Thomas Bradbury

Thomas Bradbury

   "Salisbury, an original propr. bur it is not known where he was settled before going to that town, yet prob. at Ipswich, freem. 13 May 1640, rep. 1651 and six years more, recorder for the Co. of Norfolk, when New Hampshire was part of Massachussetts, was a captain and died 16 March 1695. His wife Mary, daughter of John Perkins, after 56 years of good cohabit. was accused of witchcraft in the dark hours of 1692, but her age was not sufficient to condemn her; she was acquitted** and died 20 Dec. 1700." (Savage Vol. I)

   **Note: there are varying stories anout Mary's trial, it does appear she was convicted though not executed and released from prison.

   The Will of Thomas Bradbury proved March 26 1695

   In the name of God, amen. The fourteenth day of February, in the year of Lord one thousand six hundred and ninety-four. I Thomas Bradbury of the town of Salisbury in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, aged, weak in body, but of a good and perfect memory, thanks be to God Almighty for the same, do make, ordain, constitute and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following: revoking and annulling by these presents, all and every testament or testaments, will or wills heretofore by me made and declared either by word or by writing, and this to be taken only for my last will and testament an none other : And being penitent for my sins, I give and commit my soul unto Almighty God my Saviour and my redeemer in whom by the merits of Jesus Christ I trust and believe it assuredly to be saved; and my body to be buried in such place where it shall please my executors to appoint: And for the settling of my temporal estate, such goods, chattels and debts as it hath pleased God far above my deserts to bestow upon me, I do order, give and dispose the same in manner and form following, that is to say:first, I will that all those debts and duties that I owe in right and conscience to any manner of person or persons in favor, shall be well and truly contented and paid or ordained to be paid within convenient time after my decease. So by my executor or executrixes hereafter named,

   Item. I give and bequeath unto my grandchildren, Thomas Bradbury and Jacob Bradbury, all my housing and lands which I now situate, lying and being within the bounds of Salisbury aforenamed and which arable lands and meadow marsh, pasture and swamp lands, or of what sort soever they be, with all rights privileges and commonages thereunto belonging or any ways appertaining; unto them my said grandchildren and their heirs of their body lawfully begotten; the given and bequeathed and demised to be equally divided between my said grandchildren Thomas Jacob, and not to be disposed by selling, letting or any other ways improved, but each to other, and my said grandchildren shall pay unto their Aunt True fourteen pounds, each of them in good pay within one year after they come to the age of one and twenty years. As also my said grandchildren shall acquit and discharge their brother, William Bradbury from all orders of court concerning the division of their father's estate; also my will is that my said grandchildren Thomas and Jacob shall pay unto their grandmother, twenty bushels of corn yearly, such as she shall have need of during her natural life and to find her sufficient wood, winter and summer cut and fit; as also winter and summer meat for two cows, all during her natural life or widowhood: and my will is that my wife what part of my house she thinks meet to require unto the half of it, shall have during her widowhood or natural life, unto her own particular use if she thinks good to require the same.

   Item. I give and bequeath unto my grandchildren Thomas Bradbury all my implements of husbandry and also my young colt.

   Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Stanyon twenty shillings she having had her portion upon marriage.

   Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jane True ten pounds to be made in good pay within one year after my decease.

   Item. I give to my grandchild Elizabeth Buss five pounds in good pay.

   also my will is that five pounds be delivered to the selectman in good pay, then in being of said town of Salisbury by them to be disposed to such of the poor as they judge to have most need of it.

   And lastly I do ordain and appoint my dearly and well beloved wife, Mary Bradbury and my dearly and well beloved daughter Judith Moody my executors or executrixes to this my last will and testament.

   In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above named.

   Thomas BradburySigned sealed and declared to be the last will and testament of Mr. Thomas Bradbury in ye presence of William Buswell, Isaac Buswell, William Buswell, jr.

https://ma-vitalrecords.org/MA/Essex/Salisbury/aBirthsB.shtml "(Bradbury) Thomas, s. Thomas and Mary, 28: 11m: 1640." Note - "11m: 1640" is January 1641.

https://ma-vitalrecords.org/MA/Essex/Salisbury/aDeathsB.shtml "(BRADBURY (Bredbury)) Thomas, Ens., Mar. 10, 1718-19. NCTBK"