Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records
(Hartford District),
Charles W. Manwaring,
Hartford, 1902,
Vol 3, p 361

Richard WAY, Haddam. Will dated 1 Jun 1735: I, Richard WAY, mariner, belonging to his Majestie's ship Namur, being of bodily perils & dangers of the seas and other uncertainties of this transitory life, do make this my will: I give such wages, sum or sums of money, lands, tenements, goods, chattells & estate whatsoever as shall be any way due, oweing or belonging unto me at the time of my decease, I do give, devise & bequeath the same unto my beloved friend John NIGHTINGIRL of the sd. ship, mariner, for my wife Hannah WAY of New England. And I do herby nominate & appoint John NIGHTINGIRL my executor of this my last will & testament. And I do ordain & ratify these presents to sand and be for and as my only last will & testament. In witness whereof to this my sd. will I have set to my hand and seal the 1st day of June, Anno. Dom. 1735, and in the 8th yar of the reign of His Majestie Lord King George the 2nd, over Great Britian.

Rd. X WAY

Signed, sealed, published & declared in the presence of us: Rt. SPORLE, Jos: ADKINS, Bart. PITTS. Examined by Robt. BOGG, Junr.

Court Record, Page 43 -- 15 Feb 1738-9: A copy of the will of Richard WAY, late of Haddam, in the County of Hartford, mariner in his Majestie's ship Namur, deceased, with ye probation thereof by William, by Divine Providence Arch Bishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England, & Metropolitan, was now exhibited in Court by Hannah WAY, widow relict of the sd. decd, which copy of sd. will is ordered to be recorded & kept on file. And the sd. widow informing this Court that there is sundry debts due to sd. estate which cannot be recovered without Adms. is granted, the executor to sd. will being gone, and not known whether he ever will (return) to this land gain, and that the debts due from sd. estate may be duly paid and the credits received, Adms. is granted to Hannah WAY, the relict of the decd., who gave bond, with Maynard DAY of Hartford, of £200.