Mary Browning Towne Essex County
Mary (Browning) Towne made her will February 1, 1709/10. She confirmed her gift of the land at Topsfield, over which she had power of disposal by the will of her father, to her four sons Thomas, William, Joseph and Samuel, left personal property to her five daughters Mary, Sarah, Abigail, Rebecca and Elizabeth, and appointed Joseph her executor. On the same date as the will, stating that "our mother Mrs. Mary Towne hath given to us her share of Land which did belong to our Grandfather Thomas Browning," the four sons divided this property and the large farm inherited from their father.?? Mrs. Towne survived her son Joseph and her will was probated December 16, 1717, Thomas and William being appointed executors c.t.a. The inventory of personal belongings included a silver cup and spoon.
pg 239 The Probate Records of Essex County
An agrrement made between Thomas Towne, William (his W mark) Towne, Joseph Town
and Samuel Town, all of Topsfield, that whereas the court settled the lands of
our father, Edmond Town of Topsfield upon us, and also our mother Mrs. Mary Town
hath given to us her share of the land which belonged to our grandfather Thomas
Browning, and we have divided all the said lands amongst ourselves as is
here-after expressed (excepting only two acres and a half of medow of said
Browning's which our mother hath given by her will to our sisters); "Thomas
Town hath two twenty acre lotts in the first Division where he now dwels and
about six acres of medow joyning to his Land and to the Rever also about foure
acres of medow Lyeing between Beverely medows and Wenham medows which he had of
our father for Twenti and Two pounds will to him by our grandfather
Browning."
William Town's share of upland "is all that which was our rathers on the
north side of the Rever where he now dwells as also a peace of medow of about
three acres hoyning eastward on Jacob Easte and westward upon Joseph Town and
also six acres of medow on the south side of the Rever over against his dore."
Joseph Town's share is "all our fathers second devision where he now swells
it being about fifty acres asso Three acres of Rever medow joyning to Jacob Este
on the west and William Town on the east, also foure acres of medow on the south
side of the Rever joyning upon Joseph Town on the east and onJohn Curtice on the
west."
Samuell Town's share is "all the upland and medow that was our grandfather
Brownings on the north side of the Rever In which is included William Towns
share of land and (continued on pg. 240) medow which he and Samuell Town bought
of our Unkle James Symonds, also about an acre and halfe of Revir medow joyning
to Joseph Town to the west and Jacob Town to the east."
Signed Feb. 1, 1709-10. Witness: William Porter, Jonathan Putnam.
Acknowledged Dec. 16, 1717, by Thomas Town, Wiliam Towne, Benja. and Daniell
Town sons of Joseph Towne, and executors to their father's will.
Essex County Probate File, Docket 27,886