Benjamin Meeker

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75610810/benjamin-d-meeker
'Last Will and Testament of Benjamin Meeker:

In the Name of God Amen, I Benjamin Meeker of Sandisfield in the County of Berkshire, in the State of Massachusetts-Bay, in New England, Yeoman, being weak in body, but sound in mind and memory, calling to mind the uncertainty of life and my own mortality - do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament n'iz. First of all I commend my Soul through the merits of Christ my Lord to God who gave it - and my Body to the Dust to be buried at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting if its Resurrection at the final judgment, and am touching the Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me. I dispose of it in the following manner, that is to say, first I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Ester, one black mare and women's saddle, and two cows and ten ship, and one half of household goods, and the improvement of one half of the house and barn and improved lands, except what I have given to my son Samuel, while she remains my widow. And the other half of the household goods to dispose of amongst the children as she sees proper.

Second, I bequeath to my son Samuel Meeker and his heirs and assigns forever that part of the 3rd division, lot 6, that remains unsold by me so much of the South Eastwardly part of 4th division, Lot No. 70 as to make one hundred acres including three acres adjoining to said lots, granted as an equivalent for highways and one black mare and yearling horse colt that came of the same mare. One yoke of Oxen and ten sheep and one gun and equipments, and one Silver Watch.

Item 3, I bequeath unto my two sons, Grove Meeker and Forrest Meeker and their heirs and assigns forever, 2 Division Lots whereon I now dwell butted and bounded as may appear by Sandisfield Book of Records, reference thereto being had - also 2nd Division Lot No. 20, that part of it which I have not sold containing about forty acres. Also that part of 4th Division Lot No. 70 that remains over and above what I have given my Son Samuel - said lands to be set off to them as they come severally to be of age 21 years, hereby always reserving the improvements of the lands and buildings thereon already disposed of for the use of my Wife and family as above excepted. Also each of said sons to have a yoke of Oxen and ten sheep, to be delivered to each of them severally as they come of the age of twenty-one years, and to Grove a horse when he comes to be of age of 21 years.

Item 4, I bequeath unto my daughter Rhoda Meeker one cow and six sheep and one red chest of drawers.

Item 5, I bequeath unto my two daughters Eunice Meeker and Hester Meeker and to their heirs and assigns forever, one 5th Division Lot of land No. 15, butted and bounded as may appear on Sandisfield Book of Records reference thereto being had. Also to each of them a cow and ten sheep to be delivered to each of them as come severally to be of the age of 18 years.

Item 6, I bequeath unto my three sons Samuel Meeker and Grove Meeker and Forrest Meeker and to their heirs and assigns forever, four meadow lots of land, one in the meadow known by the name of Sandy Brook Meadow, one in the meadow called Pine Meadow, and two in the meadow called Cheny Meadow.

Item 7, and I do order my Just Debts to be paid out of my personal estate by discretion of my Executors.
Item 8, Finally, I do Appoint and Constitute Leut. Solomon Demming and my son Samuel Meeker my Sole Executors of this my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and nullifying all former Wills and Testaments by me made.
Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament, In Witness and Confirmation of all which I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 1st Day of June, Anno Domino 1777.

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