THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JOHN SPOFARD, SENIOR
I comit my soule into the hands of god who gave it, and my body to the earth, to be
decently buried, and as to that estate which the lord hath given, dispose of it as
follows after my debts are payd.
Imprimis: - As for my dear and loving wife, I give to her the lease of the house and
lands of Mrs. Prudence Cotton.
Also I give to her all the household stuff, to be at her disposal, except the arms and
ammunition. Also I give to her two cows, and one calfe, also four sheep. I give to her
and my son Francis, to be equally divided between, one young horse, also to have the
use of four acres of land at the farm during her life. Furthermore, I will that my son
Francis his portion be at my wife's disposal till he comes to the age of twenty-one years if
she live so long, for that end that he may be helpful to her to carry on her husbandry
work.
Item: That which I give to my son Francis, is the two young oxen, and the mare and the
cart, and all the furniture belonging to husbandry. Also one yearling calf, these to be at
my wife's disposal till he be of age above said, and these things, or the worth of them, to
be faithfully payed to him. Also I give him the small gun , and four acres of land at great
meadows, and what may so fall by virtue of any town grant.
Item: I give to my son John, two stears coming three years old, and the long fowling
piece, and one halfe of the lease of the farm together with twenty pounds stocke I
formerly gave him.
Item: I give to my son Thomas, my vilage lands, and the gray horse and two sheepe,
and one spring hog, and one two year old heifer and the great musket.
Item: I give to my son Samuel, the other halfe of the lease of the farm and two young
steers, one that come three year old and one that come four year old and one spring
hog, and about ten pound stock I have already given him.
Item: I give to my daughter Elizabeth one two year old heifer and two sheep.
Item: I give to Hannah one cow, one three year old heifer, and two sheep.
Item: I give to my daughter Mary one cow and one calf and two sheep.
Item: I give to my daughter Sarah, one cow and one calf and two sheep.
Item: I also appoint my louing wife and my son Thomas to be joint executors of this my
last will, and my children to be payd at marriage or at coming one and twenty years old,
and if any die before, their portion to be divided among the rest.
In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal 8th 8th month,
(Oct. 7TH) 1678.
JOHN SPOFARD.
Signed, sealed and delivered
in presence of us,
John Johnson,
Philip Nelson.
In court held at Ipswich, 6th. 9th. Month, 1678, this will proved to be the last will and
testament of John Spaford, by the oaths of Philip Nelson and John Johnson.