Charlestown 1685 Mass. Bay Colony Lieutenant Settles Estate

MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY. Manuscript Document Signed, “Ebenezer Austin”, 2pp on a bifold sheet, 8” x 7.25”, Charlestown, July 27, 1685. Folds with minor paper loss and separation at edges, mostly to third and fourth pages and not affecting text; scattered foxing; moderate toning; uneven edges, else near Very Good.

Ebenezer Austin settles the estate of his wife’s first husband, Joshua Benjamin, who predeceased her and left her with debt. Here, Austin pays the sum of £6-4s-9d to Stephen Waters of Charlestown. 

The document reads, in full, with original spelling unchanged, “Know all men by thes presants that I Ebenezer Austin of Charlstowne doe on the behalfe of my wife Thankfull Beniamin Austin Executrix to the last will and Testament of Joshua Beniamin of Charlstown aforsd latly deseased Acknolidge that thare is Justly owing and due unto Stephen Waters of forsd town from the Estate of sd. Joshua Beniamin the sum of six pounds four Shilling and nin pens in mony it being a debt contracted by sd Joshua Beniamin in his lif time which sum abov sd I Ebenezer Austin on the behalf of my wife Thankfull as executrix abov sd doe oblidg my self my heirs Executors Administrators the sume to paay in curant mony of New England unto the sd Stephen Waters his heirs or assigns out of sd Joshua Beniamins Estat which is now in my hands”.

On the second page is the assignment of Stephen Waters’ debt to a Mr. John Fowle of Charlestown, dated July 28, 1865, and signed by Waters. Docketing of bill on final page.

Ebenezer Austin (1662-1723) was a saddler and was frequently referred to as “Lieutenant Austin”. He held many public offices in his native community. In 1700, he was chosen a surveyor of highways and was a selectman of Charlestown in 1703, 1704, 1707, and 1714. In 1720, he was chosen a tithingman. In 1720-1722, Austin served as one of Charlestown’s representatives to the General Court; his role was to promote a good relationship with the Indians. During his lifetime, Austin acquired considerable property and owned at least one slave, Caesar, who died in 1721.

Thankful Stowe (1659-1691) married Ebenezer Austin in 1685; they had two children together. It was her second marriage; her first was to Joshua Benjamin in 1682. After Thankful’s death, Ebenezer Austin married a second time, to Rebecca Sprague (1675-1769); they had eleven children together.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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