Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records
(Hartford District),
Charles W. Manwaring,
Hartford, 1902,
Vol 3, p 429
Thomas LAY, Middletown. Invt. £136-18-07. Taken 29 Mar 1743, by George HUBBARD & Daniel STARR. Will dated 2 Mar 1743.
I, Thomas LAY of Middletown, do make and ordain this my last will & testament: Imprimis. I give and bequeath unto Mary, my wife, all and every part of my household goods, to be at her dispose, and the equal half of all my stock after the legacies herein mentioned are paid out of it. I give unto my sons-in-law, Eleazer GILBERT & Jonathan ROBERTS, all my husbandry tools & utensils and the equal half of my stock after the legacies hereinafter mentioned are paid out of it, provided they do well and truly perform the condition of one obligation by them jointly and severally given to me bearing date even with these presents. And whereas, my former wife Rachel (from whom I obtained a bill of divorcement) had one child (before) I obtained sd. bill, called Dorothy LAY, I give to the sd. Dorothy the sum of 5 shillings, old tenor money, to be paid out of my stock estate by my executor after named, on her demand, within 12 months of my decease. And I do appoint my friend William ROCKWELL sole executor, to whom I give the sum of £10 old tenor money, to be taken out of my stock estate.
Thomas LAY, L.S.
Witness: Daniel JOHNSON, Nathaniel JOHNSON, Elisha SAYER.
Court Record, Page 21 -- 4 Apr 1743: The last will & testament of Thomas LAY, late of Middletown, was now exhibited in Court by William ROCKWELL of Middletown, Executor. Proven & ordered to be recorded.