"Probate Records. Vol. VI, 1695 to 1700. Page 1.
Marshall, John, Wethersfield. Invt. £36-13-00. Taken 17 February, 1696-7, by Thomas Welles & Thomas Griswold. Will dated 1st February, 1693-4.
I John Marshall of Wethersfield, in the County of Hartford, in New England, intending to goe to Sea, for the Settlement of my Outward Estate I dispose the same in manner following: I give to my wife Mary during her Widowhood. If she bear me a child, then provision is made for that, either a son or a daughter. If no Child be born to my wife, then my wife Mary to have the Land during her Widowhood. But all the Houseing and Lands given me by my father Thomas Marshall, at my wife's Marriage or Deacease, to revert to my two brothers, Thomas and Benjamin Marshall. In Case I do not return home before my Decease, then I do Will the Authorities of this Colony, that shall then be, shall put in an Executor to this my Will.
JOHN MARSHALL, LS.
Witness: John Welles, Margaret Welles.
Thomas Seamore, aged about 20 years, and Robert Webster, aged about 20 years, certifieth and saith: That being in Boston in December last past, then met with Thomas Marshall, Brother to John Marshall, that married Mary North of Wethersfield, who went away to sea together, viz, Thomas Marshall and John Marshall aforesd., and Thomas Marshall had information that his Brother John Marshall was dead, that he died in France, and that he had creditable information that it was so, and that he did believe that his Brother John was dead according to the information he had received. Further he saith not.
On the 10th day of March, 1696-7, Thomas Seamore and Robert Webster personally appeared before me and made Oath to the above written Testimony. James Fitch, Assistant.
The above written Inventory was presented to the Apprisers by Mary Marshall, the wife of John Marshall, late of Wethersfield, as she acknowledged in Court, 10th March, 1696-7. Attest: Caleb Stanly, Assistant.
Court Record, Page 146—(Vol. IV) 4 March, 1696-7: Whereas, Mary Marshall, the Widow of John Marshall of Wethersfield, presented an Inventory of her husband's Estate to this Court, with his last Will, and he having been absent a considerable time, and she hearing by Sundry persons that the sd. John Marshall dyed in France, and no Executor named in sd. Will, Adms. is granted to Mrs. Mary Marshall the Widow."
