The Will of Gideon Sheldon, written in Pittsford, Rutland, Vermont on 17 Mar 1798
Pg 44
In the name of God Amen I Gideon Sheldon of Pittsford in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont being through the goodness of God tho weak in body yet of a sound and perfect understanding and memory. Do Constitute this my last Will and testament and do desire it may be received by all as such–
First I most humbly bequeath my soul to God my maker beseaching his most gratious acceptance of it thro the all sufficient merrits of the blessed redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself a ransom for sinners and it able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by him Amen–
I give my body to the Earth from whence it was taken in full assurance of its resurrection from thence at the last Day— as to my burial I desire it may be decent at the discretion of my Wife and Executor here after named —-
As to my worldly estate I will and positively order that all my debts be paid—I give to my dear and loving Wife the use of all my household furniture during her life and then it be divided equally between my three daughters and Lois Crippen my wives Daughter – and I give to her our house and one Cow to her as her own property and one third of my land and property during the time sje continues as my Widow. —
Imprimis I give to Samuel my oldest son one dollar as be paid in one year after my decease— I give to Gideon my son one dollar to be paid in one year after my decease— I give to Jeremiah my Son one dollar to be paid in one year after my decease. I give to my oldest daughter Betty one dollar to be paid in one year after my decease – as I have given to my four oldest children their portion heretofore.—-
Imprimis I give to Hannah and Rachel my two youngest daughters one hundred dollars each to be paid in two years from my decease. — I give to Lois my wife’s youngest daughter one hundred dollars to be paid in two years from me decease — I give unto to John my youngest son all my remaining property to be paid to him by David Jackson at his discretion whom I appoint as his trustee, and I also constitute him my Executor of this my last Will and testament in witness whereof I have here unto Set my hand and seal this 17th of March 1798 Gideon Sheldon and seal –
—- here I do attach of my seal and declared this to be my Last Will and testament.
Benja Whipple, Asa Stevens, Samel Fairfield
The several blots above was made upon signing and also the words him in the intention and God and at discretion (mark)
[The last line with the mark was written by the individual who transcribed the original Will into the record book, they were making a notation of blots on the original page. These blots were not visible in this early copy].
Page 45
At a Court of probate held at Tinmouth within and for the Probate district of Rutland in the 9th day of April 1798 before the Hon. Elisha Clark Esq. Judge of said Court. This Will is presented in said Court by David Jackson Executor there in named for probate and Samuel Fairfield and Asa Stevens personally appeared and made Solemn oath that they Saw Gideon Sheldon Sign and Seal this Will that they heard him publish pronounce and declare the same to be his last Will and testament, that he appeared to them to be of a sound disposing mind and memory and that they subscribed their names as witness in the presence of the testator and in the presence of each other as did also Benj. Whipple the other witness. Wherefore this Will is approved ratified and confirmed as the Last Will and testament of the said Gideon Sheldon the testator
by Elisha Clark Judge
The preceding is a true copy of the Original: Elisha Clark jur
