Probate Records Relating to Grates Cove Residents

Will of Abraham Martin 1849

In the name of God, Amen. I, Abraham Martin, of Grates Cove, Planter, being sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory of body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die do make this my last Will and Testament, that is to say, principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hand of almighty God that gave it and my body I commend to the Earth to be buried in christian burial nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And as touching my worldly estate and whatever I now possess I give and dispose of the same in the following manner and form: First, I give unto my four Sons - Solomon, Hazarias, Mathias and Reuben - all my fishing establishment to be equally divided between them when my two younger Sons each shall arive [sic] at the age of twenty years provided they all and each keep together. But in case either of my four Sons abandoning the premises or in any manner deserting from his Brethern before the younger Son arrives at the age of twenty years, he or they that so deserts his or their Brethern shall have no part or lot in any of my posesions. Second, I give to my Son Solomon the Fishing Boat that he now uses as his own on the conditions that he allow one or both or his younger Brothers to fish with him in the said Boat as long as the same may last. I give unto Hazarias that Fishing Boat that he now uses on the same condition with that of Solomon. I give to my four Sons above one half of Codsain with all it utentials , the said Cod Sain and utentials being between my self and Thomas Avery. I give to my four Sons above mentioned my half of a crewsing boat which boat is help at present between myself and David Benson. And it is my desire and will that my Son William Martin shall have the use of said Boat with his other Brothers for the performance on doing his business as long as the Boat may last by paying to his Brother the sum of Twenty Shillings yearly. I give to my four Sons all my [bark?] premises to be equally divided by them, both what is cultivated as also that part which is at present uncultivated. I give unto my two Sons Hezarias and Mathias each a plot of land each to build one Dwelling House in that Garden given to me by my late father Henery Martin. The remaining part of said Garden to be equally divided between my three Sons Solomon, Hazarias and Mathias. I give unto my son Mathias my Watch. I give unto my son Hazarias my Clock and second hand coat. I give unto my two younger sons Mathias and Reuben my other Clothing to be divided between them. I give to my Son Solomon my new Coat and Hat with the righthand Cupboard in my Drawing Room. I give unto my son Hazarias for his use while he may stay in the House the lefthand Cupboard in my Drawing Room but after his departure from the House it shall fall into the posession [sic] of my son Solomon to whom I give the House. I give to my son Reuben my Feather Bed and Bedding and I do ratify and confirm this to be my last Will and Testament , and I do hereby appoint John Snelgrove and George Lewis as Executors to this my last Will and Testament. In Witness where of I have hereunto put my Signature at Grates Cove this 26th day of June and in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine...

Abraham [X] Martin

Witness present,

Thomas Cooper

James [X] Martin

I hereby certify that the execution of the Will of which the foregoing is a true and correct Copy by Abraham Martin, Testator party thereto, appears by the Affidavit endorsed thereon to have been proved before Robert John Pinsent, a Commissioner of Affidavits, by Thomas Cooper the only subscribing Witness thereto on the Twenty first day of September one thousand eight hundred and fifty five - the same Will was deposited in my Office on the Twenty second day of October one thousand eight hundred and fifty five and is hereby in due course actually Registered by me this day. Given under my hand this Thirty first day of October one thousand eight hundred and fifty five A.D. 1855.

John Stark, Registrar