Will of Rev. Ralph Wheelock

(1600 - 11 Jan 1683/84)

"In the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and eighty on the first day of the twelth month I Ralph Wheelock of Medfield in the County of Suffolk in the Massachusetts Colony in New England being by the good hand of my god preserved unto old age and thence by and the infirmyties insedent thereunto (though at present in pfit memory and understanding blessed be the Lord) am put in mind of my great and last change in this world & knowing that it is my duty to prepare for Death that I be not unprovided when it shall approach I have thought fit for the Discharge of my Duty and quite of mind in the name and feare of god and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and forme as followeth

"First - I having the most and chefest care of my sould doe humble comit it the handes of Jesus Christ my deere redemer trusting that in and through his mirits my said soul after its departure out of this my body shall immediately inherit and glorye and my body I comit to the earth after my decese to be christianly buried at the descrition of my Executors and for my wourldly goodes which god of his mercy hath bestowed on me I dispose of them as followeth Imprimis

"I give and bequeath unto my Eldest sonn Gershom Whellock (and his heyres for ever) six acres of land leying on the south plaine which he have possest and imporved for severall years past more all soe two acres of meadow land lying on Stow River bounded with the meadow formerly granted to Timoth Dwight on the south the other bounded to be according to his imporvement of it for severall years past all soe I give and bequeath unto the said Gershom and his heyres for ever one sixt pt of my great Devident lyeing on that tracte of land last granted to Medfield by the court.

"Item - I give and bequeath unto my sonn Benjanne Whellock and his heyres for ever all that tract of land which formerly bought of Thomas Elice lyeing at or towards the south west end of the long plaine on the west side of Charlls river all soe one half of that land I bought of Mr John Wilson adjoyning to the land above said bought of Thomas Elice and to lye next unto the land bought of the above said Elice all soe I give unto the above Benjamin my sonn the one half of my meadow leying upstream on the west side of Charles river as it shall be equally devided betwen him and his brother Elizer Whellock and I all soe give and bequeath unto the sid Benjamin my sonn one sixt pt of my great Devident lyeing in that tract of land last granted to the Towne by the court as is all soe Seaven acres more at the uper end of my Devident lyeing on the west side of Charles river at the southward most corner of our furst grant from the Contey.

"Item - I will an bequeath unto my sonn Elizer Whellock ten acres of land lyeing in a field comonly called the south plaine lyeing and Adjoyning to that land formerly Henry Adames he paying out thirty shillings in silver to my Executor withn the space of one year after my decese more unto the said Elizer the other half of my meadow upstream on the west side of Charles river the other half wherof is above given to his Brother Benjamin more all soe seaven acres Adjoyning to his Brother Benjamin in my Devident at the southward most corner of our first grant from the Contey more over I give unto said Elizer the house which he now lives in with free ingreese egreese and regreese for the space of two years next after my decease and than to take it away if he will all soe free liberty to lay his English graine in my barne the two years above said.

"Item - I will and bequeath unto my sonn in law Increase Ward and his heyres for ever one third sixt pt of my great Devident in that tract of land Last granted the Town by the court.

"Item - I will and bequeath unto my sonn in law Felix Warren one sixt pt of my great Devident lyeing on the last grant from the Contey and my devident cowse meadow (three acres and a half at the lower end formerly given to my sonn Samuell Wheelock excepted and I doe hereby rettifye and confirme thatacte of my deere and Late wife concerning that cow which she willd to our grand child Rebecath Craft and for the residue of my estate billes bondes landes Debtes and othere moveables wehat soe ever unbequed and not in this my last will and testament above expressed (my Just Debts being payed and my funeral expenses Discharged) and heareby given and bequeathed unto the Sole use of my executor and I doe hereby ratifie and confirme unto all and every of my children all former lands granted to any of them not therein expressed and I doe hereby Constitute appoint and ordain my Loveing and well beloved Son Samuell Whellock my Executor of this my last will and testament to the intent that he shall see the same efectually pformed according to my said intent and mening therein unto whom I commit and give all full power and trust for the efecting therof and I doe hereby request and desire my loving & much respected brother in law George barbour as overseer to be Aiding and Assisting to my Executor to this my last will and testament and I doe hereby utterly revoke all other wiles and bequeathed what se ever formerly made and published and in token that is my last will and testament contained and written in this sheets of paper I have put to my hand and affixed my seal this 3 of the 3: 1681.

Signature of Ralph Wheelock (circa 1655)

Ralph Wheelock (Seal)
Signed Sealed and Published
in the presence of us
George Barbur
Samuel Barbur
"This will exhibited unto ye County Court for Suffolk sitting in Boston pro May 1, 1684 by Samuel Wheelock nominated Executor Cap George Barbur and Samuel Barbur then made Oath that they were present when Mr. Ralph Wheelock Signed Sealed and Published this Instrument to be his last will & y then he was disposing mince to their best understanding. Attest: Isaac Addington Clre "A true copy of record attest Arthur W. Dolan, Register"

"Further my will is that my books not formerly disposed of shall after
my decease shall be Devided amongst my children."

(Transcribed by Roderick B. Sullivan, Northborough, MA)