Will of
SAMUEL SHERMAN
of Portsmouth, RI

To all Christian people whom these presents may concern I Samuel Shearman of Portsmouth in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England Yeoman being very sick and weak in body, but through the mercy and goodness of God of perfect mind memory and understanding praised be his holy name. Therefore calling unto mind the uncertainity of this transitory life, do make and ordain this my last will & testament in the manner and form as followeth.

First & Principally I recommend my Soul into the hands of God from whence I had my first being, and my body to the earth decently to be interred at the discretion of my Executors herein after named. And for the temporal estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give, devise and dispose of the same as herein after is expressed.

Impr's My mind and will is that all my just and lawful debts be justly and truly paid where and to whom any is owing at my decease by my Executors and all my debts due unto me be received by my said Executors.

Ite I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Martha Shearman in lieu of her Thirds, one good riding horse, one good cow and tenn good ewe sheep to be well kept on my farm in Portsmouth aforesaid, both with winter meat and summer meat, also I give unto my wife priviledge to keep what fowls as she shall have occasion for, all which sd. stock and fowls to be provided for with meat by my Executors during the natural life of my wife. Also I give unto my wife one good feather bed and furniture thereunto belonging, two chests one box and one third part of all the rest and residue of my household goods and the choice of any one room in my now dwelling house with as much priveledge in my cellar as she may have occasion for with free egress, and regress and the choice of the fruit of four good apple trees and one good pear tree yearly and every year during her natural lifeand also my garden, and to be well provided for by my Executors with sufficient meat drink and firewood fitting and suitable for her necessity may require during the term of her natural life.

Ite. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Chase five pounds, unto my daughter Mary Baker five pounds and to my daughter Mehitabel Baker five pounds in or equilvalent to money to be paid unto each of them their heirs or assigns within one year after my decease by my son Samuel Sherman.

Ite. I give unto my son Samuel Shearman my eighteen acre lott of land which is Scituate lying and being in the Township of Swanzey he paying the aforesaid legacies unto my afoesaid daughters (viz.) Sarah Chase, Mary Baker and Mehitabel Baker within the term above limited, and for the true performance and payment of the said legacies, the sd Eighteen accre lott of land shall be remain and continue unto my said son Samuel Shearman his heirs and assigns forever.

Ite. I give and bequeath unto my two daughters viz. Martha Shearman and Rebekah Shearman the other two thirds parts of my household goods to be equally divided between them. Also I give unto my daughter Martha Shearman twenty pounds and to my daughter Rebekah Shearman twenty pounds to be paid to each of them their heirs or assigns within one year after my decease by my Executors in or equivalent to money.

Ite. I give and bequeath unto my two sons John Shearman and Ebenezer Shearman equally to be divided between them all, all my housing and all my lands in the Township of Portsmouth Aforesaid together with all my right in a certain tract of land Scituate lying and being in the Township of Dartmouth containing one halfe quarter of a share they paying the aforesd legacies unto my two daughters viz. Martha and Rebekah within one year as aboesaid, and to fulfil and perform every clause and article as is above express't concerning their Mother according to the true intent and meaning of these presents, and for the true payment of the * legacies at the time above limited, and for the true performance and fulfilling the article as above specified concerning their mother that then the sd housing and land herein given and bequeathed unto them the sd. John Shearman and Ebenezer Shearman shall remain and continue (equally to be divided) between them their heirs and assigns for ever, with all the priveledges and appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging.

Ite. My mind and will is that said if either of my two sons John or Ebenezer shal decease without lawful issue begotten of their bodies that then the survivor of them shall enjoy the portion of the deceased and to be to him and estate of inheritance in fee simple.

Ite. I give and bequeath unto my two sons John Shearman and Ebenezer Shearman all the rest of my living stock as cattel horses sheep and swine, together with all my husbandry gearas carts, plows, chains, yokes, hoes azes & etc. to be equally divided between them.

Lastly I do here by nominate appoint constitute make and ordain my well beloved sons John Shearman and Ebenezer Shearman my whole and sole Executors of this my last will and testament to see the same trully fulfilled and kept according to the true intent and meaning thereof.

And I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and annihilate all and every other testaments and wills by me in any wise before this time named willed and bequeathed, confirming and allowing this and no other to be my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I the said Samuel Shearman have hereunto sett my hand and fixed my seal this thirtieth day of 7th mo September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventeen 1717.

signe sealed published
pronounced and declared by
the sd Samuel Shearman
his last will & testament
in presence of

Job Shearman
Elnathan Shearman
Wm. Sanford

Proved 14 th of 8th mo 1717, Portsmouth, R.I.
Vide: "Town Council Records" Vol. 2: p. 190.