SMITH, BENJAMIN
W G:22
20 October 1718

In the name of God, Amen, I Benjamin Smith of Sndy's Tribe in Somers Islands als Bermuda cordwainer, being through mercy of God in perfect understanding according to the reason that God hath bestowed upon me but under a sore distemper of sickness of body praised be his holy name for it, doe make this my last will and testament in manner and form following...

And first of all I do give and bequeth my soul into the hands of God that gave it me and all things, also for the comfort of my soul and body in all the days of my life. Believing that in and through the Lord Jesus Christ who dyed for sinners that in him all my sins are forgiven me hoping for a glorious resurrection at his second coming to judge the world and after the departure of my soul from my body, it is my will that my body be decently buryed according to the discretion of my well beloved wife and my executors here under named and for my world goods I dispose as followeth...

Imprimis. It is my will that all my just debts and funerall charges be justly and duly satisfyed.

Item. It is my will immediately after my decease that my well beloved wife Frances Smith shall have full possession of all my goods and chattels of whatsoever kind or quality it be during her said life.

Item. I give unto my well beloved wife Frances Smith one bead, beadstead boulster, and coverlead at her disposall now possessed by John Beak.

Item. I give nto Joseph Darrell one large bible with black cover. It is my will after the decease of my well beloved wife Frances Smith that my son Joseph Smith shall have full possession of my said estate to him and his heirs lawfully begotten of his body and in case that the said Joseph Smith dying without issue, it is my will that my three sisters and four cousins under named shall possess the said estate for it to be equally divided my sister Jemimah Smith, Martha Hodges, Elizabeth Beake, cousin Sarah Basden, Samuel Darrell, John Darrell, and Joseph Darrell.

Further it is my will that my father Marmaduke Dander (Dando) shall have his maintenance as long as he lives, out of my estate.

I do leave my well beloved wife Frances Smith to be my whole and sole executrix of this my last will and testament.

Item. I make and ordain my brother John Beak and cousin Joseph Darrell to be my overseers of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I the said B. S. have subscribed this my last will and testament with my own hand thereunto put my seal in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighteen, the twenty day of October.

Sealed, declared in the presence of these witnesses whose names are subscribed.
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