The Will of Robert Dennis ~ May 11,1691

The last will and testament of Robert Dennis of the Town of Portsmouth on Rhode Island in the county or colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England is as followeth: To all people whom these presents may concern:

Know yee that the said Robert Dennis is through the mercy of God being perfect of mind and of a sound memory but very ill in body for the preventing future trouble amongst my wife and children do make this my last will and testament as followeth:

Imprimiss My will is that all just debts which I owe to any person or persons may be truly paid and that all debts justly due to me from any person or persons may be received by my executrix hereafter named.

Item I do give and bequeath to my eldest son Robert Dennis his heirs and assigns forever one hundred and fifty acres of land which I purchased of my brother in law Jediah Allen lying and being in the county of Monmouth in the province of east New Jersey with all the privileges thereunto belonging to come into his possession when he shall be of the age of one and twenty years.

Imprimiss I do give and bequeath unto my son Joseph Dennis his heirs and assigns forever all my housings and lands whereon I now dwell lying in said Portsmouth with all and singular the fencings orchards commons and all other privileges and appurtances thereunto belonging to come into his possession when he shall be of the age of one and twenty years and my will is and I do hereby order my said son Joseph Dennis or whomsoever shall possess the said house and land shall pay unto my daughter May Dennis ten pounds in or as money within three years after his possessing the same and also to pay unto my daughter Sarah Dennis eight pounds in or as money within six years after his possession of said house and land.

Item I do give and bequeath unto my said son John Dennis one good cow, ten good ewe sheep and a feather bed of boulster and pillowes a pair of sheets two blankets and a coverlet to be delivered unto him when he shall be of the age of one and twenty years.

Item I do give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Dennis my Long Loom and three Reads and three gears; and a read number thirty:

Item I do give and bequeath unto my loving wife Sarah Dennis the best of feather bed in my house and boulster two pair of blankets two pair of sheets four pillows and a coverlet:

And my mind and will is that my loving wife shall have the whole benefitt and proffitt of all my movable estate undisposed of during her life and if she remains a widow and also the whole bennefitt and proffitt of all the said housing and lands untill my son Joseph Dennis comes to the age of one and twenty years and if shee remains a widow but if shee shall see cause to marry again then my mind and will is I do hereby give unto my said wife but one third of all my movable estate then remaining and one third of the income of the said housing and lands and the other two thirds of the movable estate then remaining housing and lands and bequeath unto all my children then living that is to say every child an equal part to be divided equally between and if shee marry again then my mind and will is that the income of the other two thirds of the said housings and lands until the heirs comes to possess the same shall be divided unto all my children to every child an equal part and my mind and will is that if my said loving wife shall remain a widow, untill the above said houses and lands comes to be possesst as is above expressed and so long as shee remains a widow shee shall have one third of all the privileges in the said housings and lands during her life and not to be turned out of doors and my mind and will is that my loving wife Sarah Dennis do take care and see this my last will and testament performed fulfilled and kept and she I do ordain constitute and appoint and make my wife whole and sole executrix to see this my last will and testament in all things performd I do hereby nominate and appoint my loving wife Thomas Cornall and John Anthony to be the overseers of this my last will and testament desiring them to council and assist my executrix in so far as they can in the due performance of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I the said Robert Dennis have hereunto set my and and seal the eleventh day of the third month called May in the year of the Lord one thousand six hundred ninety one: 1691

Memorandum the words (tow pillows) entee lined before the signing and sealing hereof in the ninteenth line.

Signed sealed and declared by the aforesaid Robert Dennis to be his last will and testament in presence of

Thomas Cornall Robert Dennis

Robert Fish

John Anthony his mark SEAL

Thomas Cornell Robert Fish and John Anthony being engaged according to law testifidth that they saw the abovesaid testator Robert Dennis sign and seal the above written and heard him declare it to be his last will and testament and that then he was of perfect memory to the best of their understanding.

Taken before me the 2d day of the 5th month called July in the year 1691.

Pmo Robert Lawton assistant

The above written is a true copie of the original entred and recorded the 2d of the 5th month 1691 pms John Anthony, Towne Clerke

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