[S979] Lucy Hall Greenlaw, "Abstracts From the First Book of Bristol County Probate Records", New England Historical and Genealogical Register 62–64 (July 1908–1910): 62:232–33 [70] Will of Peter Pitts of Taunton he 'being Sick of body", dated June 9, 1692. To my son Samuel Pitts that parcel of land by the Mill River that he hath already in possession, being part of that late joining Samuell Waldron his now dwelling house, and twenty acres on the other side of Browns Brook so called, only the privilege of fire wood shall belong to those that inherit my now dwelling house, also I give him all that meadow between that which I have already fenced toward Muddy Cove, and half a purchase right, he paying five pounds to his sister Alce [sic] his mother having the use thereof during her life. To my son Peter the other part of that land, barn and orchard joined to Samuell Waldron, the other part of the land on the other side of the highway joining to John Hodges, six acres of land at the head of the aforesaid lot and all my land at Weniconett, and half a purchase right, his mother having the use thereof during her life. To my son Ebenezer my now dwelling house and the home lot belonging to it, being six acres, and the meadow at the South purchase at Secreegancet belonging to the house aforesaid and a half purchase right, he paying five pounds to his sister Alce, his mother having the use thereof during her life. To my daughter Mary, she having received something already, ten pounds more. To my daughter Sarah that land called the paddock and forty acres more belonging thereto as yet not laid out, and a quarter purchase right and a half share of two silver cups, her mother having the use thereof during her life. To my daugter Alice my half share in the old Iron works, a North purchase right, a half share in two silver cups and ten pounds to be paid by her brothers Samuell and Ebenezer. Rest of the estate to my wife Mary Pitts, whom I make sole executrix, revoking all other wills by me heretofore made. I desire that John Hodges and Henry Hodges be overseers.
[Typically, twenty-one years would be the required age to receive an inheritance, and so the practice was to make a bequeath that would occur when the minor "comes of age." Although there may be exceptions, the language of this will giving substantial assets, including a half-share in the iron works, would make it certain that all of Peter's children were "of age" at the time he wrote his will. VWH]