Will of Reuben Sackett of Warren, Litchfield County, Connecticut.
Abstract
Date: 19 Mar 1800.
Beneficiaries:
Wife Mercy, household furniture, a horse, 2 cows, 10 sheep, dwelling house & ¾ of home lot during widowhood & one-third during lifetime.
Son Samuel, £10.
Son Alexander, one-third of home lot, plus other two-thirds on payment of £65 to brothers: £10 to Samuel, £20 to Aaron, and £35 to Cyrus; division of land in these proportions as alternative to payment. Alexander's debt to Reuben of £25 to be cancelled.
Son Aaron, £20.
Son Cyrus, £35.
Daughter Aner, 26-acre lot known as Johnson's lot.
Daughter Mercy Lucinda, ten shillings.
Daughter Violitty, ten shillings.
If any of Samuel, Aaron, or Cyrus do not claim, their share of estate to be divided equally among Alexander, Aner, Mercy Lucinda, and Violitty.
Executor: son Alexander.
Witnesses: Lysander Curtiss, Lovina Curtiss, George W Curtiss.
Witnesses sworn at Litchfield County Court, 25 Jul 1803.
Inventory, 10 Aug 1803.
Abstract
Included home lot, 24 acres, with dwelling house, barn, and weaver's shop $410; 30-acre lot across the highway in front of house being part of Colledge lot $540, 26-acre wood lot called the Johnson Pitch $140.
Distribution of estate, dated 13 Sep 1803, included lists of livestock and other items with values distributed to beneficiaries: Reuben & Aner Williams $34; John & Mercy Lucinda Fuller $45; John & Violitty Bates $36; Alexander Sackett, part of his father's clothes, $10. Distribution ratified as their free & voluntary act at Litchfield County Court, 11 Feb 1804, by Alexander Sacket, Reuben Williams, Aner Williams, John Fuller, M Lucinda Fuller, John Bates, & Violetta Bates.
Transcript
In the Name of God Amen
I Reuben Sackett of Warren in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut Being in perfect health mind & Memmory do make & ordain this my last will & testament in manner and form following, that is to say—First I will and Give my Soul to God my Maker beseaching his most Gracious acceptance of it through Jesus Christ my only Saviour. I positively order that all my Debts be paid.
First I give to Mercy my Dear wife all my household furniture, one Horse, saddle and bridle, two Cows & ten Sheep & my Right in the Library at her own disposal and the whole of my Dwelling house and the one half of the Barne & loom Shop together with three Quarters of my home lot that I have by Deed and lease during her widowhood and the one third During her lifetime.
To my well beloved son Samuel I give ten pounds.
To my well beloved son Alexander I give one third of my home lot I have by Deed and lease and the other two thirds on condition that he shall pay sixty five pounds to my other three sons in manner following that is to say to Samuel ten pounds to Aron twenty and to Cirus thirty five pounds to be paid in net Cattle or money to be paid in one year after my Decease. But in case the above said Samuel Aron and Cyrus should not appear at the time above mentioned to receive said Cattle then he the said Alexander shall sell and dispose of sd Cattle for cash so soon as it can be done without loss And put the money at Lawful Interest so that sd Heirs may Receive the several sums with the Interest within the space of ten years But should the sd Alexander Refuse to comply with the above written termes then the above mentioned two thirds of sd land to be Distributed to the sd Samuel Aron & Cyrus in the same proportion above mentioned.
Also to my well beloved sone Aaron I give twenty pounds.
Likewise to my well beloved sone Cyrus I give Thirty five pounds.
Also I do give my well beloved Daughter Aner twenty six acres of land I bought of Ebennezer Tanner & known by the name of the Johnson lot.
To my well beloved Daughter Mercy Lucinda also I give ten shillings.
Likewise to my well beloved Daughter Violitty I give ten shillings.
N.B. If the sd Samuel Aaron & Cyrus above mentioned come forward or make application for their above mentioned sums any time within the space of ten years after this Instrument is in force then they shall Receive the same. But on their neglect or refusal to make such demand within that term they all or Either of them so neglecting shall forfeit his or their legacy or legacies to be Equally Distributed to Alexander, Aner, Mercy Lucinda, and Violitty, Excepting twenty shillings for Each of them which is never to be Distributed untill they call for it. Meaning Samuel Aaron & Cyrus.
Whereas I now have an Obligation of twenty five pounds against my well beloved son Alexander Bareing Date the 31st March 1788 Payable in Neet Cattle; I therefore direct that at my Decease it shall be void and of none Effect and Remain no longer in force against him, he the sd Alexander to pay all my Debts & to have all my farming utensials & carpenter's tools, to have all the benefit that may be Derived from Caverley Strong's mortgage Deeds to secure the College Rent.
Furthermore I direct that all my Stock & such of my property as has not been heretofore mentioned in this writing shall be Equally Divided and Distributed to my three Daughters Aner, Mercy Lucinda, & Violitty.
Lastly I constitute and appoint my well beloved son Alexander Executor of this my last Will and Testament.
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand
In Warren this 19th Day of March 1800 Reuben Sackett.
[Witnesses]
Lysander Curtiss
Lovina Curtiss
George W Curtiss.