Will dated April 1, 1747, Probated Sept. 4, 1749.

In the name of God, Amen the first day of April in the year of our Lord 1747, I Joseph Hatch of Scituate in the county of Plimouth in New England, yeoman, being aged and under infirmity of body, but of sound mind and memory thanks be given to God. Therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die Do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, viz:

Imprimis. I give and bequeath to Mary, my well beloved wife, my negro man named Ben Tull and also one quarter part of my interest in a sloop I am now about building and also all my household good and moveable estate within doors and allso one half of my stock of cattle, horse and sheep and swine and moveable Estate without doors also I give to my said wife the use and improvements of my house that was Oldhams and also all my land lying on the Easterly side of the highway that goes by my new dwelling house and also one third part of my barn and also all my meadow and upland joyning to it that was said Oldhams lying by the North River to hold the said real estate during her whole time of her natural life, and the said personal estate forever.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Hannah Hatch, her heirs and assigns forever, the house and land and real estate the improvement of which I have given to my said wife as above expressed and also one quarter part of my interest in the sloop above said.

Item. I give unto my son, Benjamin Hatch, and to his heirs and assigns forever all the rest of my real and personal estate of what kind or wheresoever lying and being.

Lastly I Do hereby constitute and appoint my said son, Benjamin Hatch, and my cosen, Israel Hatch, to be joynt Executor of this my last will and Testement.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year within written. Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Joseph Hatch to be his last will and testament in the presence of us.

/s/ Joseph Hatch (seal)
Witnesses: David Lapham, Joseph Lapham, Jr. and Joseph Lapham.
 

Pli ye Sept 4, 1749, this will being exhibited for probate by the executors therein named, Israel renouncing ye executorship therein. David Lapham, Joseph Lapham, Jr. & Joseph Lapham made oath that they saw the said Joseph hatch ye testator sign, seal & deliver & heard him declare this instrument to be his last will and testament & that they in his presence subscribed as witnesses at the same time & that according to the best of their observation he then was of sound mind before me, Jon Cushing Judge of Probate.

Inventory, Vol 12:31-32.

Plym: To Messers Samuel hatch of Scituate and Tim Rogors & Elisha Philips both of Marshfield all in the County of Plymouth, yeomen, Greeting. You are hereby Impowered & directed to make a just and true appraisement of all ye estate which Joseph Hatch late of Scituate, yeoman, deceased dyed seized of & make your oaths as soon as you can. Given under my hand and seal of the court of Probate at Scituate ye 21 Day of August A.D. 1749. /s/ Jn Cushing Judge of Probate.
 

(Note, some of the values were difficult to read and may be incorrect)
 

/s/ Samuel Hatch, Timothy Rogers & Elisha Phillips.

Plym. Ye Sep. 4, 1749. Benj. A. Hatch the executor on the deceased's estate made oath that the within written Inventory contains all the Estate that he knows of. That when he shall know of more hel give it in the within appraisers being also under oath at ye same time. Before me Jn Cushing Judge of Probate.

Letters of Administration (note the legalese, the meaning is almost obscured in places in order to get in all the legal words so nothing would be missed. It sure would have been nice if in just one place they deleted where they were and inserted Joseph's death date.)

Province of Massachuseets Bay Plimouth by the Honorable John Cushing Esq Judge of the Probate of Wills and for granting letter of Administration on the property of persons deceased having goods, chattels, rights or credits in the County of Plimouth within the province afore said to all unto whom these presents shall come Greeting. Know ye that upon the day and date hereof before me at Plimouth in the County aforesaid the Will of Joseph Hatch late of Scituate in the county of Plimouth in New England yeoman deceased to these presence annexed was proved approved and allowed who having while he lived and at the time of his death goods, chattels, rights and credits in the County aforesaid and the probate of the said will and proved of Mr. Cushing administration of all and singular the goods, chattels, rights and credits of the said deceased and he will in any manor concerning is hereby committed unto his Son Benjamin Hatch. The other executor viz Israel Hatch his cousin having renounced the executorship. Executor in the same will named well and faithfully to execute the said will and to administer the estate of said deceased according thereunto and to make a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods chattels rights and credits of the said deceased and to exhibit the same unto the registry of the court of probate for the county aforesaid at or before the fourth day of December next ensuing and also to render a plain and true account of his said administration upon oath within twelve months next coming. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the said Court of Probate dated at Plimouth the fourth day of Sept. anngue domini 1749. /s/ Jon Cushing.