Bermuda

BALL, RICHARD
13 April 1775

In the name of God Amen, I Richard Ball of the Town of Saint George within these Islands of Bermuda Mariner, being bound on a voyage to Sea and knowing the uncertainty of this mortal life, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following.

I will that all my just Debts be first paid and satisfied. I give and bequeath unto my living wife Mary Ball for and during the sum of her natural life, the full free and entire use and occupation of all my Estate both Real and personal, wheresoever the same may be found, and at her death, and not before, I give and devise all that my dwelling house and all my personal Estate that may be remaining at her decease in the manner herein and hereafter directed, that is to say, I give devise and bequeath unto Thomas Dillin, son of my Aunt Alice Dillin, during his natural life, my said dwelling house, together with the lot of ground whereon the same standeth, and also one entire half part of what personal Estate shall remain at the death of my said wife, and this other half part of my personal Estate, I give and bequeath to and equally among John Roberts, now an infant, about six years old, son of Mr. Nathl. Roberts of the Town of St George, and Mary Winslow daughter of Joseph & Isabella Winslow at present residing at Rhode Island, in North America , and Daniel Gibbons, son of Daniel Gibbons of Hamilton Tribe blacksmith, share and share alike. I also give devise and bequeath at the Death of the said Thomas Dillin, my said dwelling house, to them the said John Roberts, Mary Winslow, & Daniel Gibbons, share and share alike, a tenants in common and not as joint Tenants to them there and each of their respective heirs and assigns forever. Always provided,,, and it is my absolute will, direction and intention, that if my said wife Mary Ball shall be now with child, that the said child shall have of my said Estate, notwithstanding and utterly regardless of any bequest, devised or any matter or thing herein or hereby in this my Will contained or heretofore expressed, two thirds parts of all my whole Estate both real and personal, to his or her heirs and assigns forever; and my said wife Mary Ball the other third part thereof to her heirs and assigns for ever, but in case the child should die before it comes of age or marry’s, then I again direct my Estate to be subject to, distributed and divided agreeable to the former part of this my Will, in the same manner as if the said child, had never been begotten or born.

Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my Friends Nathaniel Roberts and John Godard Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I the said Richard Ball the Testator, have hereunto set my hand and Seal this thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand seven Hundred and seventy five.

Signed, Sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said Richard Ball, the Testator, as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of
Alexander White
John Tucker John Tuill

By his Excellence George James Bruce Esq. Governor and Ordinary of these Islands.

From Bermuda Archives (W12a:194)