willjosiahburnham

 The Last Will and Testament
 of
Josiah Burnham of Montage Massachusetts

                                                                
Submitted By: Lawrence Bergeron

 In the name of God….Amen

I Josiah Burnham, of Montague being sick and weak of body, but strong in mind and memory and apprehending my great change near approaching. Do will and bequeath as followeth I Commit my soul to God in hope of enjoying eternal bliss with him, and my body to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executors, and as to my worldly goods, I give and dispose as followeth.

I give to Margrit (Margaret) my beloved wife, the free use and improvement of all my Real Estate, during her natural life, it being the sum of one hundred acres of land being in partnership with my two sons Vis Josiah Burnham Jr and James Burnham. Altogether with one acre of land lying at Ye southeast corner of the above-mentioned hundred acre farm my dwelling house and one third of a barn with my interest in the orchard standing on the farm. And at her decease, I give all the above mentioned articles to my son Daniel Burnham. Except that my personal estate should not be sufficient to pay my debts. In that case the same to be made up of the above mentioned articles and if there be over plus of personal estate after any such debts are paid the same shall belong to Margrit to dispose of as she think fit.

As for my other Children Vis Josiah and James Thomas, Hannah, Izenah (Irena) and Martha these have all received their share of my estate. And I do chose and appoint Margrit, my beloved wife to be sole Executor of this my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof I have given my hand and seal this eleventh day of June 1763 and in the third year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George 3rd King

Signed and sealed in presents of all
And witnessed in presents of the
Executor and the presents of
Each other 
{There are three signatures}                                  {Josiah's signature}

John Gumm                                                             Josiah Burnham

Joseph Rook                                                           {Here we have the probate notes}

Laura Shalleck

Home