The Will of Allen Perley

In the name of God, Amen! I, Allen Perley, of Ipswich, in the County of Essex, in New England, being by the good blessing of God in good health and enjoying my understanding and memory, yet sensible of my mortal and changeable condition here, and desirous to set my house in order, do therefore make my last will and testament. First. I commit my soul into the hands of Jesus Christ, my blessed savior and Redeemer; my body to be decently buried in that place the Lord shall allot fore me to depart this life in assured hope of a joyful resurrection at the last day. And for my outward estate that God has graciously given me I thus dispose. My three elder sons, viz: John Perlye, Thomas Perley and Samuel Perlye, taking their liberty at the age of twenty-one to leave me at, yet I have given unto them three parts of the land beyond Bachelours brook (each if them a part which they are possessed of and so enjoy) excepting the great meadow, which I do reserve. And all that part of the land which was Nathaniel's my son who is departed this life, which I do give and bequeath unto my two daughters Sarah and Martha Perley. And my house and the use of my land the great meadow I give and bequeath unto my son Timothy, when he shall attain to the age of twenty-three years, provided still my beloved wife Susanna shall have one room to her own use during her natural life. Item. I give unto my beloved wife all my cattle and movable goods and one-third part of the land bequeathed to my son Timothy during her natural life for her comfortable maintenance. And after her decease my will is, the house and land be unto my son Timothy, and the cattle and movable goods be equally divided among all my children then living. And my will and mind is, that if my said wife shall marry, that then the land and room in the house be unto my son Timothy and he to pay unto his mother seven pounds a year during her life. And I do make my beloved wife sole executrix of this my last will. My will further is, that my son Timothy at the age of 23 years shall have the use of part of the stock to the value of thirty pounds during the life of my wife and then to be returned to be divided as is above expressed. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 23 of June Anno Domini, 1670. Signed and sealed and Published as his last will in presence of us: Robert Lord Mary Lord

CODICIL

The 16th day of November, 1671, I Allen Perley, as an explanation of that clause in my will within mentioned, concerning my wife, having given unto her my cattle and movables during her natural life, besides the thirds of land a room in the house and in case of her marriage to leave the room in the house and land and to have seven pounds a year paid to her by my son Timothy but nothing spoken about the cattle and movable goods, --my will is that she return the cattle and movables to be divided among my children, as is expressed in said will. Witness my hand the day and year above written. Signed and Sealed and Published in presence of us: Robert Lord Mary Lord February the 3d, 1675 Before our Honored Majesurates, Mr. Samuel Symond, Dep Gov. and Major-Gen. Denison, the Clerke being present, this will and addition was proved to be the last will and testament of Allen Perley, by the oaths of Robert Lord, Senior, and Mary Lord. As attest, Robert Lord, Clerk

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