The Last Will and Testament of Joseph Grover
Document Text
This last will and testament of Joseph Grover of Middletown in the county of Monmouth in the
Province of East New Jersey, being in his right senses and perfect memory has disposed of
his outward estate as follows
First, I give and bequeath all that tract of land and meadow with all the appurtenances that I
now dwell upon that lies on the Northside of a small run or brook commonly called and known
by the name of the Little Falls being a part of that first article of a patent bearing date the
thirteenth day of June one thousand six hundred and seventy and six, unto my son James unto
him and to his heirs and assigns forever.
And if it so happen that the child which my Wife now carries proves to be a son then I give and
bequeath all the remainder of the land and meadow with all the appurtenances that is specified
in the aforesaid patent. All the land and meadows on the Southside of the aforesaid run or
brook being the residence of the aforesaid first article of the aforesaid patent as also all that
two hundred acres of land specified in the second article of the aforesaid patent as Also all that
six acres of swamp or Meadow Specified In the fourth article of the abovesaid patent unto that
Son and unto him and unto his heirs forever but if It shall happen to prove to be a daughter
that then all the abovesaid land and Meadow with all and singular the privileges and
appurtenances there unto belonging to him and to his heirs and assigns forever as hereafter
follows Unto my son James as Above said.
Secondly I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Hannah the whole and soul command and
use of all the Aforesaid Land with the appurtenances and privileges, whatsoever until my Son
James be one And twenty years of age and when my son is at the abovesaid age then I give
and bequeath unto him half the said land at his whole and sole command and use with the Old
House or little room and no more during the natural life of his mother but the other half of said
land with the rest of the housing I give and bequeath unto my loving Wife during her natural
life,
but if it should happen that my said loving wife does or shall take another husband after my
decease That then the one half of said land with the old house or little room as aforesaid at or
before that very instant to return unto my son James or his assigns on guardian.
Thirdly, I give and bequeath unto my daughters all my whole purchase of the property which I
bought with John Throckmorton from Robert Turner, a part thereof being laid out unto me at
Crosswicks. I say again all the said property, both that which is laid and yet to lay out, I give
and bequeath unto my daughters unto them and their heirs and assigns forever and to be
equally divided between them quantity with quality. Fourthly I give and bequeath unto my son
James two cows and working steers of four years old and his Sows for to brood up swine, and
two horses, and a feather bed with furniture thereunto belonging and an axe and an hoe and a
plow share and all these above named particulars to be delivered unto him when he is one and
twenty Years of age by my executor or executors that shall be hereafter named. Fifthly, I give
and bequeath all the rest of my moveable goods and chattels unto my loving wife and for to be
at her dispossessing as she shall think nice or necessary and convenient Lastly, I do hereby
make my loving wife Hannah and her brother William Lawrence, Jr. for my whole sole and
absolute and lawful executors. To pay all my just debts and to receive all that’s justly due unto
me and for the acknowledgement of every of the above written articles to be my will and mind I
do here unto set my hand and fix my seal being the seventh day of December one thousand
six hundred eighty and eight.
1.
What does this will reveal about the status of women in the English colonies?
2.
Why does the sex of Joseph and Hannah’s unborn child change their inheritance?
3.
Why would Joseph favor his sons over his daughters in his will?