church in Boston £20 in money and unto the Rev. Mr Increase Mather of the Church to which I belong £20 in money; and to his son, The Rev. Mr Cotton Mather £20 in money. To the Rev Mr Samuel Willard of the third Church in Boston £10, To the Rev Mr Joshua Moody £10 and to Mr. Bayley, a preacher in Boston £10 in money.

Item I will and bequeath to the Witnesses of this my Will that shall appear at the Probate 20s a piece to bye each of them a Ring. The Remainder of my estate I give and bequeath to the persons and in the proportions following viz. To my beloved wife one eighth part thereof, To my Cousin [hus. of his niece] Capt Benj Davis's children one eighth part to be equally divided amongst them by their father to whom it is to be paid, One eighth part to my cousin, Lt Benj. Alford for his children to be equally divided amongst them. One eighth part to my cousin, Mr Gurdon Saltonstall for his children equally to be divided. One eighth part to my cousin Mr John Davie for his children equally divided. One eighth part to my cousin Lt Tho Hunt of Boston. One eighth part to Maj Ephaim Hunt of Weymouth and one eighth part to Mr John Hunt of Weymouth afore mentioned. And whereas money is mentioned in all the foregoing Bequests, it is because my estate lies principally in money or obligations for money; That my Executors hereafter named may if they shall see cause, pay all such Legacies or any part of them by assigning of the Bonds, or Obligations to the several Legataries respectively which shall answer as if paid in money, anything aforesd notwithstanding to be done within six months after my decease. And in case my estate by God's Providence fall short of what is disposed and bequeathed in this my Will, my Will is that every Legatary be abated proportionably. And I do hereby appoint and ordain my beloved Wife Ann, my Brother, John Foster Esq. and my cousin Lt Benj Alford joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament, and do hereby will and bequeath unto them £150, that is £50 apiece. In Witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal the day and year first above written. Signed, sealed, pronounced and Delivered by John Richards, "as his last Will and Testament in presence of us."

Source:Morse, Abner. Genealogical Register of the Descendants of Several Ancient Puritans, p. 13, adds this information: The above "will was found in his own hand writing," lying "upon his writing Desk in his Closet, immediately upon his decease," neither signed nor witnessed; yet it was set up as his will, "approved and allowed so far as it concerned the distribution of his personal estate"; and the persons named as his executors were appointed to administer.

References
  1. 1.0 1.1 Stott, Clifford L. Humphrey Blake (1494?-1558) and his Descendants in New England and South Carolina: Richards, Selleck, Torrey, and Wolcott. New England Historical and Genealogical Register. (New England Historic Genealogical Society, Apr, Jul, Oct 2009; Jan 2010)
    162:294.

    John Richards, s/o Thomas and Welthean Richards, bp. Pitminster 13 Feb 1624/25, d. Boston 2 Apr 1694, m. (1) Boston 3 May 1654 Elizabeth (Hawkins) (Long) Winthrop, m. (2) Boston 1 Sept 1692 Ann Winthrop, d/o Gov. John Winthrop of Connecticut and Elizabeth Reade.