Knapton, Moses
W2,1:58
will dated 20 April (part missing)
proved 27 July 1698

Bermuda als Somer Islands
In the name of God, Amen, I Moses Knapton Sen'r of Smith's Tribe in the Islands aforesaid planter being in ___ or possessed in body but of sound mind do make and ordaine ___ my last will and testament as ffolloweth.

First and principally I give and bequeath my soul unto the hands of Almighty God my creator ___edly believing that I shall receive full pardon of all my sins and inheritt eternall life by the precious death and merritts of my blessed saviour and redeemer Jesus Christ. And my body I committ to the earth to bee decently buried according to the discretion of my wife and executors hereafter named. And as touching the dispossall of my temporall estate itt hath pleased Almighty God to bee stow upon mee, I disposse thereof as followeth (viz) I will that all my debts and funerall charges be paid.

I give and bequeath unto my loveing wife Mary Knapton for and during her widdowhood and no longer, my mansion house and two shares of land in Smith's Tribe aforesaid. And desire that my family may there remaine without sepperacon. Also I give unto my said wife one ffourth out of my sloope "Mary" now at anchor in these islands.

I give and bequeath unto my son Moses Knapton immediately after the death or marriage of his mother Mary Knapton, my said mansion house and two shares of land (except twelve shares which I shall hereafter otherwise bequeath) tohold to him the said Moses Knapton and to his issue but in deffect of issue in him my said son Moses, then I give and bequeath my said house and land as above mentioned unto my other son (viz.) John Knapton and to his heires fforever. And my will is that the ffurniture of my hall may continue and abide therein for the possessor. Thereof (forever) I also give and bequeath unto my said Moses one fourth part of my sloope "Mary", one mollatto boy called Nedd and one sealed ring marked "EK".

I give and bequeath unto my son John Knapton my northside house and twelve acres of land adjoyning the same, to bee laid out and surveyed ffor the conveniency of the said house, but not soe as too much to incomeode the mansion house before mentioned, to hold the same unto my said son John Knapton and his heires ffrom and after the death of my wife Mary Knapton or her marriage which shall first happen and in default of issue in my son John Knapton, then it is my will that my said northside house and twelve acres of land shall become the house and land of my before mentioned son Moses Knapton, and his heires forever. I further give and bequeath unto my said John Knapton one mollatto boy called Andrew and one sealed ring marked "JK".

I will and order that my personall estate not yett passed off may bee and remaine in the hands of my lovinge wife untill such time as that shee marry or that itt may by virtue of my further bequeaths become due to my children as ffolloweth.

I do give and bequeath all the rest and residue and remainder of my estate unto my loveing daughters (viz.) Elizabeth, Mary, Martha, Sarah, and Hannah Knapton each an equall proporcon to bee paid or distributed to them as they shall happen to marry or upon the marriage or death of my wife Mary Knapton which shall first happen. And my will is that if any of my said daughters shall happen to dye before they receive their proporcon as before mentioned, the parts or sahres of her so dying shall bee equally divided amongst her surviving sisters. And my will and meaning is that so long as my wife hath and holdeth my estate, that shee keep and maintain my said children in reasonable and __ able ffassion.

I nominate and appoint my dear and loveing wife Mary Knapton for and dureing her widdowhood my executrix and no longer, and my son Moses Knapton executor of this my last will and testament. And also I desire my loveing ffriend and neighbour Mr Charles Walker to bee overseer of the same. To whom I give and bequeath the sum of ffive pounds. And I do by these presents revoke all other wills and testaments by mee heretofore made and declare this to bee my only last will and testament contained on this sheete of paper one side whereof I have signed with my hand and ___ this ___ put my hand and seale this twentieth day of Aprill anno Do__.

signed, sealed and delivered published and declared by the within named Moses Knapton Sen'r to bee his last will and testament in the presence of us.
Richard Peniston
Boaz Bell
Edward Colson
Thomas Wright

Bermuda als Somers Islands
By his Excellency John Goddard Esq'r Governor and Ordinary of these Islands.

These may certifye that this seaven and twentieth day of July in the yeare of our Lord 1698 personally appeared before mee the Governor aforesaid, Capt. Richard Pensiton who hath subscribed his name as a witness to the will and testament of Moses Knapton above written. And solemnly made oath that he saw the testator Moses Knapton signe seale publish deliver and declare the writing written on the other side and this side of the paper as his last will and testament and that att the time of doing thereof hee the said testator was of sound mind and memory to the best of this deponent's judgement. ____ my hand the day and yeare above.
J Goddard