- In the name of God, Amen. The sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord, One thousand, seven hundred and seventy-six. I, Zebulon Jennings, Jur., of the Borough of Eliz., County of Essex, and Province of East New Jersey, yeoman; being of sound mind and disposing memory, (thanks be given unto God for the same), calling to mind and duly considering the mortality of my body, and knowing that it is appointed for man once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament. Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God who gave it, trusting in His mercy and in the merit of my dear Redeemer for the remission of all my sins. My body I commit to the earth, to be buried in a christian like and decent manner, at the discretion of my executors, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And, as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, devise and dispose of in the following manner, viz: I order all my just debts and funeral expenses paid out of my moveable estate.
I give to my beloved wife Joanna Jennings, one cow and the use and profits of all my lands, till my oldest son comes to the age of twenty-one years, which is in lieu of her right of dower and power of thirds; also I give to my sd. wife all my moveable estate, after the debts and funeral expenses are paid, excepting five pounds which I give to my daughter Sarah Jennings, to be paid unto her when she arrives to the age of eighteen years. I give and bequeath to my three sons, Henry Jennings, Jonathan Jennings and Jacob Jennings, to them, their heirs and assigns forever, all and singular, of my Lands and premises, to be equally divided among them, both in quantity and quality, to be divided among them when my oldest son, Henry, comes of age, and then Henry is to take his part, and my above sd. wife is to have the use of the other sons' parts till the next son comes of age, (which with my moveables as is given her above is to enable her to bring up our children), and when my sd. second son comes of age he is to take his part, and I give my sd. wife the use of my youngest son's part as long as she remains my widow, that is, till she marries again. And I order each of my above sd. sons, as they come of age, to pay to my daughter Susanna Jennings, each one the sum of three pounds, six shillings and eight pence, which makes ten pounds. It is my will and I order my executors to take particular care that no more of the wood and timber be cut that is on my land than to support the place with fencing stuff, and fire wood for what fireplaces as is now in the house. I order my executors to put my sons out to trades. If either of my sons die under the age of twenty-one years, leaving no issue lawfully begotten of his own body, then his part to be equally divided among the survivors of my sons, and to be to them, their heirs and assigns forever; and if either of my daughters die under the age of eighteen years leaving no issue lawfully begotten of her own body, her part to go to the other daughter. And I do make, ordain, constitute and appoint My beloved wife Joanna Jennings, and my trusty friend William Darby, executors of this my last will and testament; and I do utterly revoke, disannul and disallow all and every other former wills and testaments by me made; ratifying, allowing and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.
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1735 - 1776 (40 years)
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