Mercy Williams 10th great aunt on RootsMagic tree

Mercy Williams was born in Providence Rhode Island 1640 to Roger and Mary Barnard Williams, original settlers of Providence. At age 20 or so Mercy married Resolved Waterman, his family also original settlers of Providence. In the summer of 1670  Resolved died and Mercy was a widow at age 30.  Widow Mercy Williams Waterman was called to Court several times to finalize her late husband’s estate.

Mercy ignored these summons or letters through the fall 1670 and into winter of 1671. Maybe because her heart was broken.

“Januarey ye 9th: 1671 William Carpenter; Roger Williams, Thomas Olney senr: William Harris, John Sayles, and Thomas Olney junr; ffor as much as much time hath benn spent in adjetation and debate in matters as to the settling of ye Estate of the deceased Resolved Waterman, and nothing yet brought to a Conclusion; it is therefore ordred and agreed upon that ye Councill doe send for, and desire John Throckmorton, John Whipple senr:  Gregorey Dexter, John Browne, Christophar Smith, and  Thomas Arnold senr: to meete with ye said Councill upon munday ye 16th of this instant about 9 of ye clock in ye Morning at ye house of John Whipple senr: there to lend theire advice and give theire aprehentions as Concerning ye setlement of ye said Estate. The meeteing is adjorned unto ye 16th: instant, 9 in ye Morning.”
Page 103

At the next meeting January 23, 1671:
“Mercy Waterman
The towne Councill hath often mett about ye settlement of yor husband (who is lately deceased) his Estate: They have at last come to a detirmination and have appoynted yourselfe ye Exsecutrix, to Administer upon ye Said Estate; The Councill being now againe mett doe request your presence now at ye house of John whipple senr: to take a letter of Administeration from us & also to give in bond Concerning ye premises.”
Page 104

Mercy appeared before the Court, probably on January 23, and she does not accept any power of Administration nor any bond. The Court considers Mercy’s response and seems to ignore it saying Mercy is responsible for the estate.
Page 105 

Resolved’s inventory from August 29, 1670 is listed and directly after “Nathaniell Waterman, who by the Towne Councill was appoynted as next of ye Kinn, to take an Jnventarey.” and then a line drawn as if the matter is closed, and there is nothing else regarding Mercy and the estate of Resolved Waterman.
Page 107

At HathiTrust: Providence (R.I.). Record Commissioners. The Early Records of the Town of Providence, V. 1-21, Providence: Snow & Farnham, city printers, 1892-1915
Catalog page at HathiTrust https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/008651161