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William Thomas’ will dated July the 9th 1651:
I William Thomas of Marshfield in the Jurisdiction of New Plymouth, being weak in body but of sound mind and memory do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following:
first I commit and commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God trusting in the riches of his grace and mercy in Jesus Christ that he will receive it to himself whensoever he shall please to end my days here; and my body to be decently buried in the place appointed for that use believing the Resurrection thereof at the last Days to be united again to the soul and with it to enjoy eternal glory . And for the disposal of my outward estate I do hereby give and bequeath unto my son Nathaniel and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten the farm which I now live upon with all the appurtenances thereof; only first I do hereby reserve unto my daughter his now wife the third part thereof to be enjoyed by her; in case she shall survive him during the term of her natural life; and also I do hereby give and bequeath unto my grandchild Nathaniel Thomas the house commonly called the old house with the orchard thereto adjoining and the land fenced into the house as also all the meadow lying next to it which is within a creek which runneth to the sluice near the Eagles’ nest and also where the sluice stands; And further I give him all the upland from the said house lying on the left hand of the way as we go to Duxburrow as far as my land reacheth; all which is to be enjoyed by him after the decease of his father; And for the goods and Chattels I do hereby give and bequeath two third parts of a trunk of fine linen unto my son Nathaniel and my daughter his wife; and the other third part my will is shall be divided between their three daughters, Mary, Elizabeth, and Dorothy, and reserved for them; only before it be thus divided into three parts the three tablecloths hereafter expressed shall be taken out, further I give unto my daughter a stitch of Taffeta gown and also a Chamlett gown and a fair red petticoat; further I give unto my grandchild Nathaniel an horse foal now sucking on the mare also to my grandchild Mary Thomas a featherbed a bolster and a pillow with two pillow biers, further I give to the Church of Marshfield a Diaper Tablecloth of nine feet long also I give unto James Pittney two bushels of wheat also I bequeath unto Mr. William Collier an heifer which he shall choose out of three which I now have; and to his wife a Diaper Tablecloth of nine feet in length; Also I bequeath to Edward Buckley a silver beer bowl and to his wife a Diaper Tablecloth of nine foot in length; further I give unto Edward Bumpase a bushel of wheat; and for all the rest of my goods and Chattels I do hereby give and bequeath them to my son Nathaniel whom I do hereby acknowledge the heir of my body lawfully begotten and also make and constitute the sole executor of this my last will and testament. Further I do hereby appoint the above named Mr. William Collier and Edward Buckley the overseers of this my said will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
William Thomas his mark and (seal)
Witness hereof:
John Russell
Henry Drayton his mark
William was honourably buried at Marshfield. “Here lyes what remains of William Thomas Esq one of the founders of New Plymouth Colony who decd in ye month of August 1651 about ye 78th year of his age.”
