Person:John Ashcraft (7)

John was Lieutenant-Captain of Groton, Connecticut. He was also apparently a gentleman of some means, judging by the number of canes, wigs, and silk handkerchiefs in his estate. He left a bequest of £20 to his 3rd son, Daniel, but there is no evidence it was ever collected. Will witnessed by Samuel Burrows.^[1]

WILL of JOHN ASHCRAFT 1671-1732

Groton June the 5th Anno Domino 1732 In the name of God amen, I John Ashcraft of Groton and County of New London and Colony of Conocutt in New England Calling to mind the mortality of my body knowing that it is appointed for all men to dy and being sick -- and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God for I do make And ordaine this to be my Last Will & Testament. First I give and bequeathe my sole unto God that gave it and my body. I rocommend to the Earth to be Decently buried at ye descrieon of my Executors and as touching my worldly estate as God has pleased to bless me with. I do here dispose of as followeth -----In primos I give unto my Loving Wife Mary Ashcraft All my Personal Estate to be at her disposal for ever after. Also I give unto my Loving wife Mary the Improvement of my housing and Land, at Nowaink [Noank] that is to say for long as she remains my Widow but in case she shall see fit to marry againe then to have but one third part of ye overall Personal Estate above said. ITEM: I give unto my son John Ashcraft 1696-1745 twenty shillings money or bills of credit..he having received his portion before. ---- ITEM: I give unto my SON DANIELL ASHCRAFT 1698-1755 twenty pounds money or bill of credit ---ITEM: I give unto my son Ephram Ashcraft 1701-1720 twenty shillings money or bill of credit. He having received his portion before [torn section]

[p. 2]

ITEM: I give unto my son Jedediah Ashcraft 1702-1772 Five Shillings money or bill of credit. He having received his porchion before - - ITEM: I give unto my dafter [daughter] - Mary Willis Five shillings money or bill of credit. She having received her portion before - - - All which Legacies to be paid within six months after the Decease of my Wife, Mary - which I do order my Executor here after named to pay x ______. ITEM: I give unto my son Uriah Ashcraft 1708-1791 All my housing and lands not disposed of in the township of Groton together with all my rights in the common land in said Groton. If my son Uriah Ashcraft paying all my just debts and legal fees aforesd and funerall charges And If my son Uriah Ashcraft should die without [illegible] then after ye debts and legacies are paid to be equally divided amongst all my children. ITEM: I do constitute and appoint my son Uriah ashcraft to be my Sole Executor to this my Last Will and Testamont - - - Signed, sealed and declared to be my Last Will and Testament this Fifth Day of June 1732 in presence of us: Ebenezer Avery, Sam Burrows, John Avory

[signed] John Ashcraft (his 'A' mark)

[p. 3]

[top part crossed out, very difficult to read]

Lieut Ebenezer Avery & Sgt John Avery and Samuel Burrows personally appeared and made solem oath [illegible] Law. John Ashcraft [illegible] with in instrument and declaration [illegible] Last Will & Testament and [illegible] Sound mind & memory in [illegible] Groton June 21st 1732 Before me James Morgan Justice of Peace Recorded in the 6th Book of Wills for N. London District folio gg.100 March 31st 1733 Signed [illegible] clerk

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} "Stonington Vital Records" [NEHGS], in Connecticut, United States. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records
   p. 3.

   ASHCRAFT, ASCRAFT
   John, s. John, b. Aug. 12, 1671 [ 1:136 ]
   [Note: in original, recorded with birth and death of sister Hannah, i.e., in 1673, so somewhat after the fact.]

2. ↑ Find A Grave.

   Find a Grave

3. ↑ Connecticut. Probate Court (New London District). Probate records, 1675-1916. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1982)
   Vol. C, p. 572.

   Will of "John Ashcraft of sd Groton", dated 6 Jun 1732, proved 21 Jun 1732, names:
   Wife Mary
   Sons: John, Daniel, Ephraim, Jedidiah, Uriah
   Daughter Mary [W?]illis
   Witnesses: Ebenezar Avery, Samll Burrows, John Avery
   [p. 570] 10 Jul 1732: Inventory of Capt John Ashcraft late of Groton Deceased: £339-7-6, by Ebenzer Avery, John Avery, James Morgan Jun.

4. ↑ ^4.0 4.1 Vernon, Katheryn B. Histories of My Early Ashcraft Ancestors in America: 1662-1967. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Family History Library, 2010)
   Pg. 2, 4.

   [Family group sheet on p. 2 gives birth location of Groton which appears contradicted by text on p. 4. (Additionally, Groton not a town until 1705 - wikipedia:Groton, Connecticut#History).]
   12 Sep 1670 John purchased land in Stonington 14 Mar 1669/70, married to Hannah Osborne in Stonington, 3 Mar 1670-71 "went to the farme To live" apparently a farm he rented from Thomas Minor of Stonington, 14 Agust 1671 "son was borne it being Monday as I was informed".
   [Note: 14 Aug 1671 was a Monday. In Thomas Minor's diary, the source for these writings, the birth is found between two entries for March 1670/71, i.e., out of order, see here.]