from the Underwood Families of America
Martin Underwood of England, b. 1596, with his wife, Martha Fiske, b. about 1602, [She was reported as 83 at the time of her death in March, 1684. Her age at time of landing, 1634. was 31. Both statements can hardly be true so the above date is an approximation.] arrived in America in the Elizabeth of Ipswich the last of April, 1634, and settled in Watertown, Mass. He was a cordwainer by trade and 38 years of age; his wife, Martha, was 31. His will made 23 Aug., 1663, shows that he had no children. He is not known to be a relative of the other two Watertown settlers of that name although Thomas Underwood appears as one of the witnesses to his will.
Will Of Martin Underwood
August this 23, 1663 In the name of God Amen: I Martaine Underwood dwelling in Watertowne being in perfect memory do ordaine this as my last will and testament,
first I do comend my soul unto God from whome I have received it and my body to the earth believing and expecting a resurecion unto eternal life in and through the meritts of Christ Jesus.
As for my temporall estate I do bequeath it all unto my deare and beloved wife and doe make her sole executor of all my estate wheather lands, chattels, or moveables and after her death
I do give and bequeath my house and homestall and barne with all my lands in Watertowne, and all my rights belonging to me now or may be hereafter unto my kinsman Nathan ffiske [According to Bond, his wife's nephew, son of Nathan Fiske, Sr., her brother.]
Provided that in case my deare wife have need to make use of any part of that estate bequeathed unto my cousin Nathan ffisket for her releife and comfort then it is my minde and will that she shall have full liberty to make sale of any part of the before bequeathed estate for her comfortable subsistence: and farther in case my cousin Nathan ffiske should dye without heyres, executors or assigns it is my minde and will that my cousen John fiske his brother shall inioy all that I have bequeathed unto my Cousen Nathan ffiske:
and further it is my minde and will that in case any of my sisters children should after my decease come over into this country to lay claime to any part of my estate before bequeathed and given: then it is my minde and will that so many of them as shall come over shall have twenty shillings apeece to be paid out of my estate in one thing or another as my executors can best pay
and further it is my minde and will that after my debts and funerall expenses be payed that wtever of my estate shall be left indisposed by my wife and not given by her shall all fall into the hands of my Cousen Nathan fiske: whome it is my desire after my wives death that he should be the heyre and owner thereof: I say him that is my Cousen Nathan fiske his heyres, executors, administrators or asins and in case my kinsman Nathan fiske should dye without heyres, executors, administrators, or assigns, then it is my will that my kinsman John ffiske his brother shall inioy all that my kinsman Nathan fiske should have inioyed if he had lived unto which will and last testament I have set my hand and seale.
Martain Underwood (Seal)
John Eddie
Thomas Underwood.
Martin Underwood d. 17 Nov., 1672.
Martha Fiske Underwood, widow of Martin Underwood, d. 6 March, 1684, ae. 83. Papers relating to the settlement are in the Middlesex Probate. No mention of descendants occurs anywhere in the documents.
