Edward Walden

In The Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts, George FrancisDow transcribed probate records of our forefathers.One such recordinvolves Edward Walden, an ancestor of the Heckford family.
It is possible his lawyer wrote the actual text. Back then, there wereno spelling rules, and everyone took their best guess; sometimes,writers would spell a single word different ways, as the word "itt"and "it" show in the will. As a result, the probate record might be alittle hard to read for modern eyes. The text indicatesEdwardWaldendid not read or write, as Dow reports Edward signed thedocument with "his mark" and a seal.
Known all men by these presents this 22 of March 1678-9 that I EdwardWalden of Wenham in the County of Essex, being sick of body butt ofgood & perfect memory caling to mind the uncertainty of this mortalllife. Doe make constitute & ordeine this my last will & testament inform & manner as followeth. -Impr: I Committ my soul to God thatt gaveitt, & my body to the earth, & to decent Buriall. Item: I Give to mySon Nathaniell Walden: all my Land on the Neck: In account ten acresbe there more or less. Item the rest of my estate, I will thatt ittbeequally divided be-
tweene the rest of my children which I here name. John Walden. HannahWalden. Ruth Walden. Naomi Walden, &
Elizabeth Walden. If any of these my children dy before they come ofAge to possess their portions. It shall be equally
divided among the Survivinge If they all dy itt shall fall to thenearest of Kin And I make my Son Nathaniel Walden
sole Excecutor of this my will & I desire my Loving friends Cap*:Thomas Fiske, & Charles Gott to oversee this my will. In witnesswhereof I have sett to my hand and Seale the day & yeare abovewritten."
Edward (his IX mark) Walden (SEAL)
Witness: Joseph Gerrish, Sarah (her S mark) Moulton. Proved in Salemcourt 25: 4:1679, by the witnesses.
The will was not enough for the probate court or, perhaps the will waschallenged. Edward had not included the names of several of hischildren, including Mary, who is a direct line ancestor of theHeckford clan. Dow records the following questioning of the witnessesto Edward's will.
Joseph Gerrish and John (his J mark) Abby, sr., testified Apr. 29,1679, that Edward Walden ordered the blotting out of the words thatare blotted out in the will. Joseph Gerrish aged about 29 years,testified that he heard Edward Walden say he had done enough for histwo daughters, Mary and Thomasin already, and therefore saw meet toleave them out of his will.
Sworn in court at Salem, 26:4: 1679.
Not only do old records provide insights to family fights, but theyoften include an inventory of the deceased's property and debts. Basedon these records, Mr. Walden would have been considered quite welloff. The inventory, taken on April 20, 1679, by Thomas Fiske andCharles Gott shows the following.
ten acres of land, 25li.
twenty pownd Remainding upon a Bill to be paid in fowre yersfollowing, 20li.
another Bill to be paid in 9 yers following, 17li.
one Cowe, 3li. 16s.
one gun, Hi.
Cloathing, 2li. 4s.
Tramell & pothooks, 6s. 6d.
one old kettle & one old ax, 3s.
due from Samll. Fiske, 6s.
in Beding, Hi. 16s.
Bedstead, 5s.
total, 71li. 16s. 6d.
There were also debts to consider.
to the Docter, 2li. 8s.
to John Fiske, 2li. 2s.
Goodwife White, 10s.
Goodman Woodward, 5s.
Goodman Pearce, 5s.
John Walderne, 10s.
Hannah Walderne in mony, 13s.
mony to Mr. Gerrish, 5s.
Mr. Gerrish by Rate, 6s. 5d.
Joseph Fowler, 2s.
total, 7li. 6s. 5d.
Attested in Salem court 26: 4:1679, by Nathaniell Walden, theexecutor, and he is to pay to his sister Tamson 5- out of the estatethe debts to be paid first out of the whole estate.
Essex County Quarterly Court Files, vol. 31, leaves 99, 100.
______________________________________Source
http://books.google.com/books?id=XAwMA AAAYAAJ