Source: www.ancestry.com
English Origins of American Colonists
Deare wife and wellbeloved, with all our deare and sweet chil dren, I (RICHARD HUNT) waiting daylie for my change and dissolucon am willing to leave with you this my last will and testament, (having) written it with my owne hande in the time of my health, least the omitting of it should trouble me at the howre of death when thoughts of other things wilbe more needfulAnd touching my bodie, I commit it to the earth whence it came, but if otherwise the Lord hath disposed of me, his holy will bee fullfilled. According to the custom of this honourable Cittie I devyde my estate into three parts, whereof I bequeath one part to my wife Jane, which I hope will amount to ?1800 besides her jewells and rings; also I bequeath unto her my great silver bason and ewer with two faire flaggon potts and the lease of my house in Hackney parish. One other third part I bequeath amongst my children, vizt., to my eldest sonne Josia Hunt ?800 at 21, to my eldest daughter Sarah Hunt ?500 at 21 or marriage, to my daughter Katherine ?500 in like manner, to my young son Nathaniel ?500 at 21, to my son Richard ?500 at 21, and if my wife be with child, to such child ?400. To my brother John Hunt ?60, and to my brother William Hunt ?20 for the use of their children. To my sister Ellen's children, vizt., William Thompson ?10, George Thompson ?20, Richard Thompson ?10, Thomas Thompson, if he returnes from the warres, and setts up trade, ?10, and to the other two in the country ?5 apeece. To my sisters Jane, Elizabeth and Anne, for their children ?40 apiece. To my brother John Watkin 40s, and to my sister 20s. Tobias and Arthur Watkin ?5 each. Brother Richard Kent ?5. My master Capt. Edward Ditchfield, one of the best friendes that [p.14] ever I had in the world, ?10. Mr William Greenhill my deare friend ?5. Mr Feake, lecturer of Wolchurch, ?3. Ten other ministers, Mr Trebitt and Mr Rawlinson being two, ?30. Mrs Mary Gray and Mrs Catherine Midleton 30s. each. Mr Hugan Hovill, Mr Hooper and Mr Wilson 20s. each. Mr Isaac Knight and Mr John Carter ?3 each. Mrs Alice Allen 20s., Thomas Stivers the elder 40s., Joseph Mordocke 20s., William Sawyer ?3, and Edward Hiller if he serve his time out 40s. Mrs Katherine Exelby ?5, Richard Pierson 20s., and Mrs Jane Laney 20s. The Artillerie Company ?20. Poor of Mary Wolchurch 20 nobles. Sibill Jones ?5. I give the land I adventured for in Ireland, if it be gained, to my eldest son Josias. To my deare wife ?1000. To my brother John's children ?300 if they be Protestants. To my brother William's child ?200 upon the like terms. To Ralph Hunt my brother William's son ?50, Item to New England towards a library twentie poundes. Residuary legatee and executrix, my deare wife. Overseers, Capt. Edward Ditchfield, Mr Hugan Howell and Mr Thomas Wood. Dated 22 Aug., 1643. Witnesses: William Medley, John Peace. Proved 30 Jan., 1643-4, by the executrix. (Commissary of London, vol. xxix, fo. 213.)