First Husband of Elizabeth Hodgkins (Circa 1670)
William Palmer
PLYMOUTH COLONY WILLS AND INVENTORIES
On 2/12 Janry 1637/8, Francis Cooke was a member of the jury which
tried the case of John and Elizabeth (Hodgkins) (Palmer) Willis
against the executors of the estate of William Palmer, Sr. John Willis
was quite visible in the early records. Not a great deal is known
about William but he is with some frequency mentioned in early
records.
[Vol. 1, fol. 28] A true Coppy of the last Will & testament Willm
Palmer th elder proved before the Govnr and Assistants at a Court held
the fourth of December in the thirteenth yeare of the Raigne of our
Sovraigne Lord Charles by the grace of God of England Scotland ffrance
and Ireland King Defender of the fayth &c 1637
I William Palmer of Ducksborrow Nayler being ill in body but of pfect
memorie not knowing how nere I am to my death think good briefely to
settle my estate, yet hope if God spare life to set downe thinges more
perticulerly hereafter. In the meane tyme for the disposeing of my
outward estate this is my will & Testament ffirst of all I ordaine my
loveing frends mr Willm Bradford mr Edward Winslowe and mr Thomas
Prince my Executrs.
Next of all whereas I have marryed a yeong weoman who is deare unto me
I desire them to deale well wth her: but my desire is that my estate
consisting of lands houseing goods chattells &c may be sould and
turned into money, all but such of my mooveables as my Executrs
aforesaid shall thinke meete to give her for her present comfort:
next my estate being wholly sould as afore my desire is that my wife
may not have lesse then one third thereof. And if in case shee be wth
child Then that one other third of my estate be prserved and improved
by my Executrs for that child as myne heire.
And that if in case shee be not wth child Then I would have myne
Executrs as in conscience they are pswaded out of the remaynder of my
estate deale wth Rebecca my Grandchild and Moyses Rowly whom I love,
but not so as to put it into their father or mothers hands but prserve
it for them till they come to yeares of Discretion.
Next my Debts being payd I would have myne Executers to give somewhat
to Stephen Tracy and somewhat towards the meeting house at Plymouth,
also I would have yeong Rowly to be placed wth mr Partridge that hee
might be brought up in the feare of God, and to that end if his father
suffer it I give mr Partridg five pounds.
And if in case my sonne Henry or daughter Bridgitt be liveing if they
Demaund it I give them fourty shillings a peece if they be liveing
That this is my Deede witnes my hand & Seale the seaventh of Novembr
1637
Witnesses hereunto The marke of
Thomas Burnes Wm Palmer
William Basset
It was the will of the Testator that his wyfe should bee ruled by her
auncient mr Edward Winslow in her marriage if she looke to ptake in
any pt of this estate otherwise not Also that John Willis have fourty
shillings
Witnes
Thomas Burnes
William Basset
Thom Burnes sworne to this will the 4th Decembr 1637 at a Court of
Assistants.
Wm Basset deposed to this will the 5th march 1637
Vid. Crt orders
p. 144
An exact Inventory of all the mooveablegoods of Willm Palmr thelder
taken the XIIIth of Novembr 1637 by Jonathan Brewster Edmond Chaundler
Willia Basset & John Willis
