Wills of John Terel/Terrill and His Wife
of New London, Connecticut
(not the son of Roger¹ of Milford, Connecticut)
Both Probated 11 March 1711/12

Transcriptions and comments by Nancy Tyrrel Theodore, April 2010

There has been some confusion regarding the identity of John, the son of Roger¹ Terrill of Milford, Connecticut. Some have claimed that John of New London is the son of Roger. However, that has been thoroughly disproven by early land records for Milford, Connecticut, including a deed that clearly states John is of Milford, his "honoured" father, deceased, is of Milford, and names his brother Daniel (see "John² Deed of Sale 20/22 June 1696").

Further, the children of John² and his wife, Abigail, of Milford, left a lasting record of their care for their elderly parents (see "The Honoured John² and Abigail Terrill and Their Children") through deed arrangements, the latest dated 22 March 1720/21.

All of this makes it absolutely clear that the John of New London, whose will was probated at New London on 11 March 1711/12, could not possibly be the John who is the son of Roger of Milford. John's wife, Sarah (Wiley), also left a will, which was probated at the same time in New London. For more on John and Sarah of New London see "John Terrill of New London" in DOR newsletter Vol. 5, No. 3, p. 5-25 on this site.

To complete the record, following are the will transcriptions for John of New London, who died first, and Sarah (with a link to a copy of each original document). It will be noted that no children are named and that John's entire estate was left to his wife Sarah. Sarah distributed the estate to her cousin Thomas Wiley, her sister Tubs, and other of her cousins.

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Will of John Terel/Terrill of New London

LDS Film # 1025053, Probate #5252
See the Original 2.9 MB

Recorded Book A
Page 530

Mar 11 1711/12

[Will] The Last Will and testement of John Terel of New London being now Sick al tho of perfect memery O Lord Amen I give my spirit sole to god that gave it beseching him of his mercy to Reseive it and my body to the earth to be desently buryed by my execterx my Just debts being first payed. I give and bequeth All my estate both Reele and personal to my loveing wif Sarah and to be at her dispose and I do appoint my Wif to be my executrix to this my Last Will and testement and do by this my Last Will mack nul and void al or aney Aher [other] Writing made by me before

Dated in new London Februry 26^th 1711/12 Sined and seled in presens of us

[Probate] M^r Jonathan Prentts and Samuel Chapman and Rich^d Attwell wittnesses to the above Instrument personally appeared in a Court of Probate held in New London March the 11^th 1711/2 and made solemn Oath that they saw John Terrill the Testator Sign and Seal this Instrument, and heard him declare the same to be his last Will & Testam^t and that at the doing thereof He was of Sound and disposing minde and memory To the best of their knowledge and that they subscribed to it as wittnesses.

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Will of Sarah Terel/Terrill of New London

LDS Film # 1025053, Probate #5254
See the Original 2.9 MB

Sarah Terrill

March 11
1711/12
Recorded Book A
Page 530

[Will] The Last Will and testement of Sarah Terel of New London Releck to John Terel _^ ^late of Nlondon desed being now sick Al though of perfet memorey knowing my time herone can not be long do join my sole to god that gave it [to] me beseching him of his mercy to Reseive it and my body to the earth to be desently intered by my exceuter All my Just debts being first payed

I give and be queath to Cusen Thomas Wiley my dweling hous and Land with all housing on it in new london which I now dwel in he paying all funeral Charges and all my Charges in my sixnes [sickness].

I give al the Remeinder of ^my estate to my Sister tubs and cusens herre after Named to be equeley devided a mongst them Which are herre after Named to wit Sammuel tubs Wilm tubs Isack tubs Joseph tubs ^{John tubs} Mary Samson bethich Chapman ^mercy Mecy Leech Joannah bordenton Sarah beb John spenser hanah spenser Issack Wiley John Wiley Mary homes Abel Wiley Isbel benet Joan bayly Issack spensser and I do mack thomas Wiley my executer this my Will dated in Nlondon March 3^rd 1712 Sined and Seled in presens of Us wittnesses

[Probate] Mr Jonathan Prentts Mr Samuel Rogers Jun^r & Richard Attwell Wittnesses to the above Instrument personally appeared in a Court of Probate held in N. London March y^e 11^th 1711/2 and made Oath that they saw Mrs. Sarah Terrill [continued on cover sheet] The Testator Signe and Seal this Instrument and heard Her declare the same to _^^be Her last Will and Testament and that at the doing therof shee was of sound & disposing minde and memory according to the best of their knowledge and thus they set their hands to it as wittnesses.

Thomas Willey of New London Executor of the Last Will and Testament of Mrs. Sarah Terrill Late of New London Deceased, appeared in a Court of Probate held in New London March the 11^th 1711/2 and made Oath that he gave to the apprizers a true account of the Estate of said Mrs. Terrill according to the best of his knowledge, and if anything further appear to be her estate that is Considerable He will add it to this Inventory.