Will of John Knowlton of Ipswich, Massachusetts

The 29th of ye 9th Month: 1653. I the saide John Knowlton being at this present time in perfect memory I make my wife executrix, and I do give unto Margery my wife my hoose and land and cattle with other estate for her use and the bringing of my children up--- so long as she lives, and after her death ye remainder to be divided half of it to my eldest sonne John, and the other half of it to be divided between my sonne Abraham and my daughter Elisabeth: and if it please God any of my children do change their condition, it is my desire with the advice of Mr. Symonds and our pastor and ye overseers and my wife consenting thereto, that they should impart something unto them according as God shall give you; and I give to Margery my wife all my hoosehold goods to be at her own disposing, only my shop tools I give to my oldest sonne John, and some of my wearing clothes to my brother William, and I make Mr. Treadwell, my brother Wilson and my brother Thomas Knowlton my overseers. Theopholes Wilson and Thomas Knowlton sworne, testified that John Knowlton was redy to have subscribed this to be his last will if his wife did accept to be executrix within two dayes which she did, and so this is proved to be his will in the Court held at Ipswich the 28th of March 1654.
per me Robert Lord cleric

An inventory of the Estate of John Knowlton, and Marjery his wife, of Ipswich, both deceased taken the,
3rd of March 1653-4.

“sum total is 158L. 15s 3d.

(signed)
Robert Payne
Robert Lord

Will of Marjery, Widow of John Knowlton

This is to certify that I, Margery Knowlton, widow, do make my Bro. Thomas Knowlton, executer to use and assigne in my steade to fulfill my husband’s Will, and also for myselfe to give to my children according to our Wills for my household doe give equally to be devided between my three children John, Abraham, and Elizabeth. Only I give my gread Byble to John and all my wearing apparell to Elizabeth, and an iron pott with a bed ticke that is hers and 20s that is John’s and two candlesticks that are Abrahams and I make Mr. Treadwell and my brother Wilson my overseers. Also Abraham is to have the yearne and cloth to make two shifts and to have a new hatt.

The Marke of margery Knowlton.      The 3 wer made before she set her hand.

Proved in Courte held at Ipswich the 28th of March 1655 by the oath of Theopolis Wilson Elizabeth Wilson and Wm. Treadwell.
Before me Robert Lord, Cleric

(transcribed by Jan (Wilson) Ramos, 10 May 1999, from “The History and Genealogy of the Knowltons of England and America”, by Rev. Charles Henry Wright Stocking, D.D., New York, 1897)