Suffolk County MA Archives Wills.....Stoughton, Israel July 17, 1644
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Carol Eddleman http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008492 May 22, 2026, 5:00 pm

Source: Nehgs Register, Vol. 4, 1850, P. 51
Written: July 17, 1644

Israel Stoughton, 17th of July, 1644 [London].  Being now likely to run some pt. 
of the hazard of warre.  For my outward estate == those affairs in ould England 
as they stood the day of the date of these of these pntes, and for those in New 
England, they are manifest by what I left there at last ptng.  Debts in England 
and what goods also I shall leave here undisposed of.  As for those in New 
England, they are by bookes left there, best discovered, and both are ptly 
discovered by my Alphabeticall booke here in England, though I doubt in some 
points, imperfectly, through hast.

To Deer and Worthily honored wife the entire pfitt of all my land vppon 
Dorchester neck [being about 50 acres all in tilth] during life; and furthermore 
a third of the clear pfitts raised or Raisable of all my other lands or mills, 
with the buildings and p'snt stock --during life and single estate; also one 
third of all my moovable goods; free habitation and use [with the children] of 
house in Dorchester towne, with the garden, orchard and Yard roome, being about 
two acres of land.  Lastly, my wearing ring, all my plate, best downe bed, and 
her tapestry, coverlett, with all the best furniture thereto belonging; more and 
only begg of her not to weep for mee, as one of those without hope.  If I now 
dye, what love shee owed unto mee, that it may be bestowed [after mee] uppon our 
poore deare children for my sake.

For my children, I will them to the government and ordering power of my Deere 
wife, during their minority.  Eldest sonne Israel a double portion, unless he 
prove himselfe unworthily; in such case, his double portion to give to William; 
if William prove himself unworthily, then the same to be given to the next 
sonne, John.  Or if yet there be another, and virtue appears not very evident, 
or the eldest his vice not very evident, then let the double portion remaine his 
absolute due.

And for the way of accounting the Double portion, I will it thus.  In case my 
number be seven [as I hope] Israel is to have two parts of the seaven; then the 
remaining five parts to be cast again into seaven parts if I ...

Moreover to sonne Israel one fourth part of my smale Library, and unto John 
another fourth part and unto William the other halfe, for his incouragment to 
apply himself to studies, especially to the holy Scriptures; unto which they are 
mostly helpful; if either of these dye before age, and if now unknowne I have 
another sonne, if one that had a fourth part dye, let the fourth sonne take his 
part; ...

Additional Comments:
Source: The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 4, Boston, 
Mass., Samuel G. Drake, pub., 1850, p. 51-52: Abstracts of the Earliest Wills 
upon Record in the County of Suffolk, Ms.

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