The Will and Inventory of John2 Cooke (Francis1)
Transcribed from the original records,
BY GEORGE ERNEST BOWMAN.
"John2 Cooke (Francis1) died at Dartmouth, Mass., 23 November (3 December, new
style), 1695, and his will and inventory are found in the Bristol County, Mass., Probate
Records, Volume 1, pages 139 and 140. But one original paper remains in the probate
files-the bond of the executrix, Sarah Cooke, daughter of Richard Warren. The date of this
bond, 15 July, 1696 (25 July, N. S.), is the latest on which I have found any mention of
the widow Sarah."
The Last will and Testament of John Cook of
the town of Dartmouth in the County of Bristoll:
I being weake of Body but of sound and
Perfect memory, have Disposed of my Estate which God hath been pleased to bestow: upon me
in manner following that is to say In the first place I give to my Son in-law Arthur
Hathaway & his wife Sarah my Daughter all my land in the point at or Near the Burying
place in Dartmouth the which I bought of John Russell to them their heires and Assignes
for Ever: And also I give unto my Son in-law Stephen west and his wife Mercey my
Daughter one full Third part of a whole Share of lands in the Township of Dartmouth
with all my houseing and Orchards thereunto belonging: with all the priviledges &
appur=ces belonging to the same to them their heires & Assignes for ever
They to possess the same after the
Decease of my wife Sarah
Allso I give unto Jonathan Delano.
one Third part of a share of meadow Caled the ffreemens Meadow Lyeing within the Township
of Rochester to him his heires & assigne for Ever:
Allso I give to my Grandson Thomas Taber my
little Island Caled & Known by the Name of Ram Island Lying in Cushnat River in
Dartmouth with one third part of my Share of Meadow Called the ffreemens Meadow Lyeing in
the Township of Rochester. to him his heires & assignes for Ever and I give to my said
Grand son my Gun & sword
Allso I give to my Grand Daughter
Hester Perry One feather Bed & Bolster, All the Rest & Residue of Estate
Goods & Chattles of what Sort or Kind so ever I Give & bequeath uto my Loveing
wife Sarah to use. & Dispose of the same as she shall see good And I make my said wife
Sole Executrix of this my Last will & Testament: In witness whereof I the said John
Cooke have hereunto sett my hand & seale this Ninth Day of November 1694 in the
presence of
Aaron Savory O his mark John Cooke (seal)
Thomas Taber
memorandum that on the 16th of Aprill 1696 Then appeared Aaron Savory & Thomas Taber
both of Dartmouth, Before John Saffin Esqr Judge of Probate of wills &ca and made Oath
that they were present & did see John Cooke late of Dartmouth Decd Signe seale &
publish this Instrument to be his last will & testiment and yt he was of a Disposeing
mind when he so did to the best of their apprehensions
Jno Saffin
John Cary Registr
Thus Entered & Engrosed may the: 8th 1696 By Jno Cary Registr
December the 7th 1696*
A true Inventory of the Estate Goods & Chattels of John
Cooke late of Dartmouth Deceased
£ s d
Imprs all his Houseing and land at 500 00
00 |
his Cattle of all sorts
020 00 00 |
In Sivir money
025 04 00 |
his wearing apparrel at
0 07 10 00 |
two Beds & Beding at
019 10 00 |
for Severall Remnants of New Cloath
002 05 00 |
for Pueter & Tin vessels
0 01 05 00 |
one warming Pann
000 15 00 |
two Bibles & Six other Books
002 00 00 |
two Iron pots one Iron Kettle & two
old Skillets
002 00 00 |
five Bushels of Corn
000 15 00 |
for linnen yarn & flax teere
001 06 00 |
half a Dozen of Spoons
00 02 00 |
two Chains & Plow—Irons with
Several other old Iron tools at 001 10 00 |
Due in Debts
0 08 00 00 |
One Gun a Sword & Powder &
Bullett
001 10 00 |
one pare of Andjrons two trammils
00 110 00 |
two Chests one Table & a Settle
02 00 00 |
for lumber of all sorts at
023 00 00 |
299 19 00 |
Taken by us the Day & year first above written
Aarther Hathaway Thomas Tabar
April 10th 1696 the widdow Sarah Cooke made oath to ye above written Inventory
Before me Seth Pope Justice of peace
The above Named Sarah Cooke being a very Antient woman and unable to travile far,
it was Necessary that her Deposition should be Taken as above said. to the truth of this
Inventory the which I do alow and Approve and Doe hereby order it to be Recorded in the
Registers Office this 16th Day of Aprill 1696
Jno Saffin Probar
Jno Cary Registr
Thus Entered & Engrossed May the 19th 1696 By Jno Cary Registr
[Bond of Executrix.]
Know all men by these presents that we Sarah Cooke of Dartmouth in the County of Bristoll
in the Province of the Masachusett Bay in New England widow & Relect of John Cooke
late of said Dartmouth Decd and Thomas Taber & Jonathan Delono Both of said
Dartmouth Yeomen Do stand & are firmely bound and oliged unto John Saffin Esqr
Judge of Probat of wills &ca within sd County, in the Sum of five Hundred Ninety four
pounds To be payd unto the sd John Saffin or his Successor in sd office To the which
payment well and truely to be Made we Bind Or selves & Either of us by himself joyntly
& Severally for & in the whole Our & Every & Either of our heires
Executors & Administrs firmely by these presents sealed with our seales Dated in
Dartmouth the fifteenth Day of July 1696 in the Eighth Year of his Majesties Reign
36 Yarmouth, Mass., Vital Records.
The Condition of this present obligation is such that whereas the above Bound Sarah Cooke
is made Executrix of the Last will & Testament of John Cook of Dartmouth aforesd
Deceasd Bearing Date the Ninth Day of Novemb, 1694 & hath Never Legally proved the
same, Iff therefore the sd Executrix shall with all Conveinient Speed bring into the
Registrs Office for the County of Bristoll afforesd A true & perfect Inventory of the
Estate of the Estate of the said Decd And shall well & truely Administr upon &
Duely Dispose of all & Singular the Goods Chattels, Credits & Estate left by the
said Decd according to the Tennor & true meaneing of his sd will. & as the Law
directs And also shall Render a true & plaine account of her Administcon and Doings
therein to the said office at or before the Sixteenth Day of Aprill 1697 without ffraud or
farther Delay then this Obligation to be voyde & of None Effect or Els to stand abide
and Remaine in full force strength & Vertue
Signed sealed & Delivered the mark of Sarah S Cook
in the presence of
Thomas Delano Thomas Taber
the mark of + Hannah Savery Jonathan Delano
