[S791] Edmund Bridges will (1685), Probate record of Edmund Bridges, 1685, Ipswich, Essex Co., Mass., Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives, Boston, Massachusetts, online AmericanAncestors.org: Case no. 3298, 9 images. Essex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1638-1840. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2013. (From records supplied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives.). Transcript by Vincent Hartnett:
The Last Will and Testament of Edmond Bridges Senr Black Smith
of Ipswich in the County of Essex in New England is as folloeth,
I Edmond Bridges being of perfect memorie and good understanding, yet by
Reason of my weakeness of bodie and manie infermities often prevailing
upon me, doo desire to com~end my soule in to the hands of my Blessed
Redeemer Jesus Christ, in hope a happy Resurection,
My will therefore is that my bodie be most decently burried after my
discease, and all my debts be discharged, my estate be disposed of as
followeth First I have alreadie given to my all my Children but Mary fair
portions as was [crossed out] sutaable and convenient into my estate to _____
of, but as an adition I give unto John Bridges my Rapier unto Josiah
Bridges I give my Musquit unto Fayth Bridges I give a pewter platter
marked with E B A, unto Bothiah Bridges the fellow or other pewtter
plates with the same markes, which things my will is, that they be
delivered unto the parties before mentioned Att my house upon there
demand, imediately after my discease.
Unto my Daughter Mary I give twentie pounds, that is to say a Cow shee
calls her owne, a fether bed and what beding can conveniently be spared
with it, And the rest to be made up in such household stuffe as my
wife shall soo cause to supply her with.
And my will further is that my beloved wife Mary Bridges shall have
the res of the whole of my estate undispossed of During the time of
her life if she remains a widdow, But if shee should marry after
my discease she shall then have ten pounds payed unto her.
I Doe allso will, that if my afforesaid wife Mary Bridges should
marry, or otherwayes at the time of her Discease, that all the
Remainder of my Estate then left shall be Equallie divided between
John Bridges my sonne, my sonne Josiah Bridges, my Daughter Fayth
Bridges Alias Black Bethiah Bridges Alias Peabodie and Mary Bridges
And I doe hereby Constitute and ordaine my Beloved wife Mary Bridges
and my sonne John Bridges to be my Executors, in order unto the
performance of this my last will and testament And I doe desire
Captn Daniel Epps with Leiftenant John Appleton to be the overseers for
the fulfilling of this my will, whereunto I have sett my hand and
seale this 6th of January 1684.
Signed sealed and delivered [signature and seal of Edmund Bridges]
in the presence of us
Daniel Epps
Edmund ____ The _____________
between ye 8th & 9th line
from ye top viz, but Mary,
was entered before ye
perfecting hereof
Will proved at Court of Ipswich March 30: 85, Proved
by the Executor to be the last Will & Testament of Edmon Bridges
by the oath of Mary Bridges, Relect, & John Bridges sone to
Ed. Bridges to the Best of the there knowledge that he was of a disposing mind
at the same time. Attor. John Appleton ____.