Robert Moulton

Biography

Robert Moulton's will describes a life at Hampton, on the New Hampshire coast, built around a house, barn, orchard, agricultural tools, and scattered coastal parcels. Born on November 8, 1661, he married Lucy Smith on May 29, 1689. Their four recorded sons—William, Robert, Jeremiah, and Jonathan—were born between 1690 and 1702.

When Robert made his will on May 25, 1727, he distributed marsh and woodland among those sons with considerable care. William was to receive marsh at Little River and part of another tract. Jonathan was left marsh, thatching ground, woodland in the Boar's Head lots, a cow, and a bed with its bedding. Jeremiah received the house, barn, orchard, much of the remaining land, and the farming implements.

That larger inheritance carried an obligation: Jeremiah was to maintain his mother, Lucy, for as long as she remained a widow. Robert also reserved Lucy's own movable possessions for her to dispose of as she wished. His clothing was to be divided equally among the four sons.

Robert died on October 11, 1732; his will was proved the following month.