Jabez Briggs, 1746-1828   EASTON, NY

 

Surnames:

The Last Will and testament of Jabez Briggs, (deceased) Be it remembered that I Jabez Briggs of Easton in the County of Washington and State of New York, yeoman. Considering the uncertainty of this life and being far advanced in years but of sound mind and memory, do make and publish this [illegible word] for my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say in the first place—I do order all just debts and financial charges to be paid and satisfied out of my estate by my Executors, herein after named and appointed.

I give and bequeath to my son Stephen Briggs the obligation that I hold against Benjamin Marshall—also my desk and one bed and bedding for winter and summer to be delivered immediately after my decease--. I give and bequeath to my son Gilbert Briggs five dollars to be delivered in one year after my decease. I give and bequeath to my son John Briggs five dollars to be delivered in one year after my decease. I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Briggs one hundred dollars to be delivered in six months after my decease. I give and bequeath to Malvina Foster [Porter ?] three hundred dollars to be piad in three years after my decease with Interest . I also give to Malvina Foster two good cows and two good beds and bedding for the same winter and summer to be delivered in one month after my decease. I give and bequeath to my son Stephen Briggs and to my two daughters Mary Briggs and Rhoda Briggs all my live stock [this phrase apparently lined out] my farm in which I now live containing one hundred and five acres or there abouts. I also give the above named Stephen Briggs and Mary Briggs and Rhoda Briggs all my live stock of every description likewise all my farming Utinsils to be for their use and for the use of the farm and after the decease of my wife to be equally divided between them to share and share alike they doing and performing what I shall herein after order them to perform and do.

My will is and I do order my son Stephen Briggs and my two daughters Mary and Rhoda Briggs to take care and maintain my wife in health and sickness and to furnish her with all things necessary for her comfortable support and maintenance during her natural life.

My farm that I have given to my three children above named after the decease of my wife is to be equally divided between them when they shall think proper.

I give and bequeath to my two daughters Mary and Rhoda Briggs all my household furniture and kitchen stuff to be equally divided between them share and share alike to be delivered immediately after the decease of my wife and my further will is that my two daughters Mary and Rhoda shall have the use of a horse and carriage to convey them to meeting [probably the Quaker Church] and visiting whenever they shall need the same.

All the remainder and residue of my property of whatsoever name or nature I order my Executors to divide equally between Stephen Briggs, Gilbert Briggs, John Briggs, Mary Briggs, Rhoda Briggs and Malvina Foster to be equally alike.

And lastly to this my last Will and Testament I do nominate, constitute and appoint John Dennis and Joseph Taber Executors, desiring them to see the same duly and truly fulfilled according to the intent and meaning thereof [,] hereby revoking all former Wills by me made.

In witness whereof I have herewith set my hand and fixed my Seal in Easton in the County of Washington and State of New York this Twenty Sixth of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight—

Signed, Sealed and declared by me to be my last Will and Testament--- --- ---- ----
In the presence of us who in
presence of the testator and in
the presence of each other[,] we Jabez Briggs
have hereunto Set our names
the day and date above written
as witnesses ex [sic]

Richard Hall
Timothy B. Cornell
Ryal [hard to read] G. Barnum