Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records
(Hartford District),
Charles W. Manwaring,
Hartford, 1902,
Vol 3, p 660

John STOCKING, Middletown. Will dated 2 Dec 1746: I, John STOCKING of Middletown, in the County of Hartford, being bound on a voyage to see, do make this my last will & testament: I giv and bequeath to my honoured mother STOCKING the improvement of the 1-2 of my dwelling house, barn & homelott; also the use of my negro girl Rose for and during the term of my sd. mother's natural life. I give to my wife Mary all my estate, both real & personal, to be to her and her heirs forever, reserving the improvement aforesd., in case I have no child born; but in case I should have a child born, then and in such case my will is that sd. child, whether male or female, shall have 2-3 parts of my personal estate and the whole of my real estate, to be to him or to her and to his or her heirs forever, reserving what is before reserved, and also reserving to my sd. wife the use of 1-3 part of my real estate during her natural life. And in case I should have a child born as aforesd. and the child should die before it arrive to lawful age to inherit, then my will is that my sd. wife shall have my estate as aforesd., reserving to my mother the improvement aforesd. And further, my will is that all my negro servants that shall survive my sd. wife shall go out free. And I do appoint my wife Mary to be sole executrix.

John STOCKING, L.S.

Witness: Thomas GOODWIN, Matthew TALCOTT, Jabez HAMLIN

Court Record, Page 129 -- 17 May 1750: The last will & testamentof John STOCKING, late of Middletown, was now exhibited in Court by Mary STOCKING, widow & executrix. Will proven, ordered recorded & kept on file.