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This 27th day of May Anno Domini 1720, I Rebecca Whetcomb of Lancaster...widow and relict of Josiah Whitcomb Sr., late of Lancaster, deceased being aged and infirm of body, though of competent memory and understanding...I do hearby give unto my son Hezekiah Whetcomb one flock bed, bedding and furniture belonging, which bed, etc., he has now the use of, and also do hereby give to my said son one silver cup and the two cows now in my possession and the remainder of my estate the fifth part thereof. I hearby give unto my eldest daughter, namely Rebecca Houghton, another fifth part thereof. I hearby give unto three of my grandchildren, mainly Eunice Willard, Alice Willard alias Whitney, and Miriam Willard, all daughters of Simon Willard deceased, to be equally divided among them, and my will is that Samuel Farnworth and his children and my daughter Mary now wife to said Samuel Farnworth be satisfied with what portion they have already received and to lay no claim to any more of my estate. My granddaughter, Joanna Joslin, I hearby give a fifth part of my estate, viz, that remaining part to be divided into five parts as abovesd to my daughter Damaris Wilder whereby I give another fifth part thereof, to my youngest daughter Abigail White I also give the other fifth part thereof, all which to be truly delivered to the persons which to receive the same by my executor. I do hearby make & constitute my son the sd Hezekiah Whetcomb sole executor to this will and that this is my last will and testament. I declare by my hand and seal the day and year abovesd

Rebecca [her mark] Whetcomb

in presence of

John Houghton
Jonathan Houghton
Joseph Glazer
     The will was probated on 15 April 1726. No inventory was recorded for her estate. On 12 March 1725/6, her heirs signed an acknowledgement that Hezekiah had given them their shares. They were Jacob and Rebecca (Whetcomb) Houghton; Peter Joslin, Jr., Thomas and Johannah (Joslin) Houghton, John and Sarah (Joslin) Houghton, Rebeca Joslin, Debora Joslin, John Joslin, Abigail Joslin, Dorothy Joslin, and Damaris Joslin, children of Peter and Johanna (Whetcomb) Joslin; Jonathan and Alice (Houghton) Whitney; Nathaniel and Damaris (Whetcomb) Wilder and Josiah and Abigail (Whetcomb) White, all of Lancaster; Joseph and Eunice (Willard) Dabey of Stow; and Joseph and Miriam (Willard) Maynard of Sudbury.

Children of Josiah Whetcomb and Rebecca Waters:1

i. Josiah, b. and d. 12 Nov. 1665
ii. Josiah, b. 7 Jan. 1666/67
iii. David, b. 20 Feb. 1668 (67/68?)
iv. Rebecca, b. 12 Nov. 1671
v. Joanna, b. 8 Mar. 1673/74
vi. Mary, b. abt. 1677
vii. Hezekiah, b. 14 Sep. 1681
viii. Deborah, b. 26 Dec. 1683
ix. Damaris, b. abt. 28 Mar. 1686
x. Abigail, supp. b. 13 Mar. 1687/8

(Eunice is claimed as a daughter with no reason given, and no evidence of it was found)

vital records sources:

1. Henry Nourse, The Birth, Marriage, and Death Register, Church Records and Epitaphs of Lancaster, Massachusetts. 1643-1850 (Lancaster: 1920), Rebecca, 13; Joanna, 14; Hezekiah, 15, Deborah, 15; Damaris, based on her gravestone; Abigail 49)