This will of Mr. Cradock sounds somewhat peculiar in our ears; and we presume it is not a fair specimen of that legal precision in words so necessary then in such a document. To give six hundred pounds to each of his partners in a land speculation was a new way of settling an outstanding[92] said bond or bonds to my brother or his heirs then being, in legal and lawful manner, I do hereby declare, that, immediately from and after such marriage respectively, the moiety of the estate hereby intended to the party so marrying, and not giving the bond as aforesaid, shall be, and I do hereby bequeath the same to my said brother Samuel and his heirs, any thing before mentioned to the contrary notwithstanding. Moreover, I do give to my brother, Samuel Cradock, and my sister, his wife, five hundred pounds; and to every one of the children of my said brother I do give one hundred pounds. Moreover, to his son Samuel, now student in Emanuel, in Cambridge, I do give for his maintenance for three years forty pounds per annum; and to his son Mathew, for his better preferment, whereby to place him with an able merchant, two hundred pounds. And I do give twenty pounds yearly to my said brother Samuel towards the maintenance of my brother and sister Sawyer; and to my sister, after the decease of her husband, I do give two hundred pounds. Item: To Dorothy Sawyer, daughter to my said sister Sawyer, I give, for her better preferment, in case she will be advised by my wife in her marriage, two hundred pounds; and to the rest of my sister Sawyer's children I do give to every of them fifty pounds. To my maid-servants five pounds every of them. Item: To my partners that ventured with me and were my servants and party-venturers in the East-land trade, namely, to Thomas Hodlow and Edward Lewis, six hundred pounds apiece, if they accept of it for their part, and declare themselves willing thereunto within three months after the publishing of this my Will, or else to have their several equal one-eighth part of the clear profits of the trade aforesaid, from the time that I promised the same, till the amount for the same shall be perfected, which is to be done by their help and endeavors. Item: I do desire and entreat Mr. William Corbine to assist my wife aforesaid, whom I make sole executor of this my last Will and Testament, to get in my estate, and to see my debts paid and my Will performed. Given as my act, last Will, and Testament, this 9th day of November, 1640. Witness hereto: Edward Lewis, William Alney, Richard Howell. Entered and recorded the 12th of February, 1662, byThomas Danforth, Recorder.
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This will of Mr. Cradock sounds somewhat peculiar in our ears; and we presume it is not a fair specimen of that legal precision in words so necessary then in such a document. To give six hundred pounds to each of his partners in a land speculation was a new way of settling an outstanding
John Wilson and son. 22 School Street. Boston. 1855.
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