"46 Dea. James Hovey3, born in Hadley, Mass. [probably in Milton, Mass.], about 1691. He was a sadler, called, in 1717, a saddle-tree maker, and in 1753 he was called a yeoman. He lived in Charlestown until 1724, when he settled in Malden, where he subsequently resided. … Deacon Hovey died in Malden July 13, 1765, aged about seventy-four.
The following is a copy of his will transcribed from the original instrument on file in the probate office at Cambridge:—
In the name of God Amen, the fxteenth Day of February one Thoufand feven Hundred and fixty two— I James Hovey of malden in the County of Middlefex in the Province of the Maffachufets Bay in New England being far advanced in years and often exercifed with bodily infirmities but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given to God for it, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to dye, do make and ordain this my laft Will and Teftament, princapaly and firft of all I recommend my foul into the hands of God that gave it and my Body I recommend to the Earth to be Buried in decent Chriftian burial at the decretion of my Exectrex nothing doubting but at the General Refurection I fhall receive the fame again by the mighty power of God and as touching Such worldly Eftate wherewith it hath pleafed God to blefs me in this life I give and difpofe off in the following manner and form viz.
Imprimis. I give unto Sufannah my well beloved Wife all my Perfonal Eftate to be at her difpofal for ever, except what I herein give to my fon Jofeph Hovey. as for my fon John loft at fea I have don a great deal for him, and my Daughter Mary Sprague I gave her about fore hundred pounds old tenner when fhe was married and befides what I have done for her and her brother John fhe with her Brother Jofeph and Johns two Children will by Law have my Buildings which coft me above a thoufand pounds old tenner becaufe I built on the Land that was my firft Wife, their Mother, which will be equaly divided between them, as for my beloved fon Jofeph Hove if he livs to com home again I give to him ║my║ Cain, Belt and fword befids what he will have of my buildings and Land that I am in the poffiffion of. I Conftitute make and ordain fufannah my beloved wife Executrex and my Brother in Law ║ritchard Dexter║ Executor of this my laft Will and Teftament and I do hereby utterly revoke and difanul all other former wills, Teftaments and Bequeaft whatfoever by me before named, willed and bequeathed ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my laft will and Teftament I Wittnefs whereof I have hereunto fet to my hand and Seal the Day and year above written.
Signed, sealed, Publifhed, Pronounfed and declaired by the faid James Hovey to be his laft will and Teftament in the prefents of us the fubfcribers
Nathan Dexter Samuel Baldwin William Dexter
The will was proved and Mrs. Hovey appointed executrix Oct. 22, 1765."
