Last Will and Testament of Samuel Hodges Jr.
the
U.S.
Consul
to
Cape
de Verde
Islands.(written in 1824)
[Source: Norfolk County, Mass. Probate # 9621 - 53:431-432]
In the Name of God Amen, I Samuel Hodges Jun. Consul of the United States of America at the Cape de Verd Islands, residing at St. Java, considering the uncertainty of this Mortal life and being of sound and perfect memory, Blessed be Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in the manner and form following to wit:
First, I give & bequeath to my beloved wife Marion W. Hodges, all my personal estate both at the Cape de Verd Islands & United States also all the Real Estate both at St. Jago of a Dwelling House, yard & other buildings and at Stoughton of an undivided part of a Cotton Factory, Grist mill, Store, Dwelling house barn & land after the payments of my just debts and the payments of Five hundred Dollars, to my Mother Lucinda Hodges of Stoughton, in the United States, as a Legacy, & in consideration of the love & respect I bear for her - In the event & it should please Almighty God to bear me by my wife and child or children, then the improvements, of all my estate only to belong to my wife after paying the Five hundred Dollars to my Mother, until they shall attain the age of twenty one years cash, she maintaining him, her or them during their Minority without charge, and at the time of arriving to the age of Twenty one years, then to divide one half of the estate that shall be after paying the Legacy aforesaid, remaining equally, with interest on the same.
I hereby appoint Marion W. Hodges, my beloved wife sole Executor of this my lat Will and Testament; and hereby revoking all former Wills, by me made.
In Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal, the sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and Twenty four.
Samuel Hodges Junr (Seal)
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named Samuel Hodges Junr to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us, who have hereto subscribed our Names as Witnesses in the presence of the Testator.
John Robinson
Willm G. Merrill
Nathl L. Nicholson