SAMSON SHEARMAN

Will of
SAMSON SHERMAN
of Portsmouth, RI

To all Christian People to whom these presents shall come I Samson Shearman of Portsmouth in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England in America Yeoman being through the mercy and goodness of God in good health bo body and of a sound understanding and memory, thanks be given unto God, therefore calling unto mind and uncertainity of this transistory life, and for the preventing future trouble amongst children, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in the following manner and form.

Principally and first of all I recommend my Soul into the hands of God that gave it and my body to be committed to the earth, decently to be interred at the discretion of my executor hereafter named.

2ndly My mind and will is that all my just and lawful debts be well and truly paid within convenient time after my decease.

3rdly I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Chase __ heirs or assigns my great brass kettle and the sum of ten pounds in or equilvalent to money to be paid unto her by my son Philip Shearman within two years after my decease.

4thly I give and bequeth unto my son Philip Shearman __ my land Scituate lying and being in the Township of Dartmouth in the County of Bristol. Together with all my right ___ I have in land lying and being in the Township of West___ in the Colony aforesd. he paying the aforesaid sum of ___ pounds given unto my daughter Sarah Chase within two years as aforesaid, and for the true performance and payment of the said sum of tne pounds, the said land by me and herein ___ and bequeathed unto my son Philip Shearman shall be re___ and continue unto him his heirs and assigns forever with priviledges and appurtenances thereunto belonging.

5thly I give and bequeath unto my daughter Alice Tibbets ___ heirs and assigns my great iron pot and the sum of ten ____ in or equilvalent to money to be paid unto her by my son Abiel Shearman within two years after my decease.

6thly I give and bequeath unto my son Abiel Shearman all land lying and being in the Township of Kingstown in the colony aforesaid that which he is now in the possession of, he paying the aforesaid sum of tne pounds unto my daughter Alice Tibbetts within two years as aforesaid, and for the true performance and payment of the said sum of ten pounds, the said land by me herein given and bequeathed unto my son Abiel Sherman shall be remain and continue unto him his heirs and assigns for ever with all the Privilledges and appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging. Also I give unto my son Abiel Shearman my gun or musket which he pleases to take and one silver spoon, my great bible, my whipsaw and my Negro boy called Tomme he performing Covenants.

7thly I give and bequeath unto my daughter Isbel Baker her heirs or assigns my great iron kettle and the sum of Ten pounds in or equivalent to money to be paid unto her by my son Job Shearman within two years after my decease.

8thly I give and bequeath unto my son Job Shearman all my housing and all my land Scituate lying and being in the Township of Portsmouth aforesaid whereon I now dwell he paying the aforesaid sum of ten pounds given unto my daughter Isbel Baker within two years as aforesaid, and for the true performance and payment of the said sum of ten pounds, the said housing and land by me herein given and bequeathed unto my son Job Shearman shall be remain and continue unto him his heirs and assigns for ever, together with all the priviledges and appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging. Also I give and bequeath unto my son Job Shearman one gun or musket and one pair of andirons.

9thly I give and bequeath unto my Grandaughter Mary ( the daughter of my son Philip) Shearman one good feather bed and bolster, two pillows, two good pair of blankets, two good pair of sheets, one good coverlet, two good pair of pillow beers, two bolster cases, a good bedstead, and a good cord, a chest of draws, six pewter plates, two pewter basons, two pewter platers and my next best iron kettle, and five good ewe sheep, all which said bequest to be delivered by my Executor when she attains to the age of eighteen years, or the day of her marriage that which first happens.

10thly I give and bequeath unto my three daughters above named equally to be divided among them their heirs or assigns one good riding horse or mare two good cows, twenty good ewe sheep together with all the rest of my household goods whatsoever, which I have not herein disposed off.

11thly and lastly I give and bequeath unto my son Job Shearman whom I constitute make and ordaine my only and sole Execcutor of this my last will and testament all the rest of my estate whatsoever (which I have not herein disposed of) both real and personal by him his heirs and assigns freely to be possessed and enjoyed.

And I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and annihilate all and every other former testaments and wills by me in any ways before this time neamed willed and bequeathed confirming and allowing this and no other tobe my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal this fifth day of November in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and sixteen. 1716

Signed Sealed Published Pronounced
and declared by the said Samson Shearman
the day and year above written as his last will and testament in the presence of

Samuel Shearman (his mark)
John Shearman
__ Sanford

Samson Shearman (the mark of) Seal
Proved July 14, 1718, Portsmouth, R.I.
Vide: Town Council Records V. 2, p. 171 F.D.S. 1978


All those words with a blank (ie. ______ ) = words that were not legiable.

The above Will can be found in:"Some of the Descendants of Philip Sherman, The First Secretary of Rhode Island" by Roy V. Sherman, pp. 385-387.

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