Will of John Blakesley, New Haven, CT,
dated 17 March 1712/13

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In the Name of God, Amen. I, John Blakely [sic] of New Haven, being now sick and weak and under some appearances of my Great Change by Death, yet of sound mind and memory, do see cause to make and ordain this to be my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following.

Imps. I give my soul to God who gave it through Jesus Christ, my merciful redeemer, in hopes of free redemption through his merits; and my body to a decent and Christian burial according to the discretion of my executors hereafter named; and as for that temporal estate which God hath blessed me with, I dispose of as followeth. After my just debts and funeral expenses are paid, my will is that my dear and loving wife Grace Blakely [sic] shall have the one half of my personal estate to be at her own dispose only amongst my children, according to her discretion.

2ndly that my two sons John and Moses Blakly [sic] shall have all my real estate in housing, lands, and meadow, respect being had to what either of them have already received and that it be equally divided between them both as to quantity and quality. Also, my will is that my said sons do comfortably provide for their mother during her natural life.

3rdly my will is that my daughter Mary Ford shall have five pounds of money paid to her by my executors out of my personal estate beside what she hath already received.

4thly as to what remains of my personal estate after just debts and legacies are paid, my will is that it be equally divided between my sons John and Moses and Anna Sperry, the wife of Moses Sperry.

Further, my will is that what I have given to my two sons as also to my daughters shall be to them and their heirs and assigns forever. Also, my will is that my two sons shall have all my rights in commonage in new Haven, to them, their heirs, and assigns forever.

Lastly, I do nominate and appoint my dear and loving wife Grace Blakely [sic] and my sons John Blakely [sic] and my son Moses Blakely [sic] to be my Executrix and Executors of this my Last Will and Testament.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand or mark and seal this seventh day of March, one thousand seven hundred and twelve or thirteen [17 March 1712/3].

John Blakly [sic], his mark ["B"]

In presence of us witnesses:
Abraham Bradley       John Munson       Theophilus Munson

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Source: New Haven, Connecticut, Will Book 4, Page 144