Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records
(Hartford District),
Charles W. Manwaring,
Hartford, 1902,
Vol 1, p 587

Samuel STOCKING, Middletown. Died 2 Dec 1697. Invt. £306-10-09. Taken 4 Mar 1697, by Nathaniel WHITE, John WARNER & John X CLARKE. Nuncupative Will dated 5 Feb 1691-2.

The Testimony of Capt. Nathaniel WHITE, aged 60 years or thereabouts, and of Bethia STEELE, 57 years of age or thereabouts, testifyeth and saith: That when Deacon Samuel STOCKING made his Will we were present, and he fearing that his son John STOCKING might be cut short of what he expected to be his Due & Right by Virtue of his Father STOCKING's Will, that then his son John should have 1/2 of his Lott or Division of Land lying on ye Et Side ye grt River, next Haddam Bounds.

Samuel STOCKING, personaly appd & owned it, as sworn before me, Nathaniel STANLY, Assistant.

George STOCKING, Daniel STOCKING & Thomas STOW in Right & behalf of his wife Bethia, did before this Court, on the 4th day of March 1697-8, each one voluntarily declare that they are willing their Brother John STOCKING shall possess and enjoy the Land mentioned given him by his Father. Test: William WHITING, Clerk.

(See Vol. IV, p 168-70 -- Will of Samuel STOCKING sen., who Died 30 Dec 1683.)

Court Record, Page 17 -- 4 Mar 1697-8: Whereas, there was a paper or Writing presented to this Court that was called the last Will & Testament of Samuel STOCKING of Middletown Decd., the Court, having well considered the same, do not see Cause to allow it as a Will, but do order that the Estate be equally divided amongst his brethren & Sisters, Debts due from the Estate being first paid. An Invt. of Samule STOCKING's Estate was presented in the Court by Thomas STOW & George STOCKIGN. Adms. granted to George STOCKING, who recognized in £150 to faithfully administer upon the Estate of his Brother Samuel STOCKING Decd.