John Thurber's will was made out on 20 June 1687, was dated 21 March
1703/04, but was not acknowledged until 17 December 1705. The will reads:
In the name of the great and Everlasting God who is from
everlasting to everlasting God blessed for evermore, I John Thurber of
Swansea in County of Bristol, in the Province of the Massituatt Bay in New
England, doe make this my last will and testament as fowling in manner and
form as fowling as I am in perfect health and sound mind.
Item 1 - I give and bequeath my Soule to the Almighjty God who is
my maker and through the merit of his only beloved son the Lord Jesus
Christ my mediator and the blessed spirit through whose holy and
assistants I have been preserved all my life long to this present day and
hour.
Item 2 - I give my boddy to the dust from which it came for burial
at the_________place on _______ of ______ it may be to my ______ and
Edward.
Item 3 - I give unto my beloved son James Thurber, all my
carpentering tools & all my wearing apparell after my decease and all the
rest of my estate, I leave to the direction of my executors of this will.
Item 4 - I make and ordaine my son James Thurber and Robert
Millide my executors of this will.
Item 5 - I give to my grandson John Thurber 5 pon (£).
Item 6 - I will that 15 pon (£) is to be paid after my decease,
the 1st 5 years to James, the 2nd to Charlie, the 3rd to my son John
for him, to each my grand children one shilling and rest to himself.
signed John Thurber
witnesses John Martin
Samuel Gay
On reverse side of the will is the following memorandum:
The great uncertainty of the will referring to the direction given
the executor, not mentioning of his grandson named John that he gives the
5 pounds to: and not mention of his wife in his will to whom he was
marryed more than fifty seaven years: are sufficient in my opinion to null
the will.
Bristol July 3, 1706 Nathal Byfield
With the will is an inventory of "ye goods of John Thurber late deceased,"
showing valuation of 41 pounds, 13 shillings.
A memorandum at foot of this inventory mentions "Priscilla Thurber, widow
and relict of John Thurber." It is signed by John Carey, Reg. Aug. 7,
1706. The will is written on paper with a watermark of the Arms of Great
Britain.