Monday, April 27, 2015

Amanuensis Monday - Post 265: Will of Christopher Bartlett (1655-1711) of Haverhill, Mass.

Genea-blogger John Newmark (who writes the excellent  TransylvanianDutch blog) started a Monday blog theme years ago called "Amanuensis Monday."  John offers this definition for "amanuensis:" 

"A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another."

The subject today is the 1708 will of Christopher Bartlett (1655-1711) of Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts Bay Colony:

[image 4 of 13 in packet 1849]


[image 5 of 13 in packet 1849]



The transcription of the will is:

[image 4 of 13]

                         In the name of God Amen
I Christopher Barlit Sr of Haverhill in the County
of Esex in new England being by the goodnes Gods found
in my understanding: yet consdiering my mortallyty: my
weaknes and the many hazards I am in these times of
warr: I do make this my last will and testament as
followeth

first Haveing comited my soul to God my maker and to
Christ my redeemer by the help of the Holy Ghost my comforter

2dly my fraill body I comitt to the Earth where ir was
taken I hope of a beter resurection; to be by Gods
permission decently buried.

3dly my will is that for what Estate God hath given me
in this world be Disposed as followeh
That my Just debts be honestly paid and discharged
by my Executors hereafter mentioned

Item I leave my whole Estate reale and personal in the
hands of my welbeloved Wife Debora Bartlit with
The injunctions hereafter mentioned
my Eldest Son Christopher bartling having alredy
received a Duble portion of my Estate I give him
no more by this will

Also my three Eldest Daughters having received
Six pounds apeas: to wit Debora Mary and Ann
I give them no more at present.

Itt I give to my four youngest Daughters: martha Lydia
Abigal and Mehetable: Six pounds apeas: And my
wife Shal be able to pay out of sd Estate without
Disinabling herself from a comfortable living.

Ittem I give to my youngest Son Samuel Bartlit the one
half of my land when he come to the age of twenty
one years and the other half at my wives decease
al the land in that tract wher I Dwell in Haverhil
and do will him to pay what shall remain unpaid
of Six pounds apeas to my four youngest Daughters
as above mentioned: that is only to the youngest: no other

Ittem What arms iron tools and such like I have at
my deceas I give to my Son Samuel Bartlit
but if my wife Should mary again then I ??
that she have only her thirds of my Effects: unles
she be good security for the paying my daughters
portions and carfull managing my ??? until my
youngest son comes of age.

Itt I give to my Seven daughters above named all
my land at the Chesnut country to be equally
devided for quantity and quallity amongst them
and my will is that if my son Samuel Do not live
to come to the age of twenty and one years that
my wife shall have the sd Liveing in her hands
Durind her natural life if she remains my widow
for the confirmation hereof I have hereunto

[image 5 of 13]

set my hand and seale this 1 day of June one
thousand Seven hundred and Eight.

This writing was read to signed sealed and
owned by Christopher bartlit senr
in the presence of Christopfore bartlit
us Samuel Ayer
James Ayer
Samuel Dalton


Last will and testament
of Christopher Bartlet late
of Haverhill deceased
1713 November 13

The source citation for this will is:

Essex County, Massachusetts, Essex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1638-1881, Probate Packet 1849,  images 4 and 5 of 13, will of Christopher Bartlett, written 1708, proved 1713; digital images, New England Historic Genealogical Society, American Ancestors   (http://www.americanancestors.org: accessed 2 September 2014); original estate papers in Essex County Probate Court.

Christopher Bartlett and his wife Deborah (Weed) Bartlett (1659-1726) had at least 14 children, but five died before reaching adulthood and before Christopher wrote his will in 1708.  Sons Christopher and Samuel are mentioned in the will, as are older daughters Deborah, Mary, Ann, and younger daughters Martha, Lydia, Abigail and Mehitable.  Unfortunately, no married names for any of the daughters are provided.

I am descended through the daughter Anne Bartlett (1684-1721) who married Joseph Colby (1680-1754) in 1704, and had eight children in Amesbury, Massachusetts.  Their son, Joseph Colby (1707-1768) married Abigail Worthen (1714-????) in 1736 and resided in Amesbury and Chester, New Hampshire.


Copyright (c) 2015, Randall J. Seaver

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