Samuel Prescott (abt. 1674 - 1758)

Born about 1674 in Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Esther (Wheeler) Prescott — married 5 May 1698 in Concord, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Bay

Descendants

Died 25 Jul 1758 at about age 84 in Acton, Middlesex, Province of Massachusetts Bay

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Biography

Samuel Prescott was born about 1674. in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. He was the son of Jonathan Prescott and Dorothy Heald Prescott,

He was married in Concord, Middlesex County, to Esther Wheeler on May 5, 1698. She was the daughter of John Wheeler and Sarah Larkin Wheeler of Concord.

Initially, the family resided in Lancaster, In October, 1704, Samuel accidentally shot and killed Rev, Andrew Gardner while on sentry duty, mistaking him for an Indian raider, An inquest was held and Samuel was exonerated, however soon thereafter he sold their property in Lancaster and relocated to that part of Concord which became Acton.

Samuel Prescott died in Acton July 25, 1758. He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, in Acton,

Marriage

5 MAY 1698 Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States to Esther Wheeler^[1]

Death

25 JUL 1758 Acton, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States^[2]

Notes

Samuel Prescott died testate, having written a will on 19 August 1750.

The probate papers are in Middlesex County Probate Records, Probate Packet #18,104 [on FHL Microfilm 0,421,496]. The will reads:

"In the Name of God Amen I Samuel Prescott of Acton in the County of Middlesex in the province of the Massachulsetts Bay in New England yeamon being of a Sound and Disposing mind though but weak and Infirme in Body Calling to mind my frailty Do make this my Last will and testament first I Committ my Soul to God who gave it and my body to the Earth to be Decently Buried at the Discretion of my Executor hereafter Named and as touching my worldly Estate I Dispose of the Same as follows.

"Imprimis I Give unto my well Beloved and onely Son Amos Prescott all my Lands and Buildings in Acton with all my Husbandry tools and wearing Apparel my Iron morter and staff He paying out unto the Children of my Daughter Esther Conant deceased the Sum of six pounds and to my Daughter Dorothy Heldreth the Sum of three pounds Six shillings and Eight pence and to my Daughter Mary Fletcher the Sum of Six pounds and to my Daughter Sarah Randal the sum of Six pounds and to my daughter Dorcas Minott the Sum of Six pounds and to the Children of my daughter Abigail Fox deceased the Sum of Six pounds and to my daughter Rebeckah Daves the Sum of Six pounds and to pay them thirty Shillings apeace a year untill the whole be paid the first payment to be one year after my decease.

"Also I Give unto my daughter Davies my pew in Acton meeting House.

"Also I Give unto my Grand daughter Frances Prescott the Bed in which she hath Constantly Lodged in Since my wives decease with the Bolster (and pillows sheets and Blankets and Coverlets Bed Stead and Cord there unto Belonging also my Great Brass Kittle.

"Also I Give unto my daughters above said (the Children of my daughter Conant and daughter Fox to have their equal shares) all the Remainder of my Estate to be Equilly devided Among them my Lawfull Debts Charge at Doctors and my funerall Charges to be first Reducted out.

"And I do hereby Appoint and make my Son Amos Prescott the Sole Executor of this my Last will and testament allowing no other to be my Last Will and testament. In wittness whereof I have Here unto Set my hand and Seal this Nineteenth Day of August 1756 and in the thirtieth year of His majesties Reign.

"signed Sealed and Delivered by the said

Samuel Prescott as his last Will and testament

in presence of us

Jonathan Hosmerhis

Daniel Fletcher Samuel P Prescott (seal)

William Barker Junr."mark

On 9 October 1758, Deacon Jonathan Hosmer and Joseph Barker, both of Acton, and Captain Stephen Hosmer of Concord were appointed to a committee to apprise the Estate of Samuel Prescott, late of Acton.

An inventory of the real and personal estate of Samuel Prescott, late of Acton, was taken by the committee on 17 October 1758. The estate totalled 328 pounds, 9 shillings, 3 pence, including 227 pounds, 9 shillings, 4 pence in real estate. The real estate included a dwelling house (10 pounds), a barn (5 pounds), and one half of 163 acres and 104 rods of land (206 pounds, 9 shillings, 4 pence), and one pew in Acton meeting house (6 pounds). The inventory was exhibited on 23 October 1758 and approved by the Court.

On 11 December 1758, Amos Prescott presented the last will and testament of Samuel Prescotyt, late of Acton, and the inventory to the Court. The first two witnesses made oath to the Court that Samuel Prescott had been of sound mind when he made his last will and testament, but the third witness thought him uncapable. The Court delayed the hearing for three weeks. On 1 January 1759, the Court approved the will, the objections made being waived. Amos Prescott was ordered to present an Account of his proceedings when required.

Amos Prescott charged himself with the money left and the debts of his father, paid the debts, funeral expenses and executorship charges, all of which amountedg to 49 pounds, 3 shillings, 10 pence. The Court accepted the Account on 5 May 1760.

Sources

1. ↑ #S178 Concord, Massachusetts Births, Marriages and Deaths
2. ↑ #S593 Year 1850: Town of Acton

• S178: Concord MA BMD, 1635-1850: George Tolman (compiler), Concord, Massachusetts Births, Marriages and Deaths, 1635-1850 (Concord, Mass. : Committee on Printing, 1894): Repository: San Diego Family History Center (4195 Camino del Rio South, San Diego, California, USA)
• S20: Threlfall, John Brooks 50 Great Migration Colonists to New England (Madison, Wis.: published by author, 1990)
• S593: Acton MA VRs to the Year 1850: Town of Acton, Massachusetts, Vital Records of the Town of Acton, Massachusetts to the Year 1850 (Boston, Mass. : New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1923)
• Nourse, Henry: "Annals of Lancaster, Massachusetts 1643-1725"; Published 1884; pages 148-150.
• Shattuck, Lemuel: "History of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts" Published 1835; Appendix III; Notes on Early Settlers and Distinguished Men; page 382.
• New England Marriages prior to 1700, page 602 (Prescott).

Acknowledgments

• William Ramage, firsthand knowledge.
• This person was created through the import of randys ancestors-10generations.ged on 10 March 2011.