Reider-Underwood Genealogy

Transcript of the last will and testament of James Penniman of Braintree

The last will and testament of me James Pennyman of Braintree the 18th of the 10th month [Dec.] 1664. Having my understanding & memory according to the measure god hath given mee I commit my soul into the Hands of the Lord who gave it to mee & thr ough Christ hath Redeemed mee & will eternally save mee. First all my Debts being Discharged first and the Charge of my Funerall which being Done my mooveable Estate I thus Dispose of Halfe my uplands halfe my Meadowed halfe my Orchard halfe my Ba rnes & outhousing and all my Dwelling house I doe give unto my Beloved wife For her support & my Lesser children with her. The other halfe I give unto my sonne Joseph & if he thinke good to Improove it all for his Mothers Comfort upon such terme s as his Mother & hee may agree. I thinke it will be best if he marry & build neer my wife shee shall Lett him have which ever part of the Orchard she pleaseth.

My mooveable Estate I Doe also give wholy to my Beloved Wife for her support & the Education of my Lesser Children. And Because god hath blessed mee with many Children: I Doe Commit it to my wifes Discretion to Doe good unto them all in as nee r a proportion as shee Canne & to bee most helpfull to them that have most need. and when she finisheth her life w[ha]t remaineth in her hands, either of my Lands or goods she shall be the Best advice she can proportion out unto my Children so a s to make them as equall shares as shee Canne.

My first borne James having been educated into such a way of livinge as hee is having already had a portion. I turst in the Lord it will bee such a Blessing as will answer his Double portion.

To my youngest sonne Samuell & my 3 youngest Daughters I give 20 a peice if it bee to bee had at my wifes Decease, or afore if need bee & suchy as are married to be made up to such a sum if it be to be had.

James Pennyman
Witnesse Richard Brackett & seale
Robert Parmanter
Joseph Addames
Benjamin Thompson

31 January 1664[/5]

Richard Bracket & Joseph Addams Deposed in Courth that having subscribed their names to this paper was present on the Date therof & Did Both see & hear James Penniman to sighne seale and publishe the same to bee his Last will and testament & tha t when hee did so was of a sound memorye & Disposing minde to their Best Knowledge and further Add that they heard James Penniman before he Dyed while he was in good memory Declare it as his Last will that hee added to his will that he gave his so nne James the wood of Fifteen acre in Great Field.

Edward Rawson Recorder

31 January 1664[/5]

Power of Administration is granted to the Estate of the Late James Pennyman to Lydia his wife to performe the imperfect will above written as neer as she Canne.