History and genealogy of Peter Montague, of Nansemond and ...

DESCENDANTS OF PETER MONTAGUE. 57
Hannah Montague, taken Nov. 28, 1659, returned to court, Nov. 30,
1659. It has been found impossible to state who she was. Perhaps
she was the first wife of Peter Montague the emigrant and the mother
of his children, the said Cicely being his second wife. His will was
proved in May, 1659, and this inventory coming so soon afterward
would seem to indicate that it related to a part of his estate. Possibly
said Hannah was a deceased wife of either one of the sons of Peter,
but as it was the year Peter died it does not seem probable, if it was
so she certainly died childless, as the will of Peter proves.
A copy of the will of Peter Montague, dated 27th March, 1659^
and proved 25th May, Jthe same year, is given below :
In the name of God amen, I Peter Montague being weak in body and
perfect memory do make this my last will and testament, this the 27th of
March 1659 in name and form following,
First I bequeath my soul into the hands of my redeemer Jesus Christ, and
my body to be buried.
Item, my debts being first paid I give to my loving wife Cicely one third
part of all my real and personal estate according to law.
Item, I give to my two sons Peter and Will. Mountague all my land lying
on Rappahannock river to them and their heirs forever, and the land being
divided it is my will, that the elder is to have the first choice, and in case of
want of heirs of either, the survivor to enjoy all the land, and in case both of
them shall depart this life without heirs, lawfully begotten, then my will is
that the said land be sold by the commissioners of this county after public
notice given either at an outcry, or by an inch of candle* and the produce
thereof to be equally divided between my three daughters, Ellen, Margaret,,
and Elizabeth, and the child of Ann late wife of John Jadwin, and in case of
any of these shall die without issue, then the produce of the said land to be
divided between the survivors.
Item, I give the other two thirds of my personal estate to my four children
Peter, Will, Margaret, and Elizabeth to be equally divided among them.
Item, I give to my daughter Ellen, the wife of Will Thompson, one
thousand pounds of tobacco, and cask to be deducted, of a bill of thirteen
hundred pounds of tobacco now due to me by the said Will Thompson.
Lastly I ordain my loving wife Cicely and my son Peter jointly Executrix and
Executor of this my last will and testament. In witness of the previous I
have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written 1659
interlined before the signing and sealing hereof.
(Signed) PETER MOUNTAGUE.
(Ye seal)
In presence of
George Marsh /
Thomas James \
* Sale by inch of candle, is an auction in which persons are allowed to bid only till a small
piece of candle burns out.—Webster's Dictionary.