John Churchill

The original Churchill Immigrant. Came to Plymouth in 1643. Note: May have also married a Giles Rickard (-1669) on 18 Dec 1644 in Plymouth. !Death: Between 24 Dec 1661 (will) and 3 Mar 1662 (Ratified) !Will: Reprinted in Mayf.Des 18:40. Text is as follows: [On folio 82] The Will Nuncupative of John Churchill senir: late Deceased exhibited before the Court helt att Plymouth the 3 of March 1662 Attested upon oath as followeth Abigaill Clarke aged twenty years or theraboutes being Deposed saith; That on Tusday the 24th of December last past before the Date heerof; her kinsman viz John Churchill senir: being ill att ease but of pfect memory Did expresse him selfe in manor as followeth that his mind and will was that his son Josepth Churchill and his son Eliezer Churchill shall have and enjoy all his lands both uplands and meddowes within the Township of Plymouth accepting onely fifty acrees of land graunted to him by the Towne lying att Mannomett ponds; which hee gave then unto John Churchill his son; morover that his will was that his son William shall have his purchase land att Punckateesett viz: his share of the townes land there; further that hee Did expresse him selfe that his son Josepth shall have his New house att his wifes Death and for the use of all the lands aforsaid that they shalbee for teh use and Improvement of his wife as long as shee lives; and that hee alsoe said that incase Josepth should marry or bee for him selfe that then hee should have the use of the old Dwelling house and some land to make use of; and as for his estate remaining hee said, that hee knew not whether there would bee any thing left when his Children were brought up or noe; but if his wife Could spare it then that Josepth should have a yeake of oxen and Eliezer a yeake of oxen and Hannah a Cow if not two and incase any thinge should bee left att his wifes Decease that then such of his Children as have had nothinge in prticulare as above given them should have what is left in equall proportions to equallice what is given to them forenamed as farr as it will goe. The oath of Abigaill Clarke taken in the Court held att Plymouth the third Day of march 1662 Attested p me Nathaniel Morton; Clarke; Att the Court of his Matie held att Plymouth in New England the 2cond Day of March anno Dom 1668 Joseph Churchill Came before the said Court and alowed approved Rattifyed and Confeirmed the will of his father John Churchill Deceased above expressed in all and every prticulars therof; the said Will and Testament to stand remaine and Continew unalterable and Inviolable for ever. ---- From Leon Clark Hills' book: He appeared first in Plymouth 1643, and purchased a farm of Richard Higgins in 1645. He was propouded a freeman 1650, and admitted 1651. A nuncupative will was made and exhibited before court held at Plymouth, Mar. 3, 1662. Book of Wills, 2nd Part, Vol. 2, page 83.