William Gifford1,2

M, b. circa 1615, d. before 7 March 1688
     William was born circa 1615 in England. He was a tailor. The family were Quarkers. William married the 16th day of the 5th month 1683 in Sandwich, Cape Cod, Barnstable County, Massachusetts.3 William made his will on 9 April 1687 at Sandwich, Cape Cod, Barnstable County, Massachusetts.

Know ye that I William Gifford of the Towne of Sandwich in New England beinge weake in body but through the mercy of God have my understanding and memory continued unto mee and having in my consideration the shortness, the uncertainty of my of my continuance here in this world and being also willing and desirous to set in order my outward concerns and to dispose of the remaining parte of that Estate with God hath given me; I do make this my last will and Testament (hereby revoking and making void all other and former wills whatsoever) wherefore besides what I have already given unto my Sons and also to my daughter.
First, I now give unto my Son John Twenty shillings in Silver money.
2ly I give unto my Son Hannaniah ten shillings in Silver money.
3ly I give unto my Son William one stock of Bees.
4ly I give unto my Son Christopher one croscutt saw & a new payer of shoose.
5ly I give unto my Son Robert five pounds in Currant pay to be paid in 2 year from ye date hereof.
6ly I give unto my daughter Mary five pounds in currant pay to be paid in 2 year after ye date hereof.
7ly I give unto my Grand daughter Temperance Kerby twenty shillings in silver money.
8ly I give unto my two Grand sons John and Robert Kerby five shillings aped in silver money.
9ly I give unto my two Grand daughters Experience and Sarah Kerby five shilling each in silver money.
10ly I give unto all ye rest of my Grand children one shilling apiece in silver money.
More. I give unto my daughter Mary above mentioned one Cow to be paid 4 year after the date hereof, all my other gifts above mentioned to be paid in 2 years after ye
Further more I give my two Sons namely Jonathan and James Gifford ten Acres of upland being at Suckanesit & lying by old Knowlies Land in the twenty acres Lots and also one piece of a sheare of ye undivided Lands in Suckanesit.
For the satisfaction of those who may be conserned herein I hereby give to understand that besides it I have before disposed of having a parcel of land then remaining in my possession and having since disposed of it to my Son William, the produce of this Land do I order for the satisfying of the periculers above mentioned, and of what is yet remaining do give five pounds to be improved for the use and of service of truth by my friends in Sandwich called quakers.
Further I do make my wife Mary the Executrix of this my last will and Testament. Also I do constitute and make my Loving Frinds Jacob Mott the Elderof Road Island Edward Perry and William Allin the Over seers of this my will for true and faithful performance of it. And when these above mentioned gifts and persons then what is remaining of ye above mentioned produce as by Bond appeare & I do give my above said Over seers full power to help my above said Executrix in their disposing of it as they shall judg meet, and that it shall not be disposed of with out their consent.

Dated ye ninth day of ye second month April, 1687.      William Gifford
Signed and sealed in presence of
Jon Easten
Samuel Perry
Edward Perry.4

William departed this life before 7 March 1688 in Sandwich, Cape Cod, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. The inventory of William's estate was taken on Sunday, 7 March 1688. By William Bassett and John Nye being valued at 45 pounds.5 His will was probated on 9 March 1688.

Family 1

Children

Family 2

Mary Mills
Children

Citations

  1. [S115] Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Showing Three Generations Of Those Who Came Before May, 1692, On The Basis Of Farmer's Registar, Volume I: page 249 - William Gifford was of Boston 1654 and was a brick layer.
  2. [S1553] Almon E. Daniels, William Gifford of Sandwich, Mass. (d. 1687) - www.americanancestors.org.
  3. [S1553] Almon E. Daniels, William Gifford of Sandwich, Mass. (d. 1687), page 247 - www.americanancestors.org.
  4. [S1550] Barnstable, MA: Probate Records 1685-1789, Volume I: page 17 - Will of William Gifford dated: 2 April 1687 & probated: 9 March 1688.
  5. [S1550] Barnstable, MA: Probate Records 1685-1789, Volume I: page 17 - Inventory: 7 March 1688.