Abijah Colton Will

MAY 18, 1808

I Abijah Colton being of sound disposing mind and memory, considering the mortality of my body and knowing that all men must die , do ordain and constitute this my last will and testament.

First I recommend my soul into the hands of that God who gave it to me at first.

2nd It is my will that all my honest debts be paid out of my moveable estate.

3rd It is my will that Mary,my well beloved wife have one third part of my stock and also part of my household furniture to be at her own disposal with the use of one third of my house and barn and one third of the farm during her natural life. The wood needful for her life prepared(?) at the door and horse to ride on when she shall see fit.

4th My will is that Betsy have the school house lot one ? third part of the house old furniture with three sheep as her own forever together with the use of one room in my house as long as she shall live unmarried and wood to support one fire during that period and horse to ride also rom in the garden for what she may need for her own comfort.

What remains of the household furniture it is my will that should be kept for the benefit of the family until the death of my wife and then what remains of it tobe the property of this daughter.

5th I give to my daughter Polly the sum of $30 dollars if she remains alive if not to her children within 5 months after my death.

6th To each of my sons George and Chester I give $100 to be paid 4 months of my death if not paid before

7 I give my son Roderick all the lands I already have not disposed of viz ye part of my mountain lot lying in Farmington and my farm on which I now live and with all the buildings theron.

It is my will to gather with the stock which remains that my wife and Betsy have ? their part, all the farming tools and utensils to be at his own disposal provided that he take good care of me, my wife, my sister Lucina and my son Charles while we live and provided that he take good care of my daughter Betsy if she remain in single life after the death of my life and through infirmity ? or weakness. He might not be able to provide for herself that ? to it ? He may have what help she shall need bearing in mind that if doing good he shall be ? and that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

8 I constitute my son Roderick executor my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills and ? by me ratifying and confirming? Third? Only to be my last will and testament. Final ? whereof I have? To set my hand and seal ?? This 25th day of May in the year of our Lord 1809.

Signed

August 26th 1818

George Colton

Martha Colton

Sophia Shephard