Will of General Nathanael Greene

by Nathanael Greene

Layout 2

NG’s Will

[Newport] Rhode Island, 11 October 1785

In the name of God Amen. I Nathaniel Greene late Major General in the Army of the United States of America do make and declare this to be my last and only will and Testament.

First. I give, devise and bequeath unto my much beloved Wife and to her Heirs Executors and Administrators my Carriages and Carriage Horses, and all the Plate and Furniture which we may have at the time of my death.

Secondly. I give and bequeath all the rest of my property both real and personal to my Wife and Children to be divdied equally amongst them to <have and share alike; That is my Wife to have a share equal to one of my> Children <and if any of my Children> should die before they come of Age, unmarried and without legal Issue It is my will and I direct that His, her, or their, share shall go to my Wife and surviving Children to be divided among them as before said. And it is further my Will and I do herby direct that should my Wife and Children all die without ever coming to the possession of my property that it be equally divided among my five Brothers, Namely Jacob, William, Elihu, Christopher, & Perry, after paying out the following Legacies. Fifteen hundred pounds to my cousin Griffin Greene, Five hundred pounds to Cap William Littlefield. One hundred Guineas to M Phebe Sands and twenty five Guineas to each of the Children left by M Paine.

Thirdly. In case it should evidently appear for the benefit of my Children then I authorize my Executrix and executors to dispose of any part of the Estate herby bequeathed or divised.

As I am convinced that the happiness of my Children will depend in an eminent degree on their education; it is my last will and earnest request to those to whose management I have committed their estates that they will attend in a particular manner to the improvement of their understandings. As I hope my Sons will come forward and take an Active part in the Affairs of their Country; their education should be liberal. My Daughters should not be less suitable to their Station, and Circumstances. But above all things let their Morals be well attended to. To whatever changes of <fortune they may be exposed they must be happy if their morals are> pure. <The smiles of fortune will> afford but a temporary pleasure should their morals be otherwise.

This advice is properly attended to will prove the best Legacy of a fond father.

I constitute and appoint my dear Wife my Executrix and my friend Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth of Connecticut, and my friend Edwa<rd> Rutledge Esq of South Carolina my Executors to this my Will. Witness my hand an Seal at Newport this eleventh day of October 1785.

NATH GREENE

Signed Sealed Published and declared by the Testator as & for his last will & Testament. In the presence of us who in his presence and in that of <each> other have Subscribed our Names as Witness thereunto

WILLIAM GREENE

PHINEHAS MILLER

ELIZABETH LITTLEFIELD