Introduction

From York County Probate Records, Volume Ten (1749-60)

The Will of John Bryant

   In the Name of God Amen. This twelfth Day of October 1759, I Iohn Bryant of Scarbor^o in the County of York in New England Yeoman being very Sensible that I can't continue long in this Life by Reason of the Hurt I have receiv'd in my Body this Day, but of perfect Mind & Memory, Thanks be given unto God, therefore calling unto Mind the Mortality of my Body, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make & ordain this my last Will & Testament. First of all, I give myself to God the Father Son & holy Spirit; hoping thrô the Merits Mediation & Satisfaction of my glorious Lord Iesus Christ on whom alone I depend for Salvation, at my Decease to receive y^e Salvatⁿ of my Soul. And as for my Worldly Estate I give as follows.

   Item. I give to my Daughter Eleoner Watson Five pounds lawful money.

   Item. I give to my Daughter Temperance Hartford Five pounds lawful Money.

   Item. I give unto my Grandson Samuel Davis Bryant five Shillings lawful Money.

   Item. I give to my Grand Daughter Charity Holmes five Shill^gs lawful Money.

   Item. I give to my Grand Daughter Martha Bryant five Shillings lawful Money.

   Item. I give to my Grandson Bartholomy Bryant five Shillings lawful Money.

   Item. I give to my Grand Daughter Rebecca Brayant five Shillings lawful Money.

   Item. I give to my Grandson Iohn Bryant five Shillings lawful Money.

   Item. I give to my Grandson Iames Fly five Shillings l. Money. I give to my Grand Daughter Dorcas Fly five Shillings l. Money.

   Item I give to my Grand Daughter Marey Fly five Shill^g l. Money

   Item I give to my Grand Daughter Eliz^h Fly five Shill^gs l. Money. I give to my Well beloved Wife Mary Bryant the Improvement of all my Estate real & personal during her Life whom I appoint Executrix to this my last Will & Testament.

   Item. I give to my Grandson Eleazer Bryant the all my real Estate which I have in the Town of Scarboro' afores^d after the Decease of my said Wife. And the rest of my Estate which I have not disposed in this my Will, I give to be equally divided among my Children. It is to be under-Stood by me that my Said Wife is to have y^e Improvem^t of all my Estate during her Life. In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand & Seal they Day & Year above written.

Signed Sealed published pronounced    & declared by ye Sd Iohn Bryant    as his last Will & Testament, in    presence of us, the Subscribers,    Nathl Milliken Iosiah Graffam,    Sylvanus Scott.		Iohn Bryant (Seal)    his mark
Probated 7 July 1760. Inventory returned 29 Sept. 1760, at £334: 0: 8, by Martyn Jose and John Fabyan, appraisers. [Source: Maine Wills, 1640-1760 (Portland, Me., 1887), p. 888, citing Probate Office, 10, 178.]