Estate of John Russ of Andover
Essex Probate Docket # 24365

In the name of God Amen. I John Russ senr of the town of Andover in the county of Essex in new=England being through Gods mercy in health & Enjoying my understanding & memory withall considering my frailty being also in age and so in that respect cannot Expect long to continue here after – using also what sudden changes do frequently fall out considering it to be duty Incumbent for to set things in order before I goo out of this world doo ordaine this my last will & testament comitting my soul into the hands of Jesus Christ my Blessed Saviour & Redeemer my Body to decent Buriall in what place the Lord shall call me out of this present life in hopes of Joyfull Resurrection: at the Resurrection of the Just unto Eternall Life: and for my outward Estate which the Lord hath geen pleased to send mee: I thus Dispose as Followeth:
I Give and Bequeath to my son John Russ my house Lott which I had of the Towne of Andover with all the accomodations and priveleges belonging thereto & my barn orchards and pasture and all my out Lands & meadows and also my hill Lott which I formerly bought of Joseph Parker also my Bedd and Beding and my waring cloths & that also of my Estate which he hath now in his custody (viz) one cow one calfe and one warming pan one quart pott one bason one skillet and iron wedges one ax, armes, linnon \, and one great chaire:
I give and bequeath to my daughter mary Foster all those of my goods and cattle which she my said daughter mary or her daughter Hanah Astin hath now in their custody (viz) one cow, one heifer, chests Boxes Beds & Beding Pewter, and Brass kettels one pottage pot, one Iron skillet fire pan trammill, tongs one frying pan one Iron spit one Iron wedge, Barrills, tubbs, churne trayes pailes dishes, platters, spooons spining wheels and all my wives wearing clothes and linning, & two Bibles. and as concerning a parcell of meadow which lyeth in Shawshoon feild joyning upon the west side of the River which formerly I gave her the use and Improvement of during my life time: I doe now in leiu thereof give her five pounds in currant pay of Andover to be paid by my son John or his Heires to my above Daughter Mary Foster: sometime within three years after my decease but and if my son abovesd fails to pay said five pounds within the terme of time abovesd then shee my said Daughter Mary Foster shall enjoy the abovesd meadow forever according to my will
And I doo appoint & ordaine my son John Russ Executor to this my will, so I take my leve of this World and all things else within this vaile of comitting my soul in to ye hands of Jesus Christ, with whom I hope to live with without and anon & for ye confirmation of this my last will & testament it being writt according to my own mind in every degree & tittle of it I doo put my hand & Seale this seventh day of January one thousand and six hundred ninety one ninety two.

Signed & Sealed in ye presence of us
The marke of with these words at ye End of ye ye Will John Russ Senr seal (it being writt according to my owne mind in Every degree & tittle of it) written before ye signing & sealing hereof

Thomas Osgood This Last will of John Russ Senr of Andover Edward Phelps decesed was presented by ye Executor to ye Court held as appointed march ye 29th 1692 for probate, Thomas Osgood & Edward Phelps gave oath that they did see ye Testator John Russ signe & seale and heard him declare, this as his Last Will & Testament & that at ye same time, according to their best apprehensions he was of a disposing mind & well composed suitable for such work – It being so proved is allowed to be entered & ye Executor is obliged to bring in a true Inventory of ye Estate to ye next Ipswich Court as attests Thos Wade Alan

Source: Will of John Russ, 7 January 1691/2, proved 29 March 1692, Essex County Probate Court, Salem, Massachusetts, Volume 304, pp. 417-418:
Submitted by: Gregory S. Gilman