Estate of Willam Basssett of Lynn
Essex Probate Docket # 2048

In the name of God Everlasting Amen: I William Bassett Senr. of Lyn in ye County of Esex in Newengland being of good & perfect memory & Rationally Disposed And having attained to ye years of a good old age & being very sensable of ye decay of nature & ye many Distempers & Infirmities that do attend my outward (mein? man?) not knowing how soone my great & last chang may come have therefore taken this opportunity to settle ye affaires of my family & so leave this as my last will and testament. Impr: as for my precious mortall soul I freely resign it to him that gave it & to my Redeemer Jesus Christ which by his precious blood hath ransome my soul from Death. as for my body which is fraile I comend it to ye dust willing a decent Interment thereof suitable to my Rank & quality. Although worms my skin destroy yet in my flesh I shal see God-Amen.
As for the disposall of my outward Estate which God of his Goodness hath given mee - my will is that after my funerall charges & lawfull debts bee paid I bequeathe to my deare & loving wife who hath bin carefull of mee & industrious in her place for ye procurement of what outward Estate I have I bequeath unto her the Improvement of my whole Estate during her naturall life and all the moveable estate in my house which is mine to be at her disposall - as shee shall see cause:
Item: I give to my eldest son willm Bassett all ye housing land meddowes marshes and movables within ye bounds of Lyn township or Elsewhere to bee at his absolut disposall: further it is to bee under stood that my son willm Bassett is to pay out of such Estate all such Legasies as I shall give to ye rest of my children as followeth: Item: I give to my son John Bassett five pounds in mony:
Item: I give to my son Elisha Bassett fivetie shillings in mony: Item: I give to my son Samuel Bassett fivetie shillings in mony:
Ittem I give to my daughter Elizebeth Bassett allias Richards forty shillings in mony:
Item: I give to my daughter Sarah Elwell fortie shillings in mony:
Item: I give to my daughter Merriam Sandy fortie shillings in mony:
Ittem I give to my daughter Mary Ruck fortie shillings in mony:
Ittem I give to my daughter Rachel Silsbe fortie shillings in mony:
Ittem I give to my daughter Rebeckah Bassett fortie shillings in mony:
Ittem I give to my daughter Hannah Lille fortie shillings in mony--and if any of ye above named Children Except my son Willm should dye then to be divided Equaly amongst them all. It is to be understood that these legasies are to be paid within a one yeare after my disease and my wives and my will is that neither str nor waste be made But to the end foresaid.
Ittom my will is that my son William Bassett bee sole Executtor to this my last will and testament. Heare unto I have sett to my hand and seale this tenth day of february in the yeare of our 1701.

Sighned William Bassett with a seale

Wittnessed by Before sighning it is to be understood that my son William Bassett is to have my whole Estate as is above mentioned to him & his heirs for ever.

Witnesses:
Samuel Johnson
Lois Rogers
Ezekiel Rogers

Will of William Bassett, proved and allowed May 22, 1703

Source: Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts

Submitted by: Anne Miller