“John G. Whittier.”
Will of Mary Chilton Winslow
In the files of Suffolk County Registry of Probate at Boston, there are still preserved a number of wills of members of the Plymouth Colony, of Mayflower fame, which are both quaint and interesting. Among these is the original will of Mary Chilton Winslow, together with a bond of the administrators, signed by her son, John Winslow, and son-in-law, Richard Middlecott.
This will is written on one side of a sheet of paper, a little over eighteen by fourteen inches in size, and is in excellent condition, except in some of the creases made by folding. The instrument is dated July 31, 1676. It recites:
“I, Mary Winslow of Boston in New England Widdow being weake of Body but of Sound and perfect memory praysed be almighty God for the same Knowing the uncertainety of this present life and being desirous to settle that outward Estate the Lord hath Lent me. I doe make this my last Will and Testamt in manner and forme following:”
The bequests are very numerous: she gives to her son, John Winslow, her “great Square table.” Unto her daughter, Sarah Middlecott, her “Best gowne and Pettecoat” and her “Silver beare bowle,” and to each of her children, “a Silver Cup with a handle.” Unto her daughter, Susanna Latham, one “long Table and one great Cupboard”; and unto her grandchild, Susanna Latham, one “Pette Coat with the silke Lace.” To Mary Winslow, daughter of her “sone,” Joseph Winslow, the “sume of twenty pounds in money to be paid unto said Mary when she attains the age of eighteen years or day of Marriage which of them should first happen.” Unto “Thomas Thacher paster of the third Church in Boston,” the sum of five pounds was given. The inventory attached to this will is an exceedingly interesting document, dealing as it does with the articles of dress and household use of those days.
Will of Brigham Young
It does not fall to the lot of many men to make such a testamentary disposition as that of Brigham Young. He died on August 29, 1877.
He provided for the payment of his debts and the current expenses of his numerous families: the bulk of his fortune of the estimated value of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars, was left in trust for his families; the trustees being George Q. Cannon, Brigham Young, Jr., and Albert Carrington.
His families were divided into classes, each class being represented by a wife and children, or a wife without children, or the children of a deceased wife. There were nineteen classes in all. At the time of his death, his living wives numbered eighteen, and there were three deceased: he was also “sealed” to a number of other women, in accordance with the ritual of the Mormon Church. The authorities vary as to the number of these spiritual wives. However, no mention is made of them in the will. He had forty-eight children, including an adopted child.