* William Dunsmoor 1698 - 1782
William Dunsmoor was born probably in the Kilrea townlands of Northern Ireland in 1698 and died in Boylston, Worcester County, Massachusetts, November 27, l782 (84y), testate(see Will ante vide.) He was most likely named after King William who, sensitive to Protestant issues, took rule in Northern Ireland in 1691. He is buried with Jane Smith and Ruth Mitchell, his second and third wives, in the Old Burial Ground in Boylston, which is directly behind the former first meeting house, at the corner of Route 70 and School Street in front of John Hastings' large white Monument (step niece through Hugh, Polly's Husband). His son Oliver and a child named John who died 4 April 1781 are also reported to buried there (Boylston Vital Records) but there are no headstones.
William married three times. He married first, Jane Mores, of Concord, where they, and other followers of John Moorhead, settled in Stow, Mass. There their daughter Agnes was born. Jane must have died either in childbirth or soon thereafter, because William married second, Jane Smith, in Boston, by Rev. Samuel Mather April 22, 1736, (Early Boston Marriages, City Document 150, 1736, pg. 196) and thirdly Ruth Mitchell Moor (Sterling):
1. Jane Mores Concord, Mass. November 28, 1733.
Vital Records of Concord (page 131) state that both Jane and William were from Concord. Married by Justice Flint, November 28,1733.
2. Jane Smith Lancaster, Mass. April 22, 1736
Born 1715, died 15 October 1765 (50y), in Boylston, Mass and is buried in Boylston's Old Burial grounds to the right of William Dunsmoor. The children of Jane Smith make up the majority of William's offspring, only Agnes was born and lived to bear children from Mores, Ruth Mitchell's son (William) died young. Married to William in Boston by Samuel Mather, (son of Cotton Mather) Harvard DD 1723, Congregational minister of the New Brick or Second Church until 1744. Her last known child was Olive Dunsmoor.
Photo #145 Boylston Historical Society.
3. Ruth Mitchell Moor Shirley, Mass. November 22,1766
Former wife of Hugh Moor, from Ireland who is buried in Shirley Center, Mass Cemetery, alone. He died 5-28-1758 44y. He is buried near his father John, d. 8 May, 1758 (96y) and his mother Agnes who d. 23 July 1757 (89y). Hugh was b. 1714 and married Ruth in Lunenburg, 28 Dec. 1743. He died while saving his son John from a tree he felled, one month after his own father's death. Ruth died 4 April 1808 (84y) is buried to right of William, Boylston Old Burial Gourds, Photo # 147 BHS Ruth married William second, William @ 62y, intention filed 22 Nov. 1766(Nourse p.40) Born. 1724 Died. April 4, 1808 (84y).
Ruth and Hugh had four children:
* Ruth b. 22 December 1744 Lunenburg m. Nathan Smith of Shirley
* Mary b. Shirley m. Thomas Goss, son William baptized in Shirley Feb. 1788
* Agnes b. Shirley m. Capt. Sylvanus Smith of Shirley
* Hugh b. 1753 in Shirley
m1. Sarah Holland of Shrewsbury int. 18 Feb. 1775
m2. Widow Lucy Houghton, Hugh died in Boylston, 26 September1833.(79y) Hugh appears to have been close to William as his name appears in William's will and other documents. William's children quit claimed William's estate to Hugh
Children
1. Sarah b. 19 September 1775
2. Dolly b. 17 March 1777 m. Ephraim Gerry/Lancaster 28 Jan. 1800
3. Lucy b. 21 January 1779 m. Amaziah Ball, 30 April 1798
4. Olive b. 22 April 1781
5. Sophia b. 21 June 1783
6. William Holland b. 5 July 1785
m1. Clara Pearson, 8 October 1818
m2. Abigail M Lamson, 27 Nov. 1834. Issue/BVR
7.Polly b. 4 Nov. 1789 m. John Hastings, 16 Nov. 1813
8. Hugh b. 12 Dec. 1791 m. Elsa Griffin, 28 January 1813
A Brief Stay in Stow
A number of the congregation, of Rev. John Moorhead, settled in Stow where William and Jane Mores (of Concord are listed in the vital records of Stow as having a daughter Agnes, June 28, 1735. His stay in Stow was short as indicated by land records. Williamremarried in Boston (Boston being the only source of Presbyterian Churches) in 1736 to Jane Smith. As the bearer of almost all of William's offspring, little if anything, is known about Jane Smith. They probably met in Lancaster.
Thus the William of Stow is identical to the William of Lancaster, for which an entry in the church records in the latter town cites is found, after the baptism of son, Oliver, in 1740, "his parents o.c. (Owned the convenant) at Stow."(Nourse) This would have been Jane Smith, as Mores is presumed to have died by 1735.
William of Lancaster & Sterling
William lived in Lancaster (he was recognized as a Lancaster resident in a 1739 land deal) in the Chocksett Parish, formed 1742 as Congregational, with records from 1744 and later became Unitarian. It was in however, "that part of Lancaster that become the town of Sterling, 25 April 1781." The vital records of Sterling were burned before 1795. Sterling bordered on Shrewsbury and William was admitted to full communion with the North Parish Shrewsbury Church , 9 April 1766, his son by Jane Smith(NEHGR vol. --p) was baptized there in 14 April 1769. This church was located in the north parish and became the First Congregationalist Church of Boylston. He may have sojourned to Shrewsbury while living in Lancaster (the part that became Sterling in 1781) and attended Church there while living in Sterling until his death in 1782/83. The Boylston Congregationalist Church had no common burial grounds, but has an old Burial Ground located behind the former First Meeting house.
William appears in the land records and the following notes describes his land transactions:
7 Dec. 1737, John Gales, with consent of wife, Elizabeth, sold to William Dunsmoor of Stow, land in Suncook, Lot #57, on the Merrimack River, NH: wit: John Dunsmoor and Ebenezer Sprague. William Dunsmoor of Lancaster, husbandman, sold the same land to Abraham Whittaker of Suncook, 26 Sept. 1739. (Middlesex Deeds. 40:334.335.)
13 Jan. 1742, Daniel Taylor, from Townsend, gentleman, sold William "Dinsmoor" of Lancaster, yeoman, land in Townsend; wit: Sarah and Phenihas Hemenway. ( ibid., 61:109.)
13 December 1749, Benjamin Prescott, of Salem, Clerk(Minister), sold William "Densmore" of Lancaster, husbandman, for L 1200 o.t.(depreciated currency) land in Lancaster. (Worcester Deeds, 39;465)
6 Dec. 1757 Lancaster, Mass. " a certain track or parcel of upland and intervale lying in the south westerly part of Lancaster, a forest, containing one hundred and twenty acres, bounded as follows: viz. beginning at a pine tree-mark for the southline-which stands near the pine hills on the easterly side of the Intervale and thence runs north 18 deg. east 60 poles( 1 pole = 1 rod=16 1/2 feet) to a white oak which is the southerly corner of the Intervale which was formerly sold to Joseph Sawyer, deceased and from thence on the land sold to said Sawyer until it crosses the river than running westerly so as to include the Intervale and swamp until it comes to a white oak mark standing on the north westerly part of the Intervale and from thence running west 20 degree north to another white oak standing at the distance of about 111 poles leaving the land laid out to Joseph Sawyer, late of Lancaster deceased, to the north laid line to run so far westerly until turning at an angle and running southerly to the south line of the town, it will include a quantity of one hundred and twenty acres leaving my own land on the west and the town line on the south. (This deed could be either for Dr. William Esq or William Yeoman)
16 April 1766, William Dunsmoor of Lancaster, yeoman, conveyed to his loved son, John Dunsmoor of same, certain land there which was to be his full portion of the estate. (ibid., 56:49)
18 May 1769, John Dunsmoor of Lancaster, yeoman, sold to Joseph Dunsmoor of same, land there which was given to the said John by "Father" William Dunsmoor; Sarah Dunsmoor wife of John (ibid. 74:25)
After his death, this deed was passed by his heirs:
20 Jan 1783. Oliver Dunsmoor, Joseph Dunsmoor with Ruth his wife, Manasseh Bixby and Elizabeth his wife, all of "Gilford," Vt., yeoman John Dunsmoor and Sarah his wife, "Joseph Sawyer and Agnes his wife, Peter Brown and Olive his wife, all of Shrewsbury, Mass., with Stephen Hayward and Ruth, his wife, of Templeton Mass., quit claim to Hugh Moor, of Shrewsbury, all their rights to the estate of the late William Dunsmoor, late of Shrewsbury, deceased. (ibid. 88:249.)
William of Shrewsbury & Boylston.
On April 9, 1766, William was admitted to full communion North Parish of the Shrewsbury First Church (Church Records/Shrewsbury Vol. 77 P28 NEGHD). The Parish of Shrewsbury was formed Dec. 17, 1742, Rev. Ebenezer Morse AB Harvard 1737 1st pastor, became the First Congregational Church of Boylston in 1783.(See the History of Boylston Congregationalist Church for background on Morse) Part of Shrewsbury was established as Boylston, March 1, 1786.(Massachusetts Town Records). From examining maps of this period we think that William lived in the Prescott intervale area at the fork the Nashua River, at Scar Bridge Road Bridge now flooded by the Waschusett Reservoir.
On January 2, 1775, during an unusually mild winter, William and Deacon Levi Moore were Members of a Special Committee formed to receive subscriptions to supply food to the starving Bostonians. These patriots sent 53 bushels of rye and corn and received a letter from John Avery of the Committee of Donations in Boston thanking them for the "distressed inhabitants of this poor devoted town who are groaning under the rod of despotism."
He is buried in Boylston's Old Burial Grounds which is directly behind the site of the First meeting House 1743-1791, Photo #146 BHS
William's Headstone reads
"In Memory of Mr William Dunsmoor who departed this life November 27, 1782 in ye 84th year of his life"
Ruth Mitchell Moor Dunsmoor's Headstone reads;
"In Memory of Ruth Dunsmoor who died April 4, 1808 Age 84 Yrs."
Both stones are in similar style as Dr. John Dunsmoor of Lancaster although not as elaborate. The printed index to the Worcester Probate, Series A. gives William's residence as Shrewsbury, but this has been corrected to read Sterling in the copy of at the Registry of Probate. His will calls him of Sterling but all the papers in the estate gives his residence as Shrewsbury. In the end he lived in Boylston. His will on file Worcester Mass. Probate A18032.
Estate of William Dunsmoor of Sterling, Yeoman, will dated 9 Feb. 1782 and filed 4 Feb. 1783. He names his wife, Ruth and her son "Hew. moor"; sons Oliver, John and Joseph; daughter "Agnus" Sawyer; heirs of daughter Marey Craford; daughter "Elisabeth" Bixby, Ruth Haward and Olive Brown; servant boy "Almer" Goodenow; executors to be Dr. William Dunsmoor Esq. and Major Ezra Beaman; signs as Wm "Dinsmoor"; witnessed by Doct Wm Dunsmoor(nephew), Robt Andrews and Hannah Dunsmoor(Dr. Wm. Dunsmoor's wife). Surname of the first and third Witness clearly read as "Dunsmoor."
Citation to the heirs, 3 Dec. 1782. The will was disallowed as the first witness, Dr. William Dunsmoor, Esq., testified that he had been physician to the deceased and his family had never been paid and had hoped for a settlement from the estate; the third witness, Hannah, his wife, had also an interest in the estate; so the Judge declared that these two witnesses were not qualified and declared the estate intestate.
Bond of 6 Mar. 1783, names widow Ruth Dunsmoor of Shrewsbury; warrant for appraisal, 6 Mar. 1783; inventory, 1 May 1783, total at some 721 pounds; administrator's account, 6 Apr. 1784 (Worcester Probate, A18032).
In 1774 William and others also join with the North Precinct(Boylston) for religious purposes, all while remaining attached to Lancaster for Municipal purposes. (BHS records)
On 25 April, 1774 Shrewsbury North Precinct voted to receive William Dunsmoor et al with their land from the first precinct in Lancaster. BHS
On 23 June 1780, John & William Dunsmoor, Aaron Sawyer et al, some of who resided within the limits of Lancaster or had land there, petitioned to be set off from that townland. This was Confirmed by act of the General Court. BHS
William Dunsmoor was a Veteran of the Revolution and served with Beamans 1777 Company.
Children
Jane Mores'
1. Agnes, b. 28 June 1735, Stow, Mass. Died. in Sterling 1 Sept. 1780 m & int. 1 July 1761
Lancaster; m. there 20 Aug. 1761, Joseph Sawyer. He was baptized in Lancaster 4 June 1738, died in Sterling 1 Sept. 1786 (49y). They were of Shrewsbury, Mass in 1783. Agnes through marriage married into one of Boylston's prestigious families, the Sawyers. Her husband Joseph Sawyer III( #217 in Weis' founding families of Lancaster, Lancaster Public Library was also related to the Prescotts the founding family of Lancaster. Joseph's father, Joseph Jr. b ~1705, was the second son of five children of Joseph and Sarah (Beaman) Sawyer, married Tabitha Prescott, (daughter of John, 3rd. and Dorothy Howe Prescott (she married second 1743 Silas Brigham)). He was baptized in Lancaster, 8 Oct. 1710 1731, Tabitha baptized at Lancaster 8 Oct. 1710. They owned the covenant of the First Church in Lancaster 5 August 1733. In 1753 Joseph III received 22 1/2 acres of his fathers land, the "mansion house" and an old log cabin. By 1762 he had build a new home after disposing of the manse & cabin which is located o in the 1856 map under the Name Micah Hower and the 1870 map under that of James E Ball. Thus was the Sawyer name established along with Sawyer's Mill in Boylston.
Children
* Joseph b. 6 June 1762
* Amerian/son b. 14 Oct 1765
* William b. 4 Feb. 1768
* Jabez/son b. 13 Oct 1770 bapt. 11 Nov. 1770
* Parsis/dau b. 1 May 1773
* John b. 15 March 1779
Jane Smith
2. Mary, b. ~1738, d. by 9 Feb. 1782; m. Lancaster, 26 Feb. 1758, Shrewsbury, William Crawford, Selectman in 1796 Boylston, Mass.
* John, died 23 July 1760 (1Y10m7d) Boylston
* et. al.?
3. Oliver, b.23 January 1739-40, Lancaster, bapt. there 23 Jan 1739-40 1st Church., res. 1783 Guilford
Vt. no wife then cited. He served in 1758 as "Dinsmore" from Lancaster, father or master, William "Dinsmore" and again in 1759 under Capt. Asa Whitcomb. At the time of the Alarm he lived in the westerly section of Boylston in what is now part of the Waschusett Reservoir(see 1856 Map "Mrs. A. Moore"). By 1783 he had moved to Guilford, Vermont. He was 36 when he marched with the Minutemen. He is not listed in SSAR(Volume V, page 67) as having answered the Alarm of 1775.
Oliver appears later in Guilford, VT where he bought and sold land. He is listed on the Census of 1790 and 1800, but not listed in the 1810 census. It appears that Oliver was on his own. Yet, he had land deals that were dated 1800. From 1783 to 1789 all the recorded land transactions were sales. It appears he was selling off his land in preparation for a move back to the Lancaster, Boylston area.
He is said to be buried in the Old Burial Ground in Boylston Center, but there is no stone for his grave
11 May 1771 he bought the land of Samuel Bixby, of Guilford at that time.
Book 2, page 246-1783-Ephraim Bixby to Oliver Dinsmore, both of Guilford, Cumberland County and State of New York as Vermont was then called. For 50 pounds. 1 March 1783 all of Lot no. 82 except 50 acres sold to Elihu Root, also two full right of undivided land, purchased one right of Deacon Thomas Cutler and the other Right of Capt. Lovell Bullock.
Book 4 Page 231-Lovell Bullock to Oliver Dinsmore part of Lot No. 95 or 25 acres-9 pounds. Dated May 6, 1776, not signed until August 1791 and recorded Feb. 18 1800.
Book 1 Page 123- Deed from Oliver Dinsmore to Peter Briggs, both of Guilford. North part of
Lot 138, or 65 acres for 110 pounds. April 1, 1783
The following transaction is interesting in that it is the first that mentions the use of American Dollars
Book 1 Page 231- Oliver Dinsmore to Elihu Root for 500 Silver Dollars (first mention of dollars), 50 Acres south end of lot 82, Jan 2, 1786
Book 2, Page 162- Oliver Dinsmore to Oliver Weld for 16 pounds- Rights which I bought of Ephraim Bixby. June 12, 1788-2
Book 2, Page 210-Oliver Dinsmore to Oliver Bixby for 100 pounds. Part of Lot 82, 50 acres off the north end of Lot No. 82, also 26 acres taken off the northeast corner of Lot No. 95.-April 10, 1789
(Town Clerk Office/Guilford, Vt. Oct 12, l957)
4. John, b. 17 Sept. 1742, Lancaster, bapt. there 26 Dec 1742, 1st Church., d. 4 Aug. 1811, perhaps Vt., where he moved to Grafton after 1783; he was of Shrewsbury, 20 Jan. 1783. He m. int. 13 Sept. 1766 Lancaster (now Sterling), Sarah Winn, who was b. 14 September 1746. Owned the Convenant at Shrewsbury 4 October 1767, she applied for a pension (#180025-see below) based on John's service in the Revolution, aged 90, res. West Boylston, Mass., and died there 2 March 1837. John owned the covenant in Shrewsbury Church, 30 Nov. 1767 and some of his children were baptized there. Five of his children are recorded in Shrewsbury Vital Records, 1767-1776. His will is on file Worcester Probate A18016.
Children
* Sarah b. 9-1-1767 d. May 13, 1817 m. Jason Glazier 9 Oct. 1790
* Silvanus b. 7-5-1769 d. Oct 21, 1831 m. Jenny d.?
children
1. Sylvanus b. 3 May 1796
2. Lavinah b. 15 Aug. 1797
3. Linus b. 4 Aug. 1799
4. Mary b. 18 June 1802
* Reuben b. 3-9-1771 bapt. 23 March '71, m. Polly Goodale 13 March 1800
* Phoebe b. 3-9-1773 d. February 14, 1805, m. Elijah Ball 25 Oct. 1792
* Betty b. 12-20-1776 m. Josiah Hadley 27 May 1800
* Silas b. 2-16, 1779 m. Polly Lovell 6 May 1802
* Prudy b. 7-1, 1782 m. Ephraim Headley 13 June 1799
* Eunice b. 8-29, 1786 m. John Prescott 30 May 1805
* Lamar b. 6 ---1784 d. Oct. 7. 1786
John also served in the French Wars, viz: "John Dunsmoor" served from Lancaster, 14 April 1759, aged 16, father or master, William Dunsmoor as John Dunsmoor and of Lancaster he was under Ruggles 1759; as Dunsmoor, he served under same that year; as Dinsmore he was of same and under Ruggles that year; as Dinsmoor same year regt. (Mass. Archives, 97:373.190.223.234.) May have been the John Densmore certified under Capt. J. Butterfield, Middlesex Co. in 1763. (ibid., 94:186.)
Notes from Sarah Winn's Pension application pension W # 180025
10 Jan. 1837, Sarah Dunsmoor of West Boylston, Worcester County, Mass., aged 90, said she married John Dunsmoor at Sterling, then Lancaster, when she was 21 and said John died in 1811. Signs by mark.
12 Jan 1837, John Prescott of West Boylston, 51, states that his wife was the youngest daughter of John and Sarah Dunsmoor, that Sarah has lived with him for 17 year and that her husband served in the Revolution. Signs.
Same Date: Oliver Glazier, same town, states that he knew this soldier, who served in the Continental army, etc. Signs.
Same Date, John Winn, same town, states that he served with John Dunsmoor
5. Elizabeth b. 7-1744, Lancaster, bapt. 6 Jan. 45, Chocksett Church, there d. infant. (NEHGR Vol. 77 p. 20 gives date as March 31, 1743)
6. Elizabeth, b. 1745, Shrewsbury, of Guilford in 1783; m. 12 Nov. 1765 Lancaster Manasseh Bixby of Shrewsbury, bapt. there, 3 March 1745. He and his wife owned the covenant there, 19 Nov. 1766. They are both listed on the Census of 1772 with Joseph and Molly. He died 12 Dec. 1828, age 83. Elizabeth and Manasseh and members of their family are buried in Guilford in the Blanchard (Old North) cemetery along with two generations of Bixbys. He served as Rev. Soldier, Capt. Stowell's Co. 1777-3rd Corporal
Children
* John` b. 4 Jan 1766
* Olive b. 2 April 1769 d.y? not on 1772 Census
* Molly b. 3 Aug. 1772 ` m. Joseph,
* Lucy` b. 6 May 1775
* Joseph b. 1 Jan 1766
* Oliver b. 15 April 1778
* Thaddeus b. 15 Nov. 1780 m. Hannah, ~1789 owned a machinery business in 1816.
Children
1. Thaddeus b. 15 May 1799 d. 1814
2. Mannasah III b. 14 April 1801 m. Abigail Cobb 18 March 1816
3. Leafy b. 25 Jan 1803
4. Zenus b. 21 March 1805
5. Elizabeth b. 9 Oct. 1812 d. 12 July 1876 63y
6. Cleveland b. 15 Oct. 1814
7. Infant b. 14 June 1816
8. Samuel b. 27 Sept 1817
9. Henry b. 24 Sept. 1819
7. Joseph (Sr.), b. 5 July 1747, Lancaster, bapt. 15 Aug. 1747, Chocksett Church,
Owned the convenant at Shrewsbury, March 23, 1771, living 1783, Guilford, Vt.
m. 16 Nov. 1769, Lancaster, Ruth Newton. See ante vide for complete family bio..
Children
* Annas (Annise) b. 11-3-1770 Lancaster, bapt. March 23 1771 Shrewsbury-
* Olive b. 1771 bapt. July 5 1772 (Shrewsbury Church) d.y.
* Vina b. 23 Feb. 1779, Married 1 Nov. 1795 Adonjah Rice, Guilford, Vt.
Children
1. Clark b. 13 Nov. 1797
2. Randall Dinsmore b. 5 June 1800
3. Sally b. 2 March 1802
4. Leife L b. 20 March 1804
5. Amanda b. 10 June 1806 d. 8 March 1807
6. Joshua Lyndi b. 2 April 1808
7. Annis L b. 23 May 1810 d. March 1812
* Joseph (Jr.) b. April 1777 d. 14 Dec 1855 m. Margaret Griffin, 11-24-1798Fairfield VT.
Complete Bio. post vide.
Children:
1. Daniel, b. 1779
2. Lucinda b. 1802,
3. Lester b. 4-25-1807
4. Betsey b. 1912,
5. Enos, b 1818,
6. Lepha b. 1910,
7. Benj. Lewis b. 1804
8. Ruth bapt. 2 Sept. 1750, Chocksett Church, Lancaster, res. 1783, Templeton, Mass.,
m. 6 March 1771, Lancaster, Stephen Hayward.
9. William bapt. 30 Sept. 1753, Shrewsbury, d.y.
10. Olive b. May 15, 1757, bapt. July 3, 1757, m. Peter Brown (Shrewsbury) int. 9-14-1781
m. 24 Oct. 1781. lived in Lunenburg, Mass.
By Ruth Mitchell
11. William b. 11 March 1769, Lancaster, bapt 4 April 1769, Shrewsbury,. d. ante 9 Feb. 1782 as not named in fathers will, I believe William the one named in the baptism of 1766 at the Shrewsbury Church.
12. John b. 1781, d.y buried in Boylston Old Burial Ground in an unmarked grave (Boylston Vital Records)
William's last will and testament is an interesting insight into the legal process circa 1784, his family relations and what a man who lived until the age 84 would acquire and dispose of during his life.
I include it here in its entirety.
William Dunsmoor's Will
In the name of God, Amen, Sterling, February the fourth, 1782, I William Dunsmore(sic) of said Sterling in the County of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, in New England, Yeoman, being of Perfect Mind and Memory and calling to mind the Mortality of Body, knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain that this is my last will and testament, and that is to say first and lastly I give and commend my soul to the Lord God who gave it and my body I commit to the Earth to be decently buried with Christian Burial at the decision of my Executors hereinafter named. Touching such worldly goods as I have or it has pleased God to bless me with in the world, hereby---------------and making void all former will and testaments and, I give and Devise and Dispose of the same in the following manner and form, I will all my just debts and funeral charges paid out of my estate by my executor as soon as may be after my death. I give and Bequeath to my well beloved wife Ruth Dunsmore and the improvement of all my Real Estate and her son Hugh Moor, two full shares in my Estate (Husbandry tools, household furniture), will all my live stock after my just debts are paid for and During the time of five years after my death. I further give my well beloved wife, one hundred pounds, also one feather bed with all the Proper furniture with one Cow and sidesaddle and warming pan, together will all that she brought with her, furthermore six good chairs.
Item-to my well beloved son Oliver Dunsmore all my wearing apparel and a Double share of what my Estate shall sell for to be paid him in money after the Estate is sold.
Item-to my beloved son Joseph Dunsmore, five shilling and with I have heretofore given him.
Item- to my well beloved Daughter Mary Crawford's heirs one share to be equally divided between them.
Item-to my well beloved daughter Elizabeth Bixby, half of a single share.
Item-to my well beloved daughter Olive Brown, one full share of my Estate together will six pewter plates, one pewter picture and one iron Gill which shall hold 4 pails full.
Item-to my servant boy Almer Goodnow, three pounds more that I was obliged to give him on condition he stay till he is of age. Wherefore all my personal estate, not heretofore given away, shall equally divided between Oliver and John Dunsmore, Ruth Haywood and Olive Brown. Furthermore I do hereby commit and appoint William Dunsmore Esq. and Major Ezra Beaman, both in the County of Worcester, my Lawful Executors and the aforesaid Dunsmore and Beaman I do hereby fully empower to Execute this my last Will and Testament.
Signed, sealed and pronounced in presence of us.
Witness
William Dunsmore, Esq.
Robert Andrews Jr. In his hand, William Dunsmore
Hannah Dunsmore
Worcester, February 4, 1783. This instrument here to annexed proportion of the last will and testament of William Dunsmore of Sterling in the county of Worcester, Yeomen, was presented by William Dunsmore, Esq. and Major Ezra Beaman, the administrators named for Probate. Robert Andrews Jr. one of the subscribing witnesses to said Instrument present, makes Oath that he saw the said testator sign, seal and heard him publish and pronounce the said Instrument to be his last will and testament. Objections being made by Levi Lincoln, Esq. Attorney at Law, viz. a number of the heirs of Said William Dunsmore des'd against William Dunsmore, one of the subscribing witnesses on account of his being appointed an Executor and or have debts against the Estate and intends to support the said will, and appearing from the said William Dunsmore, his own computation that he had many years administered to the family of the said William Dunsmore as a physician and that amounts agreed upon between them the said William Dunsmore Esq. expected by him as a Balance due to him from the said Estate, His thins competent that said William Dunsmore Esq. is not a competent witness and can not -----be admitted to his Oath and Witness to said Instrument and also that Hannah Dunsmore, another subscribing tester has an interest in the Estate, therefore is not a proper witness and the said William Dunsmore will be judged intestate.
In testimony there of I have set my hand and seal of office this fourth day of February AD 1783
Worcester, April 6 1784, I personally approve Hugh Moor administrator as of above and make solemn oath to the truth of the above accounts and produce vouchers for the payments therein contained, I allow th.usly whereby it appears he hath in hands a Balance the sum of L124 Personal Estate which--------him to dispose of and payout in the manner following, viz. That he pay to Ruth Dunsmore, widow of the deceased, one third portion of the said sum being L 41-6-8 as her right of dower in said personal estate, that he pay to Oliver Dunsmore the oldest son of the said Deceased, the sum of L 18-4-5 for his double share in said Estate, and that he pay to the to the children viz: to Anges Sawyer, wife of Joseph Sawyer, to John Dunsmore, to Elizabeth Bixby, wife of Manassah Bixby, to Joseph Dunsmore, to Ruth Haywood, wife of Stephen Haywood, to Olive Brown wife of Peter Brown, the sum of L 9-2-2-2 to each for their single share in said Estate and like sum of L9-2-2-2 to the heirs of Mary Crawford, late wife of William Crawford, divided said payments to be made to them thru their guardians or Legal Representatives and upon so doing he be discharged.
Joseph Dorr, Judge Probate
Entered from the Original
Joseph Wheeler, Clerk
Worcester, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
To Mrs. Ezra Beaman, Ephraim Beaman and Robert Andrews Jr. all of Shrewsbury in the County aforesaid, gent: you are hereby appointed and empowered on Oath to take an inventory of and according to your best skill and Judgment freely and justly to appraze at the present true value thereof in Lawfull money of this Commonwealth all the Estate Whereof William Dunsmore, late of Shrewsbury did possessed of in the aforesaid County and you are to make Estimate of this warrant, with your Doings there to unto the Probate Court in the same County as soon as conveniently said Estate will be shown you by Ruth Dunsmore widow.
Give unto my hand this sixth day of March AD 1783
Joseph Dorr, Judge Probate
By order of honorable judge,
Joseph Whichie, Rep.
On March 6 1783, Personally appeared Ezra Beaman, Esq. one of the within named appraisers and made solemn oath to the faithful performance of the within testaments.
Joseph Whichie, Judge Probate
Worcester, Sept 28, 1783, Personally appeared the within named Ephraim Braman and Robert Andrews Jr. to make solemn oath to the faithful performance of the within trust.
Joseph Dorr, Judge Probate
To the Honorable Joseph Dorr, Esq. Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester in obedience to the Commission directed to us the subscribers for appraising the Estate of William Dunsmore, late of Shrewsbury
District
.
We have within said service as following: pounds-shellings-pence
In Cash L 4:15/4 one note signed by Cyrus Houghton with Interest 8-11-4
One note signed Jonas Free with interest 11-4-0
One note signed Ephaim Rice for Corn 0-3-6
Book debts from Oliver Sawyer 0-4-10
Apparel-best coat, jacket, britches 0-2-5
Claret coat & Black Jacket 0-0-18
Blue great coat 30/' gray Loose coat 18 0-2-8
Hat and pr. shoes-cotton shirt-vest 0-0-11
Five woolen shirts 3/ 2 pair stockings an old coat 0-0-21
Best Bed and furniture 8-2-0
Second bed and furniture 5-8-0
Three pair linen sheets 16/each 5-0-0
New Sheets and old ones 0-11-0
9 pillow cases 13/6 three table cloths 1-5-6
6 towels 5/old 0-8-0
3 pewter platters at 9/each 1-7-0
4 platters 18/six other platters 8 1-6-0
9 waist of old pewter 12/5 plates 0-19-0
Warming pan 18/ lanterns 3/ 1-1-0
Iron Pot, glass bottle, earthen ware 0-3-0
Frying pan 7/ two pots, stove, iron kittery 0-13-
Brass Kettle 3 3 gal 1-16-8
Cheese tub/pail 0-10-
Old tub, side and four trays 0-5-0
footwheel and clock 0-7-4
Six chairs 26/ old chairs 8/ 1-14-0
Fire shovel, tongs 6/small 0-10-0
Cases of Drawn 48/ Wool Candlen 2-7-4
Half bushel of 4 cloths 0-14-4
Meat Chest 3/ iron 1/6 0-4-
One slate note with interest 16-0-0
Linen yarn 6/8 side saddle 1-4-0
9 tallow 7/100 wt salt pork loaf 0-4-7
4 barrels, saddle and lamb 0-12-0
Scythe, tackling shovel and old Iron Grill 0-7-0
Personal Estate 177-19-11
Lands with buildings 550
Total 727-19-11
Shraftsbury, May 22 1783
Ezra Bramen
Ephraim Bramen
Robert Andrews Jr.
Worcester April 7, 1784, Previously appointed Hugh Moore on the Estate of William Dunsmore late of Shrewsbury, in said county, deceased, and made solemn oath that the above was just another inventory of all the Estate of said deceased as for as hath come to his knowledge and if any thing further should after appear, he will count the same to be----------.
By order of the Hon. Joseph Wheeler Joseph Dorr, J. Prob.
Entered from the Original Joseph Wheeler, Clerk.
William Dunsmore
Administrative Account Worcester
The account of Hugh Moor one of the administrators on the Estate of William Dunsmore, lately of Shrewsbury deceased intestate, said accountant charged himself with the sort of the inventory of the personal Estate after said deceased this day, sworn to in the Probate Court office amounting to the sum of L 177-19-11
Also a pair of worsted combs (not before inventoried) -2-
and prays allowance as following viz: L 178-1-11
Paid
William Dunsmore Esq. 16-0-0
Ezra Beamon 3-10-0
Isaac Jinney 4-2-0
Timothy Whitney 4-10-0
John Bennett 0-9-0
Cabet Kendale 0-11-0
Iscaih Moor 2-1-0
Ephraim Beaman 0-6-0
Joseph Wilder 0-12-6
William Joss 3-3-0
Robert Andrews 10-8-6
Loskin Byen 16-15
Hannah McMuhell 5-12-4
Accessing the pantry, examining
& improving, Swearing the appraisers
The Will 0-12-0
Examining and swearing to the
Inventory and recording same 0-6-0
Letter of administration and warrant 0-9-0
Allowing, copying 0-11-0
To time & express in administering 3-2-0
124-0-0
Written Compiled Edited and Created by:
Kenton Poole
Box 391
21 Reed Street
Naples, NY 14512
716 374 6232
K_Poole@g-c-r.com