Estate of Joseph Allen of Gloucester
Essex Probate Docket # 460

In the name of God, Amen. I Joseph Allen of Gloucester, New England, being infirm of Body but of sound mind and Perfect Memory, Praise to God for it, do make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following: First and Principally, I commend my Soul unto the Hands of Almighty God Hoping through Jesus Christ to inherit eternal Life-and my Body I commend to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named and as touching of all all such Temporal Estate as it has Pleased God to bestow upon me I give and dispose thereof as follows:
Imprimus, I will that all my debts and following legacys and financial charges be paid by my Executor hereafter mentioned. Item: I will to my beloved son Joseph (besides what I have already for him) twenty five pounds in Province Bills of Credit or in Stock equivalent and also my Gold Ring.
Item: I will to my daughter Rachel (Besides what I have already done for her) ten pounds in Publick Bills of Credit and also five sheep.
Item: I will to my son Thomas (besides what I have already done for him) Fifteen Pounds in Province Bills of Credit or Stock equivalent.
Item: I will to my son John (besides what I have already done for him) Thirty Pounds in Bills of Credit or Stock equivalent.
Item: I will to my daughter Anne (besides what I have already done for her) Fifteen Pounds in Province Bills of Credit or Stock equivalent.
Item: I will to my daughter Rose Sixty pounds in Bills of Credit or Stock. And in case she never marrieth, then shall have liberty to abide in the Eastern Chamber of my Dwelling House during her life.
Item: I will to my grandchild Jeremiah Five pounds in Bills of Credit or in Stock equivalent in case he lives to be twenty one years old.
Item: I will to my beloved wife Rose a third part of my Real and Personal Estate for her sole benefit and use and that during her natural life and if that be not sufficient Support Shall have twenty shillings a year out of the two thirds remaining as long as she remains a widow.
Item: I will the remaining part of my Estate in Gloucester or elsewhere both Personal and Real with Houses, barns, lands, Rights, Chattle, Privileges whatsoever to my two youngest sons Samuel and Zerubbabel to be equally divided betwixt them.
Finally, I constitute said youngest sons Samuel and Zerubabbel the Executors of this my Last will and Testament and said Executors are to pay all the above said Legacys within two years of my decease.

Joseph Allen

Source: Will at Mass Archives, vol 315, pp. 135-6.

Submitted by: Diana Nelson