Nathaniel Bearding

     Nathaniel was born circa 1591 in England. The name of his first wife is not known. He is first recorded in New England in 1636 at Hartford where he was one of the founders of the settlement along with Thomas Spencer, William Andrews and others. Nathaniel married 2nd Abigail Graves circa 1670 in Hartford at the First Church. Nathaniel made his will on 7 January 1674 at Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut.

I Nathaniel Berding of Hartford upon the River of Connecticut, planter, do in this my last will & testament give to Abigail my wife the sume of Twenty pounds to be payd her in such pay as may be comfortable for her, not in any horse flesh. I do also give to Abigail my wife three cows, both which gifts for her to possess * enjoy forever. I do also hereby give to Abigail my wife the sum of £10 by the year to be payd her fifty shillings in wheat fifty shillings in peas, fifty shillings in Indian corn, & fifty shillings in pork, all at the country price. My will is also that Abigail my wife shall have the two old lower rooms & the cellar & the leanto for her to dwell in or to dispose of, all these during the time of her life. I do also give to my son-in-law Thomas Spencer, the elder, the sum of £15. I do also give unto Samuel Andrews & Elizabeth his wife the sum of £40, to be payd him after the decease of my wife his mother. My parcel of Land at Podunck & my household stuff to be to him for part of that legacy. I do also give to Sarah Spencer, to Hannah Spencer, to Mary Spencer, to Martha Spencer, the four daughters of Thomas Spencer the elder, the same of £10 to be equally divided amongst them, that is, to either of them 50 shillings, to be payd to them after my wive’s decease. I do also give to John Andrews 20s. I do also give to Thomas Andrews 20s. My will is that my debts & these legacies may be payd out of my moveable estate, that so much as may be of my housing & other Lands may be kept entire. I have desired Paul Peck sen. & George Graves to see this my will to be performed & I do hereby five to the said Paul Peck & George Graves the sum of forty shillings. I do hereby give the remaining part of my estate to Jarred Spencer, my grandchild, who is the son of Thomas Spencer the eldest. I do also make the sayd Jarred Spencer my Executor. My will also is that my wife Abigail should have the use of all my household stuff and to choose which 3 cows she will have. Witnesses: George Grave Thomas Olcott.¹

Nathaniel departed this life on Tuesday, 11 September 1674 in Hartford. The inventory of Nathaniel's estate was taken on Friday, 14 September 1674. It was taken by Paul Peck, Sr., George Graves & Caleb Stanley who
valued his estate at 282 pounds. His will was probated on 11 November 1674.