Will of Richard Dodge

"The last will and testament of Richard Dodge sener of Beuerle made the fourteene of the nine moneth 1670 I being weake in body but well and sound in mind and memorie doe thus dispose of the Estate the Lord hath giuen mee Impr. I giue vnto my wife Edeth one Mare two milke cowes two ewe sheepe and halfe my houshold goods as it shall be equally diuided by indifferent men between her and my executors also These to be her owne absolutely also I giue her the sole and proper use of the parlour and chamber ouer it in my now dwelling house together with the free use of the garden out houses kitchings ouen well seller and yeards as shee hath occasion also my will that imediately vppon the proveing of this my will my executors shall pay her eight pounds in such prouision as she shall demand for her present use and thenceforthe eight pound a yeare during her life further my will is that my executors shall prouide for the summering and wintering of the aboue sayd Mare cowes and sheepe vppon my farme during the time of her widdowhood together with her firewood at the doore fitted for the fire I I giue vnto my son Richard Dodge all that vpland and meadow he is now poseoar of lyeing at longham bridge to him and his heires for euer he payeing to my wife forty shillings p annum during her life in consideration of her thirds. It I giue vnto my son Samuell that land he now liueth on that was bought of William Goodhew to him and his heires for euer he paying to my wife in consideration of her thirds fortie shillings p annum during her life.

"It I giue vnto my son John Dodge all that vpland and meadow of which he is now possessed being diuided by a line agreed on begininge at a stump in the corne feeld and so running vnto an heape of stones at the vpper end of the same land he paying vnto my wife in consideration of her thirds forti shillings p annum during her life also I giue vnto my son John twentie pound to be payd by my executors And whereas I haue land in England let to my brother Michael Dodge for foure pound p anum I doe hereby acquitt my brother from all dues and demands concerninge the saide rent during my life but after my disease I giue and bequeathe to my wife and my son John the said rent to be annually paid them during the said lifes according to the tenure of the lease I giue vnto my daughter Mary Herrick one ewe hauing giuen her portion all ready also I giue vnto my daughter Mary Herricks fiue daughters fifty shillings a piece to be paid to each of them at there day of marriage or one and twentie yeares of age in case any of them die the portions to biuided equally amongst them that shall surviue that is to say if they die before they come to yeares or married.

"I giue my daughter Sarah fiue pound hauing had her portion allready which fiue pound is to be paid in two yeare after my disease also I giue vnto my daughter Sarahs daughter fiue pound to be paid at her mariage or one and twentie yeares of age in case the child die before that time to returne to be payd to her mother.

"I giue vnto my sons Edward and Joseph all the rest of my estate not aboue disposed of to be equally diuided between them and doe appoint these my two sons ioynt executors of this my last will and testament and doe appoint my Broth. William Dodge senr and Mr Henery Bartholmew senr of Salem ouerseers of of this my last will and for there paynes herein I giue vnto each of them twenty shillings a piece. In witnesse hereof I haue herevnto set my hand and seale the day and yeare abofe written."

Richard (his I mark) Dodge
Proved 28: 4: 1671 by the witnesses.
Witness: Isack Hull, William Dodge, jr.

"These are further to declare That wheras the Executors in the will of their Father Richard dodge deceased have all the landes and Estate by theire late Father left Bequeathed vnto them as Executors after what is given and bequeathed expresley in the sd will yet we the Executores and Subscribers upon good and serious considerationes and for the continuence of love and peace to and in the Family and among so neare relationes have freely and willingly agreed and doe p these presentes agree that our Eldest Brother John dodge shall enjoy to himselfe his heires and Assigness for ever all that land the which lieth about the Sawmill built by our sd Brother being about foure score acres be it more or less also five acres of medow on that syde of Long Hamn brooke on which our sd Brothers house standeth: also four acres of medow at the uper end of the medow called Flagye medow: and one acre of salt marsh part of three acres lyeing on an Iland within mr Cogswells Farme and bought by our late Father in his lifetyme of mr John Cogswell in witnes of all which as above written we have herevnto sett our handes this 29th day of June 1671.

Edward (his + mark) Dodge
Joseph Dodge.
Witness: William Bartholmew, Henry Bartholmew.
Attested 28: 4: 1671 by Mr. Henry Bartholmew.