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Ann Elizabeth Fortune's Will: On August 10, 1768 Ann Elizabeth (Abigail's Aunt) made her will and named five year old Abigail her heir. Some furniture, her china collection, a silver plate, and some jewelry were saved for Abigail. Everything else was sold and the proceeds put "to Interest on Good Security" until she turned 21, when she would have been a moderately prosperous woman. Unfortunately, after her father died, her mother had to use some of the money to provide food and necessities for the family. Ann Elizabeth left her estate to her niece rather than to James because a decent dowry would get Abigail a financially stable husband. Since he was a boy, James could learn his father's trade and become a craftsman.  |