Will of Jenkin Thomas (1742/3)

In the name of God amen the thirteenth day of January in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and forty two-three I Jenkin Thomas of Charlestown the county of Chester being sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my executrix.  And as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give and dispose of the same as follows.

Imprimis I give and bequeath unto Joseph Thomas my eldest son the sum of three pounds to be paid unto him by my executrix hereafter named so soon as this my last will and testament will be in force and to be set out on interest by my children’s overseers or guardians which are hereafter named and to be paid by them unto the said Joseph Thomas with their lawful interest when he comes to age.

Item I give and bequeath unto my said son Joseph Thomas the sum of thirty pounds current lawful money of Pennsylvania to be paid by my executrix when he comes to age but if he dies before he comes to age the said sum are to be equally divided by the overseers or guardians between the survivor s of my children

Item I give and bequeath unto my said son Joseph my Bible.

Item I give and bequeath unto my second son Isaac Thomas my book called the Practice of Piety.

Item I give and bequeath unto my said son Isaac twenty pounds lawful money as aforesaid to be paid unto him by my executrix when he comes to age and if he dies before he comes to age the said sum is to be equally divided as aforesaid.

Item I give and bequeath unto Sarah Thomas my eldest daughter my book called The Almost Christian and ten shillings to be paid unto her by my executrix when this my last will come in force and to be put out on interest by the said overseers or guardians and o be paid by them unto her with their lawful interest when she comes of age.

Item I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Sarah fifteen pounds lawful money aforesaid to be paid unto her by my executrix when she comes to age and if she dies before she comes to age the said legacies are to be equally divided as aforesaid.

Item I give and bequeath unto Mary Thomas my youngest daughter my book called the sure Guide to Heaven.

Item I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Mary fifteen pounds to be paid unto her by my executrix when she comes to age and if she dies before she comes to age the said legacies go be equally divided as aforesaid.

Item I give and bequeath unto Sarah my dearly beloved wife whom I likewise constitute make and ordain my only and sole executrix of this my last will and testament all and singular my real and personal estate (the aforesaid legacies only excepted) by her heirs executors administrators and assigns freely to be possessed and enjoyed forever.

Item I likewise constitute make and ordain Thomas Thomas of Radnor, John David of Plymouth my brother John Thomas of Newcastle and Thomas Innings to be overseers and guardians over my wife and children.

Item it is my will that if in case Sarah my dearly beloved wife and executrix after my decease happens to marry that then  my children are to be free from her and be ordered as their overseers and guardians judge most advantageous for them (viz) my children are not to be bound but in cause of great necessity as servants but am willing that they should bound o any good honest and profitable trade.

Item it is likewise my will that my sons may be sufficiently taught to read write and cipher and my daughters to read and write.

I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and disannul al and every other former testaments wills and legacies bequests and executors by me anyways before this time named willed and bequeathed ratifying and confirming this and not other to be my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto se my hand and seal the day and year above written.

Witnesses

Thomas James
David Davies

Nathaniel Davies

Administration granted Philadelphia 26 March, 1743

Inventory dated 2 March, 1742/3 by William George and Thomas Howell

Transcribed by James Lloyd