Abigail Graves

     Abigail was born circa 1615 probably at County Kent, England. She was probably the daughter of Thomas Graves who immigrated from County Kent England in 1629 and in 1637 was one of the founders of Hartford.³ Abigail married William Andrews circa 1632 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.⁴ Abigail's husband, William, died before 8 August 1659 in Hartford, leaving her a widow. Abigail married 2nd Nathaniel Bearding circa 1670 in Hartford at the First Church. Abigail's husband, Nathaniel, died on 11 September 1674 in Hartford leaving her a widow. On her death bed, she made a nuncupative will on 19 March 1683 at Hartford.

Testimony of George Graves aged about 52 years, and Samuel Andrews, aged about 36 years, is that we were with Widdow Abigail Barding about 3 weeks before she dyed and she did before us declare that her Will was that after her death the sd. Samuel Andrews should have what was due her from Gerred Spencer, and that the sd. Samuel should pay her Debts & Funeral Charges, also that her daughter Hester Spencer should have all her other goods, excepting some few things she had given away before. Samuel Andrews accepted; only of the above written that he remembers not his gr. Mother’s words that he should pay her Debts and Funeral Charges, but he owneth that he will do it. Witnesses: George Grave and Samuel Andrews - Paul Peck sen., aged about 60 years, testifieth that a day or two before Widdow Barding dyed she tould him that her Will was that Samuel Andrews should have what was due her from Gerred Spencer, & that the rest of her Goods she gave to her daughter Hester Spencer, except some few small things she had given away before.

Abigail departed this life on Saturday, 20 March 1683 in Hartford. Her will was probated on 4 April 1683. The above nuncupative Will and the invntory was exhibited in Court on this date. The value of the estate was appraised at £19 10s.