Bermuda alias

Somer Islands

In the Name of God Amen. I Thomas Joel of Pembroke Tribe Sen’r being at this instant in a very low weake and declining condition as to Bodily healthe, but by the Divine Goodness of and sound [?] Mind and Memory, and calling to minde the unsortainty of human Life Do therefore make Publish and declare this to be my last will and Testament in manner & forms following -- First and Principally Recomending & Resigning my soul to its creator in all humble hope of its future happiness as in the disposal of a Being Infinitely Good and Mercifull, and as to my Temporal Estate I dispose of in the manner herein after Exprest.

Imprimis I give and devise to my Son William Joel my House and half shares of Land w board Benjamin Turo lives.

Item I give and devise in an equal manner to my three sons Thomas, Stafford and Richard Joel my Manshion House and all the share of Land and Buildings. therewith [?]ing my wife having her Life in my said Manshion House or in such a part of it and of the Land as she and my Executors my think proper, and that any three said sons Thomas Stafford and Richard may either of them dispose of their parts of my said House two Store Houses Buildings and Land to each other and to no other persons whatsoever.

Item I give to my two Daughters (Rebekah and Sarah and to the heirs of their bodyes in an Equal manner to be divided by and at the discresshon of my Executors and Executrix my Northside half share of Land and House which came to me by the death of my Nevey William Joel, and I hereby Order and direct that my three sons, Thomas Richard and Stafford (in Regard of what I have herein before given to them) build at their Equal charge each of their sisters aforesaid a Roome of [?]teen feete squair in the Inside with a chimney and two closets to boathe, and to be compleated in a year after they shall have posession of my Manshion House Land and Store Houses herein before given them, or as soon as possible may be done, and that they may cut what timber off the Land towards the building the two rooms aforesaid as my Executors shall direct.

Item my Will is also further that all my Land and timber with respect to the fruit trees be divided by my Executors, and at their discretion as they shall think most justly reasonable.

Item that if either of my sons should dye without issue that the suvivors shall be Equally Intitled to his proportion of the Land that was hisen that shall so dye as aforesaid.

Item and I further hereby Order and direct that my Son Stafford pay to each of his sisters fifteen pounds each current money within two years after he has possession of his proportion of the House and Land which I have herein given to him as aforesaid.

Item my Will is that my part of the Brigg Paragon be sould with all convenient speede after my decease and the money ariseing thereby to be in my Estate for the advantage and benefit of my Wife and all our children.

Item and that my personal Estate be with all convenient speede after my decease duly Inventoryed and appraised, and the two thirds thereof be Equally divided amongst all my children Excepting my Negro Man Sam which I hereby give as a perticular gift to my Loving Wife over and above her third or Dower of my said Estate and for her better support in the maintenance and bringing up of my youngest children.

Item I hereby nominate authorize and appoint my Loving brother Capt Solomon Joel as also my very good friend and brother in Law Major Cornelius Hinson Executors, & my well beloved Wife Sarah Joel as Executrix to this my last Will and Testament desiring them to see the same duly and truly performed Thereby Publishing & Declaring this (and no other) to be my Last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this fifth day of October 1749.

Thos. Joell [his seal]

[signed]

(available through the generous contribution of Mitchell)