NOTICE: This information is provided freely on the Internet for personal use only. The data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit.

From Essex Co., Massachusetts, Probate Office is found the last will and testament of 
"Samuell EYRES" (ie - Samuel AYRES, Sr.) dated 13 Feb. 1696 and will proved 29th 
March 1697 (#1124). 


LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF SAMUELL EYRES:

"In the name of God Amen.  I Samuell Eyres of Ipswich being visited with
sickness and not knowing how providence may dispose of me being (blessed
be God) of perfect Memory and Disposing mind do therefore Constitute and
make this my last will and testament Commanding my soul to God in Christ
Jesus in hopes of a blessed resurrection and my bod y to a Decent
buriall.
     After my Debts and funerall charge being justly paid - I dispose of
that Estate which God has given me as follows - I give & bequeath unto
my son Samuell all my House & Lands viz my Homestead & five acres of
pasturing Land at Heartbreak Hill & three a cre Lott at Plumb Island and
all my flocks of sheep and cattle and the bed he shall Lyeth upon be it
always provided & understood that Samuell do maintain provide for his
Mother all things necessary both in sicknes s & health during the time
of her Naturall life.  Moreover I give unto my loving Wife the __?_ of
all the Household stuff during her Naturall Life and then my Will is
that shee bequeath it all unto my Daughter Mary except the two biggest
pewter platters which I give unto my grandchild Susanna Waite after the
Decease of her Grandmother - moreover I give unto my Daughter Mary two
sheep.  I have formerly given my son Joseph ye Land where his house
stands.  I therefore give him but five shillings money to be paid within
three Months of my Decease Lately.  I Constitute and appoint my son
Samuell sole Executor of this my last will & testament. 

Signed Sealed & published                In Witness whereof I have
in presence of                                   here unto left my hand &
Daniel Rogers                                   so all (sic) & thirteenth Day
Nathaniell Rust sen                          of February 1696
William Fellows                                 Samuell Eyres                                                               
             				    his name and seal"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A xerox copy of this will was sent to Gloria ODOM by distant cousin 
Thomas D. AYRES of CT in 1987.