George Soule

     George was born circa 1640 at the Plymouth Colony. George married Deborah Thomas circa 1670 in Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. On 11 August 1677, his father mentions all the land he had previously given him & his brother, Nathaniel, in the Township of Dartmouth. In 1682, he received a grant of land. It was on this land that he & his family lived. He was a "sea rover" like his brother Nathaniel and went with him on many fishing voyages. While absent from home Giles Slocum seems to have presumed upon their indefensible situation and entered upon their lands by trespass. The brothers went into court for adjustment of the case and received a verdict of £150. For most of his life, he was a farmer and lived from the harvest of the land and sea. He was called to fill some minor municipal positions. He seems to have been a very peaceable and worthy man. ir rest. George made his will on 25 March 1697.

The last will and testament of George Soule of Dartmouth, in the county of Bristol, in New England.being of perfect memory and understanding, praised be given to Almighty God for the same. Do bequeath my Body to the Earth from whence it came and my souk unto God who gave it. And I do Commend my well beloved wife and children unto the Gracious Protection of the Lord Jesus Christ, Humbly Entreating him of his Grace to Replenish them with his Holy Spirit so as they may live in the fear of God and Unity of the Spirit all the days of their lives: My will and desire is that all my Lawful Debts may be truely and justly paid where and to whom any is owing and all such debts as is Lawfully due unto me may be Received by my Executors after named. Item, I do give and bequeath unto my Eldest son William Soule unto him and his heirs and assigns forever one quarter part of a share of land Divided & undivided situated lying and being in the said Township of Dartmouth. Item, I do give and bequeath unto my son John Soule unto him and his heirs and assigns forever One Eighth part of a share of land Divided and undivided situated lying and being in the said Township of Dartmouth. Item, I do give and bequeath unto my son Nathan Soule unto him his heirs and assigns forever One Eighth Part of a Share of land with my Dwelling house wherein I live at the day of the date hereof only reserving priviledge for his mother my wife to have free Liberty to Dwell in the said before given to my son Nathan During the time of her widowhood and privilege of all sorts of fruit in ye orchard. Item, I do give and bequeath unto my daughter Deborah Soule Ten pounds in money; and to be paid unto her by my said son Nathan Soule at the age of eighteen years or at the day of her marriage—Item, I do give and bequeath unto my three daughters Mary, Lydia and Sarah Soule the sum of Thirty pounds in money and three good ffeather beds with furniture belonging to them, that is to be paid by my Executrix and Executor after named, the sum of ten pounds and one feather bed and furniture belonging to it unto each of them at the age of Eighteen years or at the day of their marriage. Item, I do Order and Constitute Ordain and Appoint my dear and weilbeloved wife Deborah Soule and my beloved son William Soule to be my Executrix and Executor to see that this my last will and Testament be truly Executed and fulfilled in all respects to the full meaning and true intent thereof in all particulars—Item, I do desire Request and Empower my Trusty and well beloved friends Joseph Tripp and George Cadman both of the said Town of Dartmouth to be overseers of this my last Will and Testament and to be helpful unto my said Executors in the Managin of their affaires by their help Advice and Coun
Cell in the due execution of their places and trust to them committed – Item: I give and bequeath the two overseers five shillings apiece to be paid unto them by my Executors. And in Ratification and Confirmation that this is my last Will and Testament I have hereunto sett my hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of the first month of March and in the year of Our Lurd One Thousand Six hundred and ninety-seven 1697.
GEORGE SOULE (Seal)
Signed Sealed and Owned
in the presence of
ISAAC LAWTON
JOHN COGGSHALL
ELIZABETH COGGSHALL.
Memorandum. Yt on ye 30th day of June 1704 then appeared before Nathaniel Byfield Esq. & Judge of Probate of Wills &co. within the county of Bristol Mr. John Coggshall and Mr. Isaac Lawton two of ye witnesses to the above written will and did Sollomonly declare that they were present and did see the said George Soule late ,of Dartmouth, Deceased, sign seal and declare the above written as his last will and testament and that he was of a Disposing mind when he so did. And they also see Elizabeth Coggshall the other witness sign at the same time.
Jurat Comum
JOHN CARY Regr.     NATHAN BYFIELD.²
George departed this life before 17 May 1704 in Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts. The inventory of George's estate was taken on Saturday, 17 May 1704. It was valued at 591 pounds, six shillings.³ His will was probated on 30 June 1704. To the Judge of Probate of wills - These may Certify the that I am not Capable to come to Bristoll Neither do I accept of what is given to me in my late husbands Will but desire that I may have my thirds according to law: and that my son William Soule may proceed in the Execution of his ffathers will
Dated in Dartmouth ye 22 day of ye 4^th month 1704
          Deborah Soule
Entered the same day 1^st day of July 1704 By John Cary Register.⁴