THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF WILLIAM HOOPER

of Reading, made the ffift day of August. 1678 being in my perfect Memory.

first, I give my soule to god whoe gave it to mee, and my body to dust: from whence It came It.

I give halfe my land. upland and Meddow ground to my wife during her life and the other halfe of my land and Meddow. I give to my son William and his heirs for ever;

And my will is That hee shall improve it all. And his mother to have halfe the profitt during her life. and at her decease; hee my son William to have all my land and Meddow and Cattle; And to pay to my six children that are unmarryed ffive pounds apiece. as they shall come to age;

But hee shall not pay any for two yeers after my decease. And my Will is that my two younger sons shalbe with their mother and my son William till they bee ffifteene yeers of age to be helpfull to them And then my Will is That they may be sett to some Trade.

And if either of them have amind to bee a weaver. Then I doe will to him to have my Loomes. and all my Tackling to them. And my household stuffe. I give it all to my wife to bee at her owne dispose.

But if my wife should marry. All my lands and Cattle shalbe my son Williams. only the household goods; to bee my wifes, as is willed before as witnesse my hand

the marke of

William W hooper

Witnessed by
Thomas Marshall
John Severne
Thomas Bancroft

And my will is that my brother Captayne Marshall. and my
Cousine Ensigne Bancroft shalbe my overseers to this will as above - said

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17.4.79

All of the y" above named witnesses took oath to this writing as signed by Wm. Hooper

P.D.R.

Editorial Note: To read more about this William Hooper and his brother, Thomas Marshall, be sure to check out the writings of Idolene Snow Hooper Crosby Hale Ewell under the "History" tab on this website, then click on the biography of "William Hooper - b. 1617."