In the name of God, Amen
I Bradley Shackford of Eaton in the County of Carroll and State of New Hampshire being weak in body but of a sound and perfect mind and memory (before the almighty God for the same) do make publish and declare this my last will and testament and herein dispose of my worldly estate in manner following to wit.
First I order and direct my executrix herein named to pay all my just debts and funeral charges as soon as may be convenient after my decease.
Second I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Betsy Shackford all my household furniture of every description and all my remaining apparel and all the ???? I may have on hand at the time of my demise. Also I give and devise to my said beloved wife all that part of my homestead farm that I own it being our half of said farm in common with my son Thomas Shackford to whom I have already deeded the other half ???? to include the Cook place and Dolloff place to have and to hold the same to him and her aging to all the appetences thereonto belonging for and during the term of her natural life and condition that my said wife shall take care of support and maintain in my two youngest sons Charles H and Caleb A Shackford they remaining and working on said farm until they shall
said farm (she contributing what she shall be able by her labor term on her support) my daughter Lovina Shackford as long one as she shall remain single or as long as she shall choose to live with her mother on those conditions.
Third I give and bequest to my daughter Irene A Randall ten dollars to be paid one year after my demise.
Fourth I give and ??? to my son Bradley Shackford all my right title and interest (it being our common and undivided half) of the Lake farm so called the other half I have ???? by deed to my son Thomas the whole being about ??? hundred and thirty acres of land the same I purchased of William Towle and Thomas M Shackford to have and to hold the said one half of said ???? together with all the privileges and appurtenances then to belonging former.
Fifth I further give and bequest to my beloved wife after paying all my just debts and funeral charges and the ???? she is hen in ???? to pay all the rest and ??? ad ???? of my personal property of all and every description to have and to hold the same farmer and my said beloved wife shall die before my youngest
son Charles and ???? shall arrive at the age of twenty and then and in that case therein came of that part of the farm that I have discussed he shall be appropriated for the
age of twenty one.
Sixth I give and de???? to my son Thomas Shackford after the decease of my said beloved wife and after my said two youngest sons shall arrive at the age of twenty one all that part of my far that I have de??? to my said beloved wife during her natural life and conditions that her my said son Thomas pays to each of my two youngest sons Charles and Caleb one hundred dollars same to be paid at the time they shall separately arrive at the age of twenty one and also to my daughter Lovina one hundred dollars to her to be paid at the time that she shall marry or at the time she shall choose to quit the farm and give your her support and until such time she is to be supported on said farm and if my son Thomas does not choose to ??? out its said ??? as herein directed then that part of the farm ???? to him shall be equally divided between my two said younger sons Charles and Caleb they making provisions for my daughter Lovina as it is herein directed and they came into possession after the decease of my said beloved wife and I do hereby appoint my beloved wife as executrix of my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and same to the will us witnesses this twenty second
day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and forty five. Bradley Shackford Signed sealed published and delivered by the said Bradley Shackford as and for his last will and tesstament in presence of us who at his request in his ???? and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto
Silas Gaskill [next name covered, jsp]
While one document is not the definitive source for a relationship, relationships described in a will and probate rank pretty high and most likely confirm that Thomas's father was Bradley. Thomas did designate his brother Caleb as his executor in his will which also helps confirm the relationship. I'm not sure why Thomas' death record lists a Samuel Shackford as his father and am hoping to someday find the original documents from which that record was created to see if there was a chance of a transcription error or some other reason for Samuel being listed.
Thomas was 28 years old when his father Bradley died in 1846. He inherited a large responsibility - caring for his mother, three younger siblings and two farms. Three years later he married Rachel H Marston and had three children. Rachel died soon thereafter and he then married Abigail Thurston who joined the family with her son Horace Thompson. He committed suicide at the age of 56 and designated his brother Caleb as the administrator of his estate.
Children:
Mary Lizzie Shackford (1849-1925)
John L Shackford (1851-1909)
Emma Rachael Shackford (????-1912)
REFERENCES:
Carroll County, New Hampshire, Probate Case Files, Bradley Shackford Will,; "New Hampshire, County Probate Estate Files, 1769-1936," digital images, Family Search (http://www.familysearch.org: accessed 10 June 2013); Image 991
Daily State Journal. 18 November 1873.
Copyright 2013 Joanne Shackford Parkes