Transcribed by Marge Matteson
Document provided by Ed Mattison

Will of Francis Matteson
Dated May 8, 1816

In the name of God, Amen --- I Francis Matteson
of Shaftsbury in the county of Bennington, and state of Ver
mont, of sound & perfect memory, and disposing mind:
do make and publish this my last will & testa
ment in manner & form following, that is to say ---

I will that all my debts, and funeral charges be
paid by my executor herinafter named -- I give to my
beloved wife Abigail Matteson two good cows, ten good
sheep, and one swine, said swine to be worth five dollars --
and one third part of all my household furniture -- And
also I give to my said wife Abigail, the use and improve-
ment of the one half of the lot of land I live on, being lot No
five in the third division of lands in said Shaftsbury , &
the use of one third part of all &each of the buildings stand
ing on said lot, during the full time of her natural life
And further I give to my said wife Abigail the use of four
acres of land for a wood lot, lying in Arlington in said county
lying west of Jonathan Andrews land, and is about 72 rods
north & south, and to extend so far west from said Andrews
west line as shall contain said four acres -- And after my
debts, funeral expenses, and the expence of settling my estate
is paid that all my real &personal estate not otherwise dis-
posed of by this will, which I die seized and possessed of, I
will and direct to be divided into nine equal shares, and

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to be disposed of as follows, to wit -- I give and demise to my
son Calvin Matteson one &one fourth part of a share . Item,
I give and bequeath to my grand-daughter Livy Howlet one
share. Item - I give and bequeath to my grand son Luther
Stone, one half of a share -- Item, I give and bequeath to
the heirs of my son, Asahel Matteson,deceased, three fourth
parts of a share - Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter
Olive Baker, one half of a share -- Item, I give and bequeath
to my daughter, Reconcile Andrews, three fourth parts of
a share -- I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Mat
teson, three fourth parts of a share - Item I give and bequeath
to the heirs of my daughter Mercy Sherman,deceased, one
half of a share - Item - I give and bequeath to my daugh-
ter Sarah Hall, one share &two cows - Item - I give and be-
queath to my grandson Asahel Matteson, one half of a
share. Item- I give and bequeath to my Grandson Leland
Matteson, son of my son Francis Matteson, Jun deceased, one
and one half of a share. And further I will that all
the personal property, that I have given to my said wife
Abigail, and not expended, nor disposed of by her in her life
time, and the lands and buildings, the use and occupan-
cy of which I willed to her during her natural life,
I give &bequeath to my children & grand children. --And
at the decease of my said wife, Abigail, to be divided to,

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and among them in the same way and manner as the other
of my said property is directed to be divided by this will. Lastly
---I hereby appoint my son in law Caleb Andrews of Arling-
to in the County aforesaid sole executor of this my last will
and testament. -- In withness whereof, I do hereunto set my
hand & seal, this 8th day of may, in the year of our Lord, one
thousand eight hundred and sixteen.--
                                        Frances Matteson {L.S.}

Signed, sealed, published & declared by the above named
Francis Matteson, to be his last will and testament in the
presence of us who have herunto subscribed our names
as witnesses in the presence of the Testator.
                    Jacob Galusha, RuSs Andrew, Samuel Ames

Note: "RuSs" is written in the old style Rufs indicating double 's'

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