"Probate Records. Vol. XV, 1745 to 1750. Page 308-9-10.
Sheldon, Isaac, Hartford. Will dated 11 November, 1746: I, Isaac Sheldon of Hartford, do make this my last will and testament: I give to my wife Theoda the use and improvement of my northeast room, the middle chamber of the dwelling house wherein I now live, and the privilege in the kitchen and well belonging to the house, sufficient for her necessary household work; also the use of 1-3 part of my garden and the privilege in my barn and yard sufficient for the keeping of one or two cows for her use; only not to lease or farm-let to any other, and only during the time she remains my widow. And whereas, at the time of marriage with my sd. wife I received many valuable goods and household stuff with her, for which I gave a receipt to her mother, Mrs. Martha Hunt of Northampton, therein obliging myself and my heirs to return the same at my decease or at the decease of my wife, the wearing excepted, my will therefore is that all these goods mentioned in sd. receipt he returned accordingly immediately after my decease. And further, I give unto my sd. wife all other goods and chattells which she brought to me or that was hers at the time of our marriage, of what kind soever, they to be to her own use forever. And furthermore, provided my wife shall acquit and discharge my executor hereafter named from all claims of her right of dowry or thirds in my estate, that she may or can have thereunto, then my will is that my executors shall in equal proportion pay unto my sd. wife annually £20 money at the rate of 40 shillings per ounce, Troy weight, sterling alloy, during the whole time she shall continue my widow. To my daughter Elizabeth Marsh I give, besides what I have already given her, my homelott in New Hartford (50 acres more or less), to her and her heirs forever. Also, I give unto my daughter Elizabeth £60, to be paid in old tenor bills of credit or in moveables out of my estate equal to silver at the rate of 40 shillings per ounce, to be paid to her within seven years after my decease. Also, I give unto my daughter Elizabeth 20 sheep. To my daughter Sarah Woodbridge I give the sum of £200 besides what I have already given her, to be paid in bills of old tenor or in moveables equal to silver at the rate of 40 shillings per ounce. I give to my youngest daughters, Rebeckah and Hannah Sheldon, £800 apiece, to be paid to each of them in bills of credit in the old tenor or in moveables equal to silver at the rate of 40 shillings per ounce. I give unto my son Isaac Sheldon my dwelling house wherein I now dwell, barn and other buildings, and all that platt or piece of land whereon the sd. buildings are erected, about 5 roods more or less, butting west on a highway, north on the Little River, south on Thomas Welles's land, and extends east as far as the east side of Thomas Welles's land. I give to my three sons, Isaac, Daniel and Joseph Sheldon, besides what I have severally given and done for them, all my estate, both real and personal, not already disposed of, after my lawfull debts, legacies and funeral charges are paid, viz., all my land and right of land in the Townships of Hartford, New Hartford and Colebrook, and my iron works and lands in the Townships of Canaan and Salisbury, all my lands and rights in the Township of Union, in the County of Windham, and at Northampton, in Hampshire County, and all other my lands and rights, whether divided or undivided; also all my moveable estate, as implements of husbandry, stock of cattle, horses, sheep and swine, and all other my goods, cattle and credits, wheresoever they may be found, they paying the above-named legacies, debts and funeral expenses, to be holden equally between them. I appoint my three sons, Daniel, Isaac and Joseph, to be my executors.
ISAAC SHELDON, LS.
Witness: Ann X Buckingham, J: Buckingham, Joseph Olcott.
Court Record, Page 99—2 May, 1749: The last will and testament of Deacon Isaac Sheldon was now exhibited in Court by Isaac Sheldon and Joseph Sheldon, executors named in sd. will. Will proven. Ordered recorded and kept on file.
Page 115—30 January, 1749-50: Isaac, Daniel and Joseph Sheldon, executors and heirs to the estate of Isaac Sheldon, late of Hartford, now move for distribution of the moveable estate: Whereupon this Court appoint Thomas Welles and Ozias Goodwin distributors."
