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| Signatures on Michael Turpin's Last Will and Testament |
In May 2016, I blogged about Michael Turpin’s will. I had found a portion of it quoted on a
website. Since that time, I have located a copy of the complete will. It names
three sons of Michael and Edith Turpin – Obediah (who seems to be the oldest), John,
and James. I have transcribed it below as best as I could. Italics are used for verbiage that I couldn't quite interpret.
Michael Turpin’s Last Will and Testament
In the name of God, Amen.
I Michael Turpin of the County of Halifax being very sick and weak in
body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God calling unto mind the
mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die,
do make and ordain in this my last will and testament that is to say principally
and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hand of almighty God
that gave it and my body I recommend to be buried in decent Christian burial at
the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the general
resurrection. I shall receive the same
again by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly estate wherewith
it hath pleased God to help me in this life I give, devise, dispose of
the same in the following manner and form.
I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Edith all my stock
of all kinds also my household furniture and the land which lies the other side
of the creek during her lifetime and then to decend to my son John and James. Secondly I give to my son Obediah Turpin who
I likewise ordain, constitute, and appoint with his two brothers before named
to be my executors of this my last will and testament, the remainder part of
land to him and his heirs forever and if the rent of the said land does not pay
for the land at the end of four years then each of the boys before mentioned to
pay equally what is their due. I also
give my mill and the profits one half to wife Edith and the other half to my
son Obediah by him freely to be possessed and enjoyed and I do hereby xxxxly
disallow, revoke and disannull all and every other form in testaments, wills,
legacies, bequests and executors by me in anywise before named willed and bequeathed,
ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament in
witness xxx I have here unto set my hand and seal this second day of
September in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety
three. Signed, sealed, published, pronounced,
and declared by the said Michal Turpin as his last will and testament in the
presents of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have here
unto subscribed our names.
Michael (his mark) Turpin
Allen Whitehead
Benjamin Clements
Josiah (his mark) Shelton
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