Will of William Cornwall of Middletown 1704/5

William Cornwall ; William / Samuel / William, was born in Middletown, Connecticut on January 22, 1672. William died as a young man December 25, 1704. He did not leave a will but there is a probate file recorded in the Hartford Probate District with a date listed “1704/5”. We have references to his family in the probate file. His wife is listed by the clerks as Ester, “Ester Cornwell Relick of William Cornwell”, as Esther Cornwall and as Hester Cornwall. In the two places where she adds her signature she signs her name as Hester Cornell. The various spellings reflect the conventions of the day. The names Ester, Esther and Hester were used interchangeable. The Cornwall family used three different spellings for their name Cornwall, Cornwell, and Cornell. On the inventory page of the probate file is listed his two daughters, “Jemima aged 5 years, and Lois aged 3 years”. Click to enlarge