Contents |
Introduction
This is a transcription of the will of John White, alias Wampers. John was a Native American who is the subject of "Swindler Sachem" by Jenny Hale Pulsipher.
This document bequeaths large amounts of land in New England, both to his family, and to his friends. It resulted in several lawsuits and the eventual creation of Sutton, Massachusetts, as well as the Hassanamisco Reservation.
List of Names
John White, alias Wampous (also Wampus, Wompas)
Transcription
In the name of God Amen I John White als Wampous late of Boston in New England Mariner being sicke and weake in body but of sound and perfect mynde and memory praise be therefore given to Almighty God for the same doe make and declare this my present last Will and Testament in manner and forme following That is to say First and principally I commend my soule into the hands of Almighty God my Creator hopeing that through the ?? death and passion of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ wh? forgiveness of all my syns and wh? Ever lasting life my body I committ to the earth to be decently buryed according to the discretion of my Executors hereafter named And for the disposition of such Temporall Estate as it hath pleased Almighty God f? above my deserts to bestow upon mee I give and dispose thereof (my debts and Funerall expenses being first paid and discharged) in manner and forme following (That is to say) First I doe give devise and bequeath unto my very loveing kinsman John a Wonsamock, Pomhammell and Norwaruunt All that my Estate lying and being in New England aforesaid formerly called or
knowne by the name of Assenham East-stock And all lands plantations heredita- ments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or appertaining to have hold and enjoy unto them and their heirs for Ever They and every of them observing performing fulfilling and keeping all such Articles and Conditions as my Father and I have or ought to have observed performed fulfilled and kept Item I give devise and bequeath unto my very loveing friend George Owen of the parish of St Alhallowes the Wall in London Chirugion foure hundred Acres of that my lande situate lying and being in Bedford in New England aforesaid which said land doth abutt upon the lande of 'Nicholas Warner To have hold and enjoy unto the said George Owen his heirs and Assignes for Ever Item I give devise and bequeath unto my very loveing friends Edward Pratt' of the parish of St Paul Shadwell in the countie of Middlesex victualler and John Blake of Plimouth in New England husbandman All the rest and remaynder of my lands tenements plantations grounds feedings pastures and hereditaments whatsoever by what name or names soever the same be called in whose ?e? Occupation or possession the same or anie part thereof is now or late was in and in what place or places whatsoever in the countrey of New England or elsewhere the same or any part thereof is situate lying and being and all priviledges profitts commodityes and appurtenances whatsoever to the same or any part thereof belonging or appertaining To have hold possesse and enjoy unto the said Edward Pratt his heirs and Assignes and the said John Blake his heirs and Assignes for ever And all the rest of my goods chattles ready money and all other my estate whatsoever I doe give devise and bequeath unto my said loveing friends Edward Pratt and John Blake whome I doe hereby make the full and joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament ? Revoaking nulling and makeing voyd all former and other Will and Wills by me heretofore made or consented unto be made to be voyd And this my last and present Will and Testament to stand firme and stable for Ever In witness whereof I the said John White als Wampers have to this my last WIll and Testament contained in foure sheets or leaves of paper to every sheete thereof sett my hand and my seale fixed with a lebell to the topp thereof dated in London the fifth day of September in the one and thirtyeth yeare of the raigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles the second by the grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King defender of the ffaith ? and in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred seaventy and nyne John White als Wampers his marke signed sealed published and declared in the presence of Francis Gower John Barnes; Theop: Haydocke servant to Tho: Sumerly Not: Publique
Will probated 1 October 1679
Sources
- Will of John White alias Wampers, Mariner of Boston, New England. 1 October 1679. PROB 1/361/25 National Archives (accessed 14 March 2024)
- Pulsipher, Jenny Hale. Swindler Sachem: The American Indian who Sold His Birthright, Dropped Out of Harvard, and Conned the King of England. United Kingdom, Yale University Press, 2018.