Jowett Variations One Name Study: The Jowett/Jewett Register of Researchers

Will of John Jewett of Ipswich 21 October 1708.

Like his brother Abraham Jewett, John is not a direct descendant of either Joseph or Maximillian Jewett, original settlers of Rowley, but is almost certainly their nephew.

According to FCJ, John was made a freeman in 1675/6. A deed dated 21 March 1708/9 relates to his wife's third and is signed by the children of "John Jewett dec'd of Ipswich as follows: John Jewett, Daniel Jewett, Jonathan Jewett, Cornelius Davis, Mary Jewett, Elizabeth Jewett, Joseph Plummer and Hannah Plummer."

His widow Elizabeth married Deacon Ezekiel Jewett October 23 1716.

John Jewett; last will, proved, approved and allowed.

I John Jewett of ye town of Ipswich in ye county of Essex in New England, being weak of body, but of sound understanding and memory do make this my last will in forme and manner as followeth,

Ffirst I committ my soul to God ye gave it mee in hope of a happy resurrection thro ye power and merrite of Jesus Christ my dear redeemer and my body to be decently interred to ye earth by a buryall.

And as for ye outward estate ye God hath given mee I dispose of as followeth.

To my beloved wife Elizabeth I do give and bequeath to her as long as she shall remaine my widow four acres of land on either side my dwelling....(three lines illegible)..... and one quarter part of ye Orchard to be part of her four acres.

And for the rest of my estate my will is that when my honest debts is payd and funerall charges that it shall be equally divided amongst my children. Only my daughter Mary I do give her five pounds more than any of the rest

And I do appoint my son Isaac Jewett to be my whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament. And witness her of ye aforesaid John Jewett have sett to my hand and seale this twenty first day of October 1708.

Signed sealed and declared to be the last will and testament in presence of us witnesses

Jeremiah Jewett

Mary Chadwell

Samuel Platts.

Ipswich, Essex, November 29 1708 before ye Hon. John Appleton esq. Judge of ye Probate of Wills for ye said county, Mr Jeremiah Jewett, Mary Chadwell and Mr Samuel Platts, all personally appeared and made oath that they were instant and saw John Jewett senr., late of Ipswich, deceased, signe and seale and heard him publish and decalre ye above written to be his last will and testament and when he so did he was of good understanding and disposing minde to ye best of their determine and that they all sett to ye hands as wittnesses in his presence.

Sworne attest. Daniel Rogers Regr. Upon which this will is approved and allowed and the executors as in named approved and accepted this trust.

Source: 0875126: Old series probate records v. 309-310, Bk 9. With thanks to Angela Peterson for supplying the original copy. Transcribed and Copyright S D Jowitt Nov 2000.