52 ANCESTORS IN 52 WEEKS 2015 WEEK 43: HENRY JEFTS OF BILLERICA, MA. PT2

Middlesex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1648-1871.Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. (From records supplied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives.)12519-2

Henry Jefts' will was written on 4March 1691/2, and filed in court eight years later on 17June 1700 in Charlestown, Ma. after Henry's death on 24May.


Henry is very specific in his will, mentioning his sons, sons-in -law and grandchildren, He also gifts his
two daughters Hannah (Jefts) Spaulding and Joanna (Jefts) Dutton with land, including instructions
on how it is to be administered:

Middlesex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1648-1871.Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. (From records supplied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives.)12519-3

"...I do give by will unto my two daughters hannah spallding & Johanah Dutton: a piece of upland lying
opon Mr Budges farme on the west side of Concord Roade by Capt Ralph Hill on the north
west side & a lot wch was Capt. Daniell Chumneys on the south east; the remaininder of that alott
ment on Mr Budge's farme all besides what I have given unto my son henry. Also a peice of upland on
the west of Concord River containing by estimation thirty eight acress & a halfebe it more or less joining
upon James Kidder this land. I do will the improvement there of unto my two daughters namely hanah
spaldiing & Joanah Dutton and to there children. & I do by will pro hibit any sale to be made of this
while the youngest of my grand children by these two daughters namely hanah spalding &
Joanah Dutton while the youngest of there children com to being fourtenes years of age & so capable of
choosing of there gardian then by then by this my will I do apoint this land to be sould if it may be and to an
nother & the produce thereof to be equally divided among them grand children
and my two daughters, my two daughters hanah spalding & Joanah Dutton to have an eaquall of share
with there children & if any of them dys before that time the produce above mentioned to be equally
shared among the surviveing"

There is also mention of his granddaughter Mary Dunkin, Joanna's daughter from her first marriage.
Joanna (Jefts) (Dunkin) Dutton and her daughter Mary Dunkin were killed by Indians in an attack on
Billerica on 1Aug 1691/2.

Henry apparently never rewrote the will to reflect their deaths.