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The Will of Elizabeth Wolcott, nee Saunders, made 5 July 1655 and proved 4 October 1655
The Will of Elizabeth Wolcott, nee Saunders, made 5 July 1655 and proved 4 October 1655
Unfortunately an image of Elizabeth's will has not been located so this transcription has come from the Hartford County probate records
I Elizabeth Wolcott doe make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following:
Imp[rimi]s. I will yt my sonn George shall have £5 worth of my part of ye household goods and £5 worth of my cloathes.
Allsoe I give unto Simon my Sonne ye bluewish stuff hee bought for me ye last yeare.
I give ye rest of my household goods to be equally divided betwixt Christover and Simon, my Sonnes.
Allsoe I give ye rest of my cloathes to be equally divided betwixt my two daughters Anne and Mary Allyn.
I would intreat Christover to lett Simon to dwell in ye house and to have ye use of halfe of it a while.
Allsoe I give my two Cowes to be equally devided among all my Grand Children.
Moreover my will is yt whereas I have appointed my part of ye household Goods to be devided betwixt Christover and Simon, except £5 to George, now my Will is yt it shall soe Stand upon yt Condition yt Christover and Simon does release their parts of ye Household Goods, or else there shall bee soe much taken out of this as their parts of ye rest of ye Goods comes to.
Witness: John Witchfield.
[Signed:] Elizabeth X Wolcott.
[Probate:] On the 4th of October (1655) ye above written was approved by ye Courte and ordered yt it should bee recorded by ye Secr.
Transcription Notes
Transcribed using the semi-diplomatic convention.
Spelling and Language: The spelling reflects 17th-century usage. For example, "ye" represents "the," and "yt" stands for "that."
Abbreviations: "Imp[rimi]s" is an abbreviation for "Imprimis," meaning "in the first place."
Monetary Values: Amounts are denoted in pounds (£), the currency of the time.
Witness and Signature: Elizabeth signed with an "X," indicating she may have been illiterate or too infirm to write her name.
Probate Approval: The will was proved and approved by the court on 4 October 1655, ensuring its legality and execution.
The Will of Henry Wolcott, made 30 May 1655 and proved 4 October 1655
The Will of Henry Wolcott, made 30 May 1655 and proved 4 October 1655
[Endorsement at bottom:]
Entered & approved in the Court holden at Hartford Octob[e]r 4th 1655 by the Court ---
as attest John Cullick Secret[ary]
The thirtiet[h] of May one thousand six hundred and fifty five ---
I Henry Wilcott being sick of body but of p[er]fect memory do make and ordaine
this my last will and testament in manner and forme following ---
first I commend my soule to god my maker hoping assuredly through the
onely merritt of Jesus Christ my Saviour to be made partaker of life ever-
lasting: and I commend my body to the earth to be decently buried ---
It[em] I will that my wife shall have all my goods and moveables untill
the ground and my debts be throughly made even according to the meaning of this
will: also I give unto my wife two of my cowes and halfe of the
household goods in my dwelling house: also I leave
unto my daughter Ann my land in
England to be hers without molestation: also I give
unto him my two books of Mr Bolton: also I give to my son Henry the
browne cow, my lott in the meadowes after my decease, and my
bookes, bed, and clothing especially after the death of my wife, reserving
out of it forty shillings after my wives decease as is hereafter expressed ---
also I give to Mary my youngest daughter five pounds to be paid out
of that forty shillings: also I give to my wife my house and
my land in the outward field with the goods arising by the land and
meadow: also to Elizabeth and Ann my eldest daughters five pounds
to be payd --- the rest of my land to the rest of my sons to be equally divided
amongst all my children: also I appoint my wife
to be executrix of this my last will and testament ---
also my will is that my executrix or some shall cause my lott
in the plaine meadow after the decease of my wife ---
also my will is that my debts shall be first paid.
An Inventory of the goods and chattells of Henry Wilcott deceased taken this 16th of October 1655
Imp[rimi]s his house housing outhousing orchard garden pasture ground and fencing thereto belonging
............................................................................. £135 – 00 – 00
It[em] twelve acres in the great meadow at 4[l] p[er] acre
.............................................................................. £048 – 00 – 00
It[em] eight acres in plaine meadow
.............................................................................. £032 – 00 – 00
It[em] twenty four acres at Podunk at 2[s] p[er] acre
.............................................................................. £054 – 00 – 00
It[em] meadow field lott and lying
.............................................................................. £024 – 00 – 00
It[em] the lott at Naubuc
.............................................................................. £010 – 00 – 00
It[em] horses other lotts not found
.............................................................................. £008 – 05 – 00
It[em] the goods in the parlour
.............................................................................. £037 – 10 – 00
It[em] in wearing clothes
.............................................................................. £024 – 10 – 00
It[em] in the parlour chamber
.............................................................................. £010 – 00 – 00
It[em] in the kitchen
.............................................................................. £027 – 17 – 08
It[em] the arms
.............................................................................. £003 – 18 – 00
It[em] the books and other things in the closet
.............................................................................. £011 – 00 – 00
It[em] in the kitchen chamber
.............................................................................. £015 – 09 – 06
It[em] in the rooffloft and beds
.............................................................................. £009 – 03 – 04
It[em] in the leantoo
.............................................................................. £010 – 00 – 00
It[em] in the working house
.............................................................................. £008 – 00 – 00
It[em] in the ware house
.............................................................................. £004 – 06 – 06
It[em] in the seller
.............................................................................. £007 – 08 – 00
It[em] some other things lost and in house
.............................................................................. £026 – 09 – 02
It[em] debts due to him about
.............................................................................. £128 – 10 – 02
It[em] in cattell
.............................................................................. £063 – 10 – 00
It[em] debt the time and merchant’s to be paid
.............................................................................. £026 – 03 – 06
The totall summe of the goods and estate amounts to
.............................................................................. £704 – 08 – 10
His debts are about
.............................................................................. £025 – 15 – 10
Transcription Notes for Henry Wilcott’s Will & Inventory
General Principles (applied across all pages)
Original spelling and punctuation have been preserved as per the semi-diplomatic c
Abbreviations have been expanded using square brackets:
e.g., It[e]m = Item, Imp[rimi]s = Imprimis.
Capitalisation and line breaks follow the manuscript as closely as possible.
Superscript letters in abbreviations are silently expanded into the line.
Currency is preserved in its historical format: pounds (£), shillings (s), pence (d) — shown as £ – s – d.
Illegible or missing text is denoted with ellipses or dashes only when clearly present in the manuscript.
Obvious line-filling dashes at the end of manuscript lines are rendered as “---”.
The Will
Date and Heading:
Line 1 begins with “The thirtiet[h] of May one thousand six hundred and fifty five” — this is a common style for dating wills.
“Thirtiet[h]” includes a contraction with a superscript h, silently normalized.
Religious Language:
Lines 4–6 include conventional Puritan Christian testamentary phrasing, common in 17th-century wills, commending the soul to God and body to burial.
“Onely merritt of Jesus Christ” is standard theological language asserting salvation by grace.
Gifts and Bequests:
“It[e]m” marks each bequest. “Item” is often abbreviated and has been expanded accordingly.
References to “my wife”, “my daughter Ann”, “my son Henry”, and “my daughters Elizabeth and Ann” indicate typical patterns of inheritance.
Books and Personal Goods:
Line 13 refers to “my two books of Mr Bolton” — this likely refers to works by Robert Bolton, a popular Puritan author. Books were rare and valuable assets.
The phrase “my lott in the meadowes” and “my land in the outward field” references real property holdings — these are not inventoried specifically in the will but are in the inventory.
Special Phrasing:
“without molestation” (line 12) means without legal challenge or interference.
“forty shillings after my wives decease as is hereafter expressed” (line 16) refers to a conditional legacy.
Repeated use of “also I give” is formulaic and typical of the genre.
Appointment of Executrix:
The wife is named as executrix, reflecting her responsibility for administering the estate.
Court Approval:
The final lines (27–28) record probate:
“Entered & approved in the Court holden at Hartford Octob[e]r 4th 1655… as attest John Cullick Secret[ary]”
Inventory
Inventory Format:
The inventory is dated October 16, 1655, shortly after probate on October 4.
Follows standard format of:
Item description
Monetary value
Repeated use of “It[e]m” (abbreviated from “Item”).
Real Estate:
Lines 2–15 list property holdings:
“house housing outhousing orchard garden pasture ground…” = domestic and agricultural real estate.
“great meadow”, “plaine meadow”, “Podunk”, “Naubuc” = specific landholdings in the Connecticut River Valley.
Valuations suggest price per acre is implicitly calculated (e.g. £48 for 12 acres = £4 per acre).
Personal Property:
Household goods are divided by room:
“parlour”, “kitchen”, “parlour chamber”, “kitchen chamber”, “leantoo”, “working house”, “ware house”, “seller” (cellar), “rooffloft”.
Clothing is inventoried separately (“wearing clothes” = £24 10s, a significant amount).
Books are grouped with “other things in the closet” — reflects their value and symbolic weight.
Livestock and Arms:
“cattell” = livestock (line 44).
“the arms” (line 24) may refer to personal weapons, likely required for militia duty.
Debts Owed to Estate:
“debts due to him about” = accounts receivable (line 42).
Debts Payable:
“debt the time and merchant’s to be paid” refers to outstanding liabilities (line 46).
Distinction is made between gross estate value (£704) and debts (~£25–26).
Summary Values:
Line 49 totals the estate at £704 – 08 – 10.
Line 51 lists debts as £025 – 15 – 10, to be deducted to calculate the net estate.
The Will of Thomas Saunders, made 27 May 1609 and proved 2 September 1609
The Will of Thomas Saunders, made 27 May 1609 and proved 2 September 1609
General Notes:
Language & Script:
The will is written in early 17th-century English using secretary hand—a common script in legal documents of that time.Spelling Variations:
Standardised spelling did not exist. Words are often phonetically spelled or abbreviated. E.g.:“ye” = “the” (using the old English thorn letter)
“Item” introduces each clause/bequest.
“sonne” = “son”, “daughters” = “daughters”
“testam’t” = “testament”
“p’cell” = “parcel”
“legacies” = “bequests”
Abbreviations & Contractions:
Common Latin abbreviations are used in the probate section (e.g., etc., jurato, examinat).
Superscript letters are used for contractions (e.g., “p’cell” for parcel, “wch” for “which”).
Legal and Religious Phrases:
“In the name of God amen” is a typical opening for wills of the time.
“Soul to Almighty God” is part of the religious formula.
The executor and overseers are assigned to carry out and witness the will.
Opening Formula:
“In the name of God amen” is a standard religious introduction.
Date references James I (“James by the grace of God King of England...”).
Will was written “the seventeenth and twentieth day of May,” meaning the 27th day (using Roman dual dating).
Probate Notes (Latin Section):
Latin confirms the will was proven at London on 13 September 1609.
Executor Thomas Saunders (likely the son) was sworn in.
Phrases:
juramento Thomae Saunders = “by the oath of Thomas Saunders”
executoris in huiusmodi testamento nominati = “executor named in this testament”
commissa fuit administratio = “administration was granted”
In the name of god amen. The seaventh and twentith day of May in the seaventhe yeare of the reigne of our soveraigne Lord James by the grace of God king of England, ffraunce and Ireland and the ffourth and ffour of Scotland defender of the faythe &c Anno domini 1609. I Thomas Saunders of the parishe of Lanington in the countie of Somerset and of the diocesse of Bath and Wells being of good and perfect remembrance (for which God be thanked) doe make this my last will and testament, in manner and forme following. ffirst I bequeathe my soule to allmighty God and my body to Christian buriall. Item I give to the Cathedrall Church of Wells tow pence. Item I give towarde the reparations of the Church of Lanington twelve pence. Item I will my eight foote square stone to be buried in the Church. Item I give to the poore people of Lanington ffive shillings to be delivered by the discretion of my overseers hereafter to be appointed unto those that have most neede. Item I give to my godchildren twelve pence a peece. Item I give to my sonne Thomas a parcell of grounde commonly called Pester Close, within the parishe of Woollavington for and during the naturall lyfe of my sonne John paying yearly of lawfull English money to the poore Quakers some and equall portion of the yearly rent of this said close due lawfully to the owner, if he do keepe it to his owne use, otherwise the said Thomas shall not have the said Close, but to be had to him his heires executors and assignes, and the said Thomas to be unmarried having no children, the same to be and remayne unto my sonne John’s best and eldest son lawfully begotten and enfeoffed. but if it happen that the said Thomas dye unmarried having no children, that then it shall bee bestowed unto the children of my daughter Grace, to be equally devided among them, at the discretion of my overseers hereafter named. Item I give to my sonne John the free tenement that I dwell in with the outhouse, gardens, and orchards thereunto belonging, to be his during his naturall life, he paying out of the same the rent to the lord of the fee, and all other duties and charges thereunto belonging. And after his decease to the heires male of his body lawfully begotten, and for want of such heires, to my sonne Thomas and his heires male of his body lawfully begotten. And for default of such issue, to the children of my daughter Grace to be equally divided amongst them. Item I give to the said John the right interest and state of the copyhold tenement in the parish of Woollavington in the name of one Gregory West, now alias Bond, who in the said land is entered to the lord’s use, to this end and intent that he and his heires according to the custom of the Mannor there, and by the Lord’s licence, may regrant the same unto him the said Christofer the sonne to be had and possessed from the hands of the Lord unto the said Christofer and his heires at the charge of my executors. Item I give to Thomas my cousin three pounds and unto the poore of Lanington twenty shillings to be distributed by their friends and discretion. Item I give to my daughters Jane, Thomasin and Nicholas three pounds equally to be devided. Item I am desirous my sonne John to be my sole executor of this my last will and testament that all be fulfilled well and justly. And I make him my executor trusting not only in the honesty and uprightnes of my purpose, whom I make my sole and only executor of this my last will and testament, that my executor shall have two seared selecters for the payment of my legacies next after my decease. Provided also and it is my will that if the said Anne, my wife happen to be married again after my decease, that then she shall give unto my sonne Thomas forty pounds of lawfull English money. But if the residue to be more convenient, that then in my power that my sonne Thomas be more contented and satisfied with the payment of your said lawfull right of money. And it is my will and testament that my sonne Thomas have twenty shillings in and upon the tenement which is now in the hands of Anne, my sayd wife (Item) me the testator. Provided also and it is further provided that before my said shall enjoy the house and living that I now dwell in, that some execution shall leave unto him in stock for stocking all the ploughland and housing sufficiently, and implements to the old stock and condition of the able house for husbandry, wares and uses, and I order and dispose by this my last will and testament fully performed and fulfilled as neer as able may be, and write to them in payment taken in a charitable busyness. Memorandum that I the saidmore than for the ordinary legacies that she shall or may have in her house or that then she shall pay unto my sonne Thomas twenty pounds more of lawfull English money. **Signum Thome Saunders. Witnesses: Thomas Saunders the younger, Christofer Saunders, Robert Saunders.**
Probatum fuit suprascriptum testamentum apud London coram venerabili viro magistro Edmundo Pope legum doctore curie prerogative Cantuariensis commissario legitime constituto decimo tertio die mensis Septembris Anno Domini 1609 Juramento Thomae Saunders filii dicti defuncti et executoris in huiusmodi testamento nominati cui commissa fuit administratio bonorum etc. De bene etc. Jurato [juramento] etc. Examinat etc.
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