has gone from me, all the remaining part of my whole estate, both real and personal,—­excepting a small parcel of land of about two acres, that lyeth between Mrs. Walcots and George Wyotts by the highway, which I give to the inhabitants of Salem Village, for a training place for ever.”

The bonds required of the executors by the Probate Court were to the amount of two hundred pounds only, showing that his movable or personal estate was a very moderate one.  There is a feature in the will, which is, I think, worthy of being mentioned, as evincing the excellent judgment and practical wisdom of this man.

“I give to Hannah, my well-beloved wife, the use and improvement of my whole estate during her natural life:  and my will is, that, if my wife should marry again, he that she so marrieth, before she marry, shall give sufficient security to my overseers not to make strip or waste upon any of my estate; and, if he do not become so bound, I give one-half of my whole estate to Benjamin Hutchinson, at the time of my wife’s marriage.”

He did not cut her off entirely, as is sometimes attempted to be done, in the event of a second marriage, but secured her and the estate against suffering in case she took that step.  He adopted an effectual method to prevent any one from seeking to marry her for the purpose of getting the benefit of her whole income and a comfortable establishment upon his property without providing for its preservation; and, if she should be so improvident as to marry again without having his conditions complied with, he took care that she should not thereby expose to injury or loss more than one-half of his estate.  Ingenuity is much exercised in making wills, particularly in reference to the rights, interests, and security of wives.  It is worthy of consideration, whether, all things considered, Nathaniel Ingersoll’s plan is not about as skilful and just as any that has been devised.

We shall meet this man again in the course of our story.  I trust to your good feeling in vindication of the space I have given to his biography; being strongly impressed with a conviction, that you will agree with me,—­taking into view the influence he constantly exerted, his steadfast integrity and honor, his personal dignity and public spirit,—­that the life of this citizen of a retired rural community, this plain “husbandman,” is itself a monument to his memory more truly glorious than many which have been reared to perpetuate the names of men whom the world has called great.  The “training place” has been carefully preserved.  Occupying a central point, by the side of the principal street, this pretty lawn is a fitting memorial of the Father of the village.  In its proper character, as a training-field, it is invested with an interest not elsewhere surpassed, if equalled.  Within its enclosure the elements of the military art have been imparted to a greater number of persons distinguished