Theodore's will was written in November 1837 and witnessed by James, Seth, and Lucinda Emery. Theodore described himself as a yeoman of Allenstown and his will mentions his wife Hannah, his four living children, John, Nathaniel, Betsy, and Susan, and his grandson Wallace. He required that Nathaniel cared for his wife Hannah, left a house in Pembroke to his grandson Wallace Shackford with the provision that his son John could live in that home and left his two daughters Betsy and Susan $1 each.
THEODORE SHACKFORD's WILL
Will Theodore Shackford.
I, Theodore Shackford of Allenstown in the County of
Merrimack and State of New Hampshire, Yeoman, do make
and ordain this my last will and testament in manner
and form as follows viz.
First I give and bequeath to my wife Hannah all the
household furniture which she brought with her at our mar
riage, and also what she has since got. Also my executor
thereafter named is to keep and feed at his expense for the use
and benefit of my said wife Hannah, during her widowhood,
one good cow and four good sheep, and the increase of said
cow and sheep until they are fit to slaughter. Also one
swine to be fatted and slaughtered annually for her use and
benefit. Also I give unto my said wife the use and occupancy
of that part of my dwelling house which I now occupy so
long as she remains my widow. I also will and
ordain that she shall be provided for during her widow-
hood, by my executor hereafter named, with corn, grain,
firewood already prepared for the fire, and all necessaries
which she may need for her use, both in heath and in
sickness, doctoring and nursing included. Also the use
of a horse and carriage, harnessed and drove to the
door to go to meeting, and visit her friends whenever she
may want. Also I give to my wife all the money
and notes that I may have on hand at the time of my
decease. Also all my stock and chain.
Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my son John all my
wearing apparel.
Thirdly, I give and bequeath unto my grandson Wallace
Shackford the house and land in Pembroke Village that
I purchased of Lewis and Boardman, with this provision that
his father John Shackford shall have the use and occupancy
of said place as long as he may wish unless I should
dispose of said house before my decease. Also five cords of
wood a year for then years delivered at his house. Also
one hundred dollars.
Fourthly, I give and bequeath unto my two daughters Betsy
and Susan two dollars each to be paid by my executor after my
decease.
Fifthly, I give and bequeath unto my son Nathaniel all the
remainder of my estate both real and personal, after paying my
just debts and funeral charges and the bequest before mentioned.
Sixth, I constitute and appoint my son Nathaniel Shackford
to be the sole executor to this my last will and testament, hereby
revoking all former wills by me made.
Seventh, And it is hereby meant and understood, that in
case the said Nathaniel Shackford refuses or neglects to fulfill
all the above conditions to my wife Hannah, then in that case
I will that she have the occupancy and improvements of all my
farm that I have not heretofore deeded to my son Nath. Shackford
as long as she remains my widow.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal
this twenty third day of November, in the year of our Lord one
thousand and eight hundred and thirty seven.
Theodor Shackford Seal
Signed, sealed and declared by the above named Theodore
Shackford to be his last will and testament, in presence of us,
who at his request and in his presence and in presence of
each other have subscribed our names as witnesses to the same.
James C Emery
Seth Emery
Lorenda H Emery
State of New Hampshire
Merrimack, SS
At a Court of Probate for the County of Merri
mack, holden at Concord in said County, on the twenty
sixth day of November, Anno Domini, 1844.
The foregoing instrument purporting the last will of Theodore
Shackford late of Allenstown in said County, deceased
having been presented for Probate in Common form by
Nathaniel Shackford the Executer therein named.
It appears to me, the Judge of Probate for said County, by
the testimony in Court of James C. Emery and Seth Emery, two
of the witnesses, whose names are to said instrument subscribed
that at the time of the execution thereof, the said deceased was
more than twenty one years of age and of sane mind, that he
did sign, seal and publish the same as his last will, and
that the said James C. Emery and Seth Emery with Lorenda
Emery attested and subscribed the same together as witnesses
to the execution thereof in the presence of the said Denison.
I do therefore decree, that the said instrument be, and it
is hereby proved, approved and allowed as the last will
of the said Devisor.
Horace Chase, Judge of Probate
A true Record
Attest,
Joseph Robinson, Register
Theodore died on October 14, 1844 and this will was proven on November 6, 1844. His widow Hannah married Isaac Towle on September 11, 1848.
CHILDREN: (with Dorothy)
John Shackford (1792-1859) - lived in Pembroke, worked as a glassblower, married Susan Gibson
Susanna Shackford (1795-1809)
Samuel Shackford (1799-1816)
Nathaniel H Shackford (1801-1877) - married Abigail Bailey and Emeline E Lovering
Elizabeth Shackford (1805-1893) - married Mark Richardson
Susan K Shackford (1809-1894) - married James Morrison
Leonard Kimball Shackford (1814-1824)
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SOURCES:
Carter N. F., Rev, History of Pembroke, N. H. 1730-1895: In Two Volumes, Vol. II.-Genealogical (Concord, N. H.: Republican Press Association, 1895), page 295; digital images, Hathi Trust (http://babel.hathitrust.org/ : accessed 17 March 2016.
Chase Benjamin, History of Old Chester: From 1719 to 1869 (Auburn, N. H.: Benjamin Chase, 1869), page 588; digital images, Google e-Books (http://books.google.com : accessed 13 July 2017.
Cutter William Richard, A. M , editor, Historic Homes and Places and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs relating to the Families of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Volume 4 (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1908), page 1803-4; digital images, Google E-Books (http://books.google.com : accessed 13 September 2013. [does contain some errors]
"DEATHS," New Hampshire Patriot and State Gazette (Concord, New Hampshire), 28 November 1844; digital images, Godfrey (http://infoweb.newsbank.com : accessed 4 March 2014), America's Historical Newspapers.
Find A Grave, Find A Grave, digital images (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 22 February 2014), Nathaniel Shackford, Find A Grave Memorial# 114504532
Version:0.9 StartHTML:00000120 EndHTML:00000383 StartFragment:00000154 EndFragment:00000347 SourceURL:about:blank New Hampshire, New Hampshire Birth Records, Early to 1900, , Theoder Shackford b., 7 July 1770; digital images, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : accessed 24 February 2014).
New Hampshire, New Hampshire, County Probate Records, 1660-1973, Theodore Shackford; digital images, FamilySearch, http://www.familysearch.org (: accessed 24 February 2014); Merrimack, Probate Records 1839-1875 vol 16, page 219-221 (Image 114-115)
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