1660 Massachusetts Colony Estate Law Question (PGM)

Question

Thomas Grover died 1661 Massachusetts Colony. His Will does not list all children and appears that it perhaps does not list his children under a certain age (minors however that was defined in the era). In at least one case a child not in the Will is proven his child through property he received from the distribution of assets he later sells (cosigned by an estate administrator it appears because he is not of age).

Would there be a reason to not list by name children under a certain age? Do we have someone familiar with estate law of the early colonial period for Massachusetts? Copy of the Will available by email (and other probate docs if wanted).

Answer 1

Early Massachusetts law in 1660 would reflect English Civil law. There was not a legal requirement to endow all of the children in the will. In fact, in many instances it was only the eldest son that received anything by tradition.

Comments

Thanks, George. That helps.