Essex County, MA: Early Probate Records, 1635-1681. VOL 1. P137-8

Also. Ipswich Deeds, VOL I, leaf 123.

Honor Rolfe died, perhaps unexpectedly in the Charlestown home of her eldest child, Anna Rolfe Blanchard – my 9th great-grandmother. Anna’s young husband Thomas died at more or less same time – so perhaps it was an epidemic. She spoke her will to two bedside witnesses who later testified to her wishes before the court.

Estate of Honor Rolfe of Newbury.

Henry Largin of Charlestown — house of Thomas Blanchard on n[???] where widow Honour Rolfe lay -berry lay sick. She did declare h{???] be; that her son Benjamin Rolfe should have the substance of her estate, which was her own pp estate & that he should be her sole Executor. Only she gave these particulars as followeth, her bedding & Clothes linen and woollen she gave to be equally divided betwixt her two daughters. Also she gave twenty shillings a piece to her four grandchildren to be given them five years after her death. Also one little cow she gave to her Daughter yet lives at Newberry [This was Hannah, not Anna]. Also of four pieces of Brass she gave two to her son Benjamin, which he should choose and to each of her daughters one. The rest she gave to her son Benjamin, saving 2 pewter platters which she gave each to her daughters one. & further she expressed her mind about a Barn that is built upon part of her son Benjamin’s ground, she gave to her son John Rolfe all her interest in that ground that the barn stood upon. This is the substance of her expression as far as he can remember.

Memorandum that part if the 22 of the whole 23. 24 & part of yes 25 lines were blotted out. – Ri. Billingham.

Taken vpon oath by the said Henry Largin this 20 12-1650. who further saith that the said Honor Rolfe was of a disposing memory.

Before me Ri. Bellingham.

‘The Testimony of George Vaughan, aged about 23 years concerning the last will of Honor Rolfe widow deceased: 19th of 10th month 1650. This Deponent saith that himself being in preference together with Henry Largin some two days before the death of the above said testator, he heard her make this her last will in maner following.

Imprimis she bequeathed all het estate in general to her youngest son Benjamin Rolfe only excepted these particulars which follow:

Item. To her four grandchildren she gave twenty shillings a piece, to be paid them four or five years after that time.

Item. All her right in half an acre of ground on which the barn stands and a young sow she gave to her son John Rolfe.

Item. A little cow that she gave to her daughter Hannah Dole.

Item. All her wearing clothes and bedding she gave to be equally divided between her 2 daughters Anna and Hannah: these particulars above said this deponent took special notice of; & further he saith not: only a day after her sonne in law Richard Dole coming to her desired this deponent to ask her what she would do with the three pounds ten shillings in England, and she answered that she would that her son Benjamin should have a suit of clothes out of it, & the rest he should have meaning her said son in law Richard Dole. The word benjamin underlined.

Taken upon oath this 20th of the 12th month 1650 before me William Hibbins.

The court upon the testimony of George Vaughn & Henry Largin of Charlestown as far as there Testimonies do agree is the will and testament of Honor Rolfe.

Proved 30: 7: 1651 by Henry Lurgen and George Vaughn. Ipswich Quarterly Records, VOL 1. P26.