William Sargent left a will dated on 9 March 1679/80 in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
10 William Sargent's will, of which the following is a copy, is recorded in the Plymouth Colony Records at Plymouth:
The last Will and Testament of Mr. William Serjant of Barnstable in the Government of New Plymouth, exhibited to the Court held att Plymouth aforsaid on the oathes of Mr. Thomas Hinckley assistant and John Chipman Elder as followeth;
I William Sargeant
of Barnstable in the Bofernment of New Plymouth being weak of body but by the Mercye of God of disposing mind and memory; and calling to mind the uncertainty7 of this Transitory life, and not knowing how soone it may please God to call mee hence, do therefore make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament, heerby revoakeing and adnulling all former and other will or wills heereterfore by mee made either by word or writing; and this only to be accoumpted and accepted as my last will and Testament as followeth
Imp, I will and bqueath my soule to God in Jesus Christ my Deare Saviour and onely redeemer and my body to decent buriall: and as to my Temporall estate which God hath bin pleased far above my deserts, to bestow upon mee; my will is that first of all thatt all my just debts which I owe to any person or persons in right or consience shall be first discharged and staisfyed out of my estate by my executors heerafter named, within convenient time after my decease
Item--I will and bequeath to Sarah my loveing wife all my household stuffe and two of my Cowes to be wholy att her dispose, and the use of the new end of my now dwelling house, or the use of one such Room of my house att Maulden, as shee shall chuse in case shee there desire to live during her natural life, and for the further support and stay of liveing I will unto her eight pounds per annum in current Country pay, to be payed out of the proffitts of my lands by my two sons John and Samuell during her naturall life, vid; my son John to pay six pounds therof and my son Samuel forty shillings therof yeerly, and every yeer during her naturall life.
Item I will and bequeath unto my son John Sergeant my house with all my lands att Maulden. To him and his heirs forever so as hee my said son his heires or assigns, doe well and truely pay or cause to be payed unto Sarah his mother the sume of six pounds per annum as above mensioned, and after his said mothers decease, the sum of five pounds as a leganse which I will to be payed to my Daughter Hannah Feech within one full yeer after his mothers my said wife her decease; and five founds as a legacse I give and bequesth to my Daughter Ruth Bourne within two yeers after my said wifes decease, and five pounds more to my said Daughter Ruth Bourn within three yeers after her my said wifes decease These Legacses to be payed in currant countrye pay at price currant; as they shall grow due and payable;
Item I will and bequeath unto my son Samuell Serjeant my now Dwelling house with all my land in Barnstable to him and his heirs forever, so as hee the said Samuell his heires or assigns doe well and truely pay of cause to be payed unto the said Sarah his mother forty shillings per annum in Currant Country pay during her naturall life, as aforesaid; also I will and bequeath to him the said Samuell my two oxen 2 cowes and a horse with my cart plow and other Tackling thereunto belonging, Item I will to Samuell Bill, my Grandson one heiffer or young horse, and my will is to leave all the rest of my estate in whatsoever it is unto my executors for the payment of my debts, and discharge of my funerall expences, and I doe hereby appoint and declare Sarah my said loveing wife and my Son John Serjeant aforsaid to be my executors of this my last Will and Testament; and my loveing friends Elder John Chipman and Deacon William Crocker to be ouerseers to see this my last Will and Testament be performed, according to the true intent therof; in witness wherof I have heerunto sett my hand and seal this ninth day of Mach Ann Dom 1679/80
William Serjeant (Seal)
Signed sealed and declared
In presence of Thomas Hinckley
John Chipman.
Before leaving Northampton, William and Sarah were invited to dinner by Robert Woodford, a lawyer and steward of that town. His diary reads :We have invited to good people that are goeinge for New England, Mr Sargent, Mr Curwyn, and their wives, for Monday night. (Mr Curwyn was probably George Curwen/Corwin, founder of a Salem MA family.)
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