WHEREAS, I Joshua Hatch of Leicester, in the County of Worcester considering the uncertainty of this mortal life do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in the manner and form following.

First, I order and direct my executor hereafter named to pay all my just debts and funeral charges.

I give and bequeath to my son, Joshua Hatch, my wearing apparel and that bed and bedding that was his mother's and it is my will that all the remainder of the household furniture which I had by my wife should be equally divided between my son Joshua, aforesaid, and my daughter Priscilla [Pisily, Pisoly, or possibly Pixty].

I do authorize and direct my executor to sell my land in Spencer [Worcester Co., MA] to make and execute a deed or deeds of as much land, as with my cattle and sheep, one chain saddle and bridle not hereafter given away, for the payment of my just debts and costs of settling my estate.

I give and bequeath to Ruth Reed, a single woman who has been my housekeeper ever since the decease of my wife, as a compensation for her service, all the use, improvement and income of my homestead farm dwelling house, barn and other buildings for and during the term of her natural life. Also, my farming tools, two cows, six sheep and swine, all the provisions that may be remaining on hand after the settlement of the Estate and also one bed and bedding with the remainder of the household furniture not before given away for her use and disposal with the liberty of cutting as much firewood as will be sufficient for one fire and no more except to repair building and fence and manage the farm in all respects according to the rules of good husbandry and after the decease of said Ruth, the use and income of the said homestead farm shall be equally divided between my son, Joshua, and my daughter, Priscilla, or to each of their heirs and to their heirs and assigns forever and all the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, goods and chattels of what name or nature soever that may be remaining after the payment of the debts and costs of settlement be paid, shall be equally divided between my son, Joshua, and daughter, Priscilla.

I do hereby revoke all former Wills by me made and appoint Peter Silvester of Leicester in the County aforesaid Executor of this my Last Will and Testament. /s/ Joshua Hatch.

In Witness whereof I the said Joshua Hatch have here unto set my hand and seal this Twenty third day of December in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and sixteen.

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Joshua Hatch above mentioned to be his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us, who at his request, and in his presence, have hereunto submitted our names as Witnesses to the same. /s/ William Silvester, Clayton? C. Silvester, and Peter Silvester.

Worcester :ss.

To all people to whom these presents shall come, Nathl Paine, Esq., Judge of the Probate of Wills & in the County of Worcester within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts sendeth Greetings.

Know ye that on the sixth day of June Anno Domini 1820 the instrument hereunto annexed [presumed] to be the last Will and Testament of Joshua Hatch late of Leicester in the County of Worcester, deceased, was presented for Probate by Peter Silvester the executor therein named, then present William Silvester, Clayton? R or C Silvester & Peter Silvester the Witnesses thereunto subscribed who made oath that they saw the said Testator sign and seal & heard him declare the said instrument to be his last Will and Testament & that they subscribed their names together as Witnesses to the execution thereof in the said Testator's presence and that he was (to the best of the deponents' judgment), of sound and disposing mind.

I do therefore prove, approve and allow the said instrument as the last Will & Testament of the above named dec'd and commit the Administration thereof in all matters the same concerning and of his Estate whereof he died seised and possessed in said Commonwealth unto Peter Silvester the before named Executor with and faithfully to execute the said Will and to administer the Estate of the said Deceased according thereto, who accepted said trust and has given Bond to exhibit an inventory of said Estate into the Probate office in said County within three months and to render an account (upon oath) of his proceedings when thereunto law fully require.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the day and year above written. /s/ Nathl Paine.

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