Last Will & Testament of Charles Patterson

Transcribed by Michele Valenzano

In the name of God, amen. Know all men by these presents, that I, Charles Patterson of Mount Washington in the County of Berkshire and Common Wealth of Massachusetts gentlemen. Being in sound mind and disposing memory, thanks be to God, therefore calling to mind my own mortality and knowing it is apponted unto men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say principally and first of all, I recommend my soul to God, who gave it to me trusting to the mints of his son for his gracious acceptance and my body I give to the earth to be buried in a decent and christian manner, nothing doubting that I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God at the general ressurection and in hopes of eternal life. With wat worldly goods it pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give and dispose thereof in the following manner.

I will and bequeath unto Martha, my loving wife, if she outlives me, one hundred and ninety nine dollars of my personal estate in such articles as she may choose, to be valued at the appraisal. Item two, I hereby ordain and direct that the residue of all my estate after my debts are paid, be divided between Levi, Joseph, Patta, Hannah, Abigail, Emma & Luther Marks heirs as here after stated. Item three, I will and bequeath unto Levi, my first son, one eigth of said residue reserving one hundred and thirty three dollars, which I hold note against the said Levi to that amount. Item four, I will and bequeath unto Joseph my third son, one eigth of said residue and one hundred and eighty eight dollars, in addition. Item five, I will and bequeath unto Patta, wife of Truman Hopkins, my first daughter, one eight of said residue, reserving one hundred and thirty seven dollars which I hold notes for against said Truman to that amount owed by a mortgage. Item six, I will and bequeath unto Hannah, wife of Linus Pratt, to his and her children, one eigth of said residue reserving one hundred and ninety nine dollars, which I hold note and book account to that amount against said Linus. Item seven, I will and bequeath unto Abigail (widow, my third daughter), to her and her children, one eight of said residue. Item eight, I will and bequeath unto Emma, wife of Ira Schutt, one eigth of said residue. Item nine I will and bequeath to Sally, widow of Luther, my fourth son and to his said Luther children, one eigth of said residue. Item ten, I will and bequeath unto Mark O and Luther H Patterson, heirs of Mark, my fifth son deceased, one eigth of said residue. It is however my intention, that if the said Mark O and Luther H should die having no heirs, then the 10th item to be divided equally between my sons, Levi and Joseph. Item eleven, I will that the names in the items third, fifth and sixth, after deducting the addition made to item fourth, which have a balance of three hundred and thirth one dollars, be equally divided between Levi, Joseph, Patta, Hannah, Abigail, Emma and Luther Marks heirs. Item twelve, I hereby nominate and constitute, Levi, my first son and Joseph, my third son sole executors of this, my last will and testament, hereby revoking other and former wills heretofore made. In witness whereof I have him unto set my hand and seal, this fourteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and twenty eight.

Signed, sealed and published

Charles Patterson

Declared by the said testator Charles Patterson Esq. as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our names as witness thereof in the presence of said testator

Isaac Lamson

Cyrus Lamson

Abram Bignal