Jonathan Holcomb

     Jonathan was born on Wednesday, 15 February 1678/79 in Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut.¹ Jonathan married Mary Buell in 1700 in Simsbury, Hartford County, Connecticut.¹ Jonathan & Mary had children: Jonathan [11/25/1701-6/30/1737][m. 12/04/1729 Amy Case], son [ -10/22/1705], Elizabeth [1/14/1704-8/23/1727][m. 2/28/1724 Joseph Willcockson], Azariah [2/22/1708-1771][m. 6/25/1730 Hannah Loomis], Damaria [7/12/1713][m. William Gamaliel Ward], Jacob [4/14/1715-7/29/1737][m. 2/10/1737 Margaret Case] & Mary [7/10/1717-1/27/1802][m. 8/15/1739 Amos Case].² Jonathan's wife, Mary, died on 21 June 1720 in Simsbury, Hartford County, Connecticut, leaving him a widower.³ Jonathan made his will on 29 May 1759.

In the name of God Amen the 29th day Day of May Ano domi 1759 I Jonathan Holcomb of Simsbury in the County of Hartford and Colony of Connecticut being grown aged & having many bodily infirmities which I daily feel the burdon of and k it is appointed for all men once knowing it is appointed for all men once to die I do see cause to make this my last will and Testament and first of all I recommend my Soul into the hands of God who gave it hoping for Salvation through the merits of the Son Jesus Christ the only Savior of men and my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the direction of my Executors hereafter named with a fixed hope that at the General Resurrection at the last Day I Shall receive the same again by the Mighty power of God and as Touching such worldly Estate as herewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life after Just debts, sick bed & funeral expenses are paid I give & devise of the same in the following manner and form: Imprimis I give to my loving wife Mary the use & improvement of one third part of my house and land where and whatever during the term of her natural life and also one third part of my moveable Estate for her own forever - - Item having already by Deed of Conveyance given to my beloved grandchildren Jonathan Holcomb and Michael Holcomb and Ann Holcomb the Children & heirs of my ____and eldest Son Jonathan Holcomb now deceased the full of the portion I assign for them I now give and bequeath unto my beloved son Azariah Holcomb and to his heirs and assigns forever he paying all my just Debts and Legacies hereafter mentioned my dwelling House and Barn & homelot & orchard together with all my land thereto adjoining lying on Salmon Brook, on both sides brook and also my lot in the East Woods in Salmon brook Society near Thomas Barons End in partnership with Even Matson, and also I give unto him my said Son Azariah all my moveable Estate to be for him & his heirs forever - - Item I give unto my beloved Daughter Mary the wife o Amos Case the Sum of ten ponds money together with what I have already given her to be paid to her out of my Estate by my Executor within one year after my Decease - - Item I give unto my beloved Daughter Demariss Ward the Wife of Gamaliel Ward the Sum of twenty Shillings lawfull Money Together with what I have already given her to be paid to her within one year after my decease out of my Estate - - - Item I give and bequeath unto beloved Grandson Abner Holcomb all my Common or undivided land Lying in Symbury aforesaid for him and his heirs forever, and I make ordain & appoint my Said Son Azariah Holcomb my sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament, and I do hereby utterly Revock and disannul all and every other Will & Testament I have by any way or means made & Executors before named Confirming this & no other to be my Last Will & Testament in Witness whereof I have hereuntp Set my hand & Seal the Day and year above written – Signed Sealed published pronounced and Declared by the Sd. Jonathan Holcomb to be his last Will and Testament in presence of: John Orsen, Esther Orson Rosecitta Orsen -Jonathan Holcomb & Seal.⁴

Jonathan departed this life on Wednesday, 7 October 1761 in Granby. Simbury, Hartford County, Connecticut, at age 82 years, 7 months and 22 days.⁵ The inventory of Jonathan's estate was taken on Tuesday, 3 November 1761. It was taken by Nathaniel Holcomb, Peter Rice, Hos. Wilcox. His will was probated on 3 November 1761. The order was thus given to set out his widow's dowry.