Maine Wills

 From York County Probate Records, Volume Nine (1743-58)

   In the Name of God Amen. The third Day of September Annoque Domini 1755. I Cornelius Soul of North Yarmouth in the County of York & Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England Gentⁿ being Sick & weak of Body but of perfect Mind & Memory, Thanks be unto God therefor, calling to 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 Viz. principally and first of all I recommend my Soul into the Hands of God who gave it, and my Body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in a decent Manner, Nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I Shall receive the Same again by the mighty Power of God. And as touching Such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this Life, I give demise & dispose of the Same in the following Manner.

   Impr^s I give & bequeath to Susannah my beloved Wife the Improvement of all my Estate both real & personal during her natural Life. And at her Decease, I give & bequeath y^e Same to her Son Thomas Scales (whom I also make & constitute & appoint my Sole Executor of this my last Will & Testam^t) And to Cornelius Sole Son of my Brother Barnabas Soul to be equally divided between them. And I do declare this & no other to be my last Will & Testament.

   In Witness whereof I hereunto Set my Hand & Seal the Day & Year above written.

Cornelius Soul (seal)

   Signed Sealed published pronounced & declared by Cornelius Soul as his last Will & Testament in the presence of us Witnesses, Jonas Mason Iames Tuttle Gilbert Winslow jun^r