John BLAKE

                   D-Will probated 7 Jan 1728
Sources:Wrentham Vital Recs.;N.E. H. & G. Reg. V4 p 84
Will of John Blake; Suffolk Probate Rec. #5705
Vol 35 N E 11 G Reg. P. 183 Wrentham, VRP. 23, 4-9.
Granddaughter Zipporah Adams from Will Probate rec.#5705

WILL OF JOHN BLAKE:
       Boston, Mass. Probate Record #5705

       In the Name of God Amen  I John Blake of Wrentham in the county of Suffolk in New England Husbandman being bound a voyage at sea & considering the dangers thereof & the uncertainty of the time my death Do make this my last will & testamt as following Viz
       First I Commend my Spirit into the Hands of God my Creator hoping for the pardon of my sins & to obtain Eternal life thro the merits and mediation of His son Jesus Christ my Redeemer, & My Body i commmit to the Earth or Sea as God in his providence shall order believing in the power of God for the Resurection thereof at the last day.  And as touching this Worlds Goods & Estate which the Lord hath lent me I will Dispose thereof as followeth  that is to say ----

Imprs  I will that all m just Debts and Funeral Charges (If any be) shall be paid by my son and Executor in convenient time after my decease

Item  I give one third of my Real Estate to my loving wife Johanna during her life or in lieu thereof Ten pounds per annum to be paid by my Executor during her life

Item  I give to my daughter Anne Blake the sum of Fifty pounds

Item  I give to my daughter Bridget Blake five shillings & no more and Exclude her from any further part of my estate

Item  I give to my daughter Mary Whipple Fifty Pounds to be paid her upon the decease of her present husband in case she outlive him But otherwise I give the do sum to her child or children if any she shall leave behind her

Item  I give to my daughter Abigail Pray the sum of one hundred and twenty pounds what I have already advanced to her to be reckoned part thereof.

Item  I give to my daughter Hannah one hundred & (??) pounds what I have already advanced to her to be accounted as part thereof

Item  I give to my daughter Amiable fifty pounds

Item  I give to my Granddaughter Zipporah Adams the sum of fifty pounds.

Lastly  I give and devise unto my Dutiful son James Blake & his Heirs Exers Admrs & Assigns forever All the rest & residue of my Estate as well Real as personal wheresoever ths same is lying or shall be found and I do nominate and appoint him sole Executor of this my will renouncing all former & other wills by me made.  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal the second day of December in the tenth year of His Majtsy Reign   Anno Domini 1723
                                                         /s/ Jn. Blake
Signed Sealed & Delivered by the Testator to be my last will & testament in presence of us The sum given to Hannah being one hundred pounds
                 Joshua Fairbank, Samll, Scott, Samuel Tyley
      Suffolk By the Honble Josiah Willard Esq. Judge of Probate

       The following will being presented for probate by the Executors herein named.  Joshua Fairbanks Samuel Scott & Samuel Tyley made oath that they saw John Blake the Subscriber to this instrument sign and seal and heard him publish and declare the same to be his last Will & Testament  And that when he so did he was of sound disposing mind & memory according to these deponents best discerning and that they set to their hands as witnesses thereof in the said Testators presence
       Boston 7 January 178                              /s/ J. Willard

       James Blake Executor named in the last Will & Testament of his Father John Blake aforsaid deceased declares he has not heard from his said Father since May 1st last was four years and then he had a letter from Capt. Wanton the Master of the vessell in which he was taken that he left him in the Bay of Hondoras But since has heard no certain account of him tho often enquired after him.
                                                                   /s/ James Blake

       Elder Caleb Lyman declares that John Blake of Wrentham in the county of Suffolk Husbandman before he went to sea which was in the year 1723 left his last Will & Testament with his wife and desired if he did otherways then well, said will might be given to the Judge and that he has often enquired of him but could hear nothing certain . . .

       Suffolk:  By the Honorable Jos. Willard Esq., Judge of Probate Elder Lyman & James Blake made oath to the verity of their respective declarations above mentioned.  before me 7 January 1728.
                                                                       /s/ J. Willard Story