HAWKINS Artifacts--Daniel's Will

In the name of God amen – I Daniel Hawkins of Winchester in the County of Cheshire and State of New Hampshire, Esq. being of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God for the same. And knowing it is appointed for all men once to die do make this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hand of God that gave it and by body to the Earth to be decently buried in a Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors. And touching such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with in in this life I give demise and dispose of in the following form and manner. Viz I give to my wife Mary Hawkins all the household furniture which she brought with her when she came to live with me also all other property of every ... and nature except ..... of hand which she holds ... me in case she relinquishes all her right of dower in my estate and not otherwise. I give to my Daughter Nancy Farrington her heirs and assigns forever about thirty acres of pasture and wood land in said Winchester lying on both sides of the old County road that leads from Winchester to Northfield adjoining East on Burts land South and west of Wises land and north on my own land. I give to my Grandson Jonathan Howard Jr. the improvement of about sixty four acres of land be the same more or less in said Winchester for the use and support of his family during his and his wife’s natural life and at their decease to be equally divided between his children to their heirs and assigns forever. Bounded as follows viz beginning on Zenas Fairbanks line a bound of William Howards land then North about nine degrees west on said Howards line about two hundred and twenty five rods to Doolittles line then west about nine degrees south on said Doolittles line about forty rods to a stake and stones then south about nine decrees east to within about forty rods of said Fairbanks line then a southwesterly course to the Old Hinsdale road five rods North of sd Fairbanks line then a southerly course on the East side of sd road to Fairbanks line then East about nine degrees North on sd Fairbanks line to first mentioned bound (turn over) I also give to my grand daughter Pamely Hawkins four hundred dollars to be paid in six months from this date with interest. I also give to my Grand sons Stephen O. Hawkins, Oliver P. Hawkins and Daniel Hawkins 3rd all sons of Stephen Hawkins about thirty acres of wood land adjoining Easterly on Burts land southerly on Nancy Farrington’s land westerly on Fosters land and Northerly on lands of my own and Wooley and to them their heirs and assigns forever. I also give to the heirs of Amy Oldham five Dollars to the heirs of Mary Ripley twenty Dollars and to the heirs of Frinda Comstock five Dollars to be paid in one year after my decease. I also give to the inhabitants of School District No. 2 two hundred dollars to be appropriated to the building of a Meeting house in said District to be paid in two years from this date. I hereby constitute and ordain Doctr Horace Chapin and John Capron both of Winchester to be my joint executors to this my last will and testament here by disannuling and revoking all former wills. I also order my said Executors to pay all my just and lawful debts and the above mentioned legacies. And whatever shall remain after paying the debts and the above mentioned legacies and all legal expenses in settling said Estate the remainder to be divided into seven shares viz one share to Stephen Hawkins children, one share to Ephraim Hawkins Children, one share to the Children of Daniel Hawkins Jr. deceased, one share to Thankful Howard, one share to Freelove Dean, one share to Betsy Ripley and one share to Nancy Farrington to be paid in one year after my decease. The above and fore written will has been done by the most mature and candid reflection and consideration and I do hereby declare and pronounce this to be my last will and testament and deliver the same as such in testimony where of I have here unto set my hand and seal this second of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and twenty three – 1823. Signed sealed and delivered in the presents of –William Allen, Samuel Fairbanks, Stephen Corey.