Elijah Champlin of South Kingstown died testate, having written a will dated 14 January 1779, which was proved on 19 February 1779. The will reads (transcribed by the author from the South Kingstown (Rhode Island) Probate and Town Council Records, Volume 6, Page 110-112, on FHL Microfilm 0,931,835. Some words are difficult to read on the microfilm):
"Be it Remembered that I Elijah Champlin of South Kingstown in the County of Kings County & State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantation being sick and weak in body but of a sound disposing mind & memory Thanks be to God and Calling to mind the mortality of mankind & the Time thereof being uncertain Do make and ordain this my last Will & Testament in manner & form following that is to say -
"First and Principally I recommend my soul into the Hands of Almighty God who gave it and my body to the Earth to be buried in a Christian Like manner at the Discretion of my Executors herein after named and touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me I give and bequeath the same as followeth --
"Imprimus I give & bequeath unto my beloved son Elijah Champlin the Feather Bed that he useth to Lodge on, with Bedstead and beddings thereto belonging, except Curtins --
"Item I give unto my said son Elijah Champlin one Gun one ????? ????? ????? one pair of Pistols, he to have his choice of all my Guns ???? ???? & pistols.
"Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Jeffery Champlin one ???? one Cart??? & one pair of pistols his choice next after his brother Elijah.
"Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Joseph Champlin one Gun he to have next choice Also I give to my said son Joseph Champlin my broad Cloath Coat now riped up and one new Holland shirt.
"Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved son William Champlin one Gun he to have the next choice Also my Large Coat & one new Holland shirt.
"Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved Daughters Mary Gavot and Phebe Card, one pair of Fire Tongs each.
"Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved Daughter Amey Young the Feather Bed Bedstead & Furniture she useth to Lodge on except the Curtins Also one Iron Kettle Fire Shovel & Tongs and one Puter platter.
"Item I give & bequeath unto each of my beloved Daughters Hannah Champlin Anna Champlin Elizabeth Champlin and Alice Champlin one good decent suit of Cloaths fitting & suitable for them respectively when they shall arrive at their respective age of Eighteen years.
"And as to the rest of my Personal Estate be it of what kind or nature soever I give and bequeath the same to my well beloved Wife Phebe Champlin as well for the payment of all my Just Debts & Funeral Charges as also for the payment of the Legacies herein bequeathed and for her support & the support and maintenance of my four youngest daughters to wit Hannah, Anna, Elizabeth, & Alice, till they shall respectively be able to support themselves, and after that Time what I have herein given to my wife to remain to her own use forever.
"Lastly I hereby nominate and appoint my well beloved wife Phebe Champlin Executrix and my beloved son Elijah Champlin Executor of this my Last Will and Testament revoking and Disannulling all former & other wills by me heretofore made ratifying & Confirming this and no other to be my Last Will & Testament. In Witness whereof I the said Elijah Champlin have hereunto my Hand & seal the fourteenth day of Jany in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine.
Signed Sealed Published & Declared
by Mr. Elijah Champlin the Testator to be
his Last Will & Testament
In Presence of Elijah Champlin (seal)
F. Perry
Syrus Babcock"
On ?? March 1779, Freeman Perry and Cyrus Babcock declared that they saw Elijah Champlin, late deceased, sign, seal, publish and declare that the aforementioned instrument to be his last will and testament and that they set their hands as witnesses at the same time in the presence of the testator, and that the testator was of a good sound disposing mind and memory. The will was approved and recorded.
