James Hamlin was born about 1612. He took the oath of freeman on 1 Mar 1642. He signed a will on 23 Jan 1683.

The last Will and Testament of James Hamlin Senr. of Barnstable.

I being weake in body but throu ye mercy of God of good and disposing mind and memory, and calling to mind ye uncertainty of this transitory life, and being willing to sett things in order as there may be peace and good agreement between my children after my decease, I do make and delare this my last will and testament in manner and forme hereafter mentioned viz:--

Imprimis: I will and bequeath my soul to God who gave it through Jesus Christ, my deare and only Saviour and Redeemer and my body to decent burial as to my Executrix hereafter named shall seeme meete and convenient; and as for my outward estate which God hath been pleased to lend me, my will is that all my debts which are in right or conscience due to any person shall be first duly satisfied and contented. And then my will is that Anne, my loving wife shall have and enjoy all the rest of my estate in whatsoever it be during her natural life for her supporte and livelyhood, and my will is that after her decease in as much as my son James bath had ten pounds already of me, and my son Bartholemew five pounds, and my daughter Hannah, five pounds (according to ye desire of my mother) so my will is that ye rest of my children shall have each of them five pounds, apeace made up to them out of my estate, viz: to my son John five pounds my little feather bed bolster and rugg belonging to it, to be in part or whole thereof as it shall be appraised; and to my daughter Sarah five pounds in ye great fether bed I lye on with ye bolster and rugg belonging thereunto as it shall be appraised; And to my son Eliazer four pounds and five shillings out of my estate which with ye fifteen shillings he owes me on account makes up five pounds to him, And to my son Israel three pounds and eighteen shillings to make up ye bed and coverlett he hath five pounds to him.

Item. My will is that my daughter Sarah shall have two of my platters which shee shall chuse. And my will is that Israel shall have one of my pewter platters as my sons and daughter already married have had each of them one. And my will is that whatsoever of my estate shall remaine after my foresd legacies shall be paid, shall after my wife's decease be equally divided amongst all my children unless my wife shall see cause to will any part or parts unto any of my sd children as shee shall see fit to those that are most dutyful unto her, unto whose liberty my will is it shall be left.

As also to nominate an executor to take place after her decease to see this my last will performed, And here in case shee make any will to dispose of ye overplus as aforesd.

Item. It is my will that Anne my wife be sole Executrix of this my last will and testament so long as shee lives.

In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal this 23 of January Anne Dom' 1683.

                                           JAMES HAMLIN [SEAL.] 
In presence of

         THOS. HINCKLEY, Gov. 
         JONATHAN RUSSELL. 


Gove. Hinckley and Jonathan Russell, witnesses to this will made oath in court October ye 22th 1690, that they saw ye above sd James Hamlin, deceased, signe seal and declare this to be his last will and testament as attest.

                                                   JOSIAH LOTHROP,  Clerk. 


He died in Oct 1690 in Barnstable, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. His estate was probated on 22 Oct 1690 in Barnstable, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. He was also known as James Hamblen. He was married to Ann about 1628 in England.

Ann was born about 1617. She died after 1690. Children were:

i. James Hamlin was baptized on 21 Oct 1630. He died on 24 Oct 1633.
ii. Sarah Hamlin was born on 6 Sep 1632. She died young.
iii. Mary Hamlin was born on 27 Jul 1634.
iv. James Hamlin Jr. was born on 10 Apr 1636 in St. Lawrence parish, Reading, co. Berks, England. He died 4 May 1718.
v. Hannah Hamlin was born about 1638 in England.
vi. Bartholomew Hamlin was born on 11 Apr 1642 in Barnstable, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts.
vii. John Hamblin.
viii. child Hamlin was born before 2 Dec 1646 in Barnstable, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. He (or she) died before 2 Dec 1646 in Barnstable, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. He (or she) was buried on 2 Dec 1646 in Barnstable, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. He (or she) was stillborn.
ix. Sarah Hamlin was born on 7 Nov 1647 in Barnstable, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts.
x. Eleazer Hamlin was born on 17 Mar 1649 in Barnstable, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts.
xi. Israel Hamlin was born on 25 Jun 1652 in Barnstable, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. He died on 2 Jul 1729.