Skip to main content

Primary sourceDocument11 October 1785

Will of General Nathanael Greene

Nathanael Greene · 11 October 1785

Greene's own last will and testament, written in 1785, dividing his property among his wife, children, and brothers.

Greene's own will, written shortly before his death, records his final wishes for his family and property.

Ask Nathanael Greene about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Source: Wikisource

About this source

What it is

This is the text of the last will and testament of Nathanael Greene, written in Newport, Rhode Island, on 11 October 1785. In it Greene leaves his carriages, plate, and furniture to his wife, and divides the rest of his property between his wife and children, with provisions for his brothers if his family line failed.

Why it matters

A will is a direct record of a person's own wishes about family and property at the end of their life. Greene's will shows his care for his wife and children and names his five brothers, giving a glimpse into his family relationships shortly before his death in 1786.

Look closer

  • What does the order in which Greene lists his bequests suggest about his priorities?
  • Why might Greene include detailed instructions for what happens if his children died without heirs?
  • What does a will reveal about a person that a letter or biography might not?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Nathanael Greene on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Nathanael Greene sources

Meet the AI Nathanael Greene →
Handwritten manuscript letter on yellowed, creased paper, folded into sections, written in cursive ink in multiple columns. Visible text includes 'Dorchester near Boston 15 Feby 1784' and a passage about the writer's Continental Army affairs; a note on the right reads 'Inscription for the cannon... Taken from the British and presented to Major General Greene by order of Congress.'Letter

Primary source

Nathanael Greene Papers

Nathanael Greene · 1775–1786

Oval portrait of a man with powdered gray hair, wearing a tan coat with a dark blue collar and gold epaulettes bearing silver stars, and a white cravat. Dark background, gilded oval frame.Painting

Primary source

Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene

Charles Willson Peale · 1783

Black-and-white photograph of an oval miniature portrait of a man with powdered hair, wearing a dark coat and white cravat, against a dark background, set on a blue backdrop.Painting

Primary source

Nathanael Greene

Charles Willson Peale · 1778

Oval painted portrait of a man with powdered gray hair wearing a tan coat with dark blue lapels, gold epaulettes with star insignia, and a white cravat, set against a dark background within a gold frame.Painting

Primary source

Portrait of Nathanael Greene

Charles Willson Peale

Oval miniature portrait painting of a man in a blue military coat with gold-yellow facing, white cravat, and powdered white hair, turned to his left. Gold border with an inscription reading Nathanael Greene, Brigadier-General in the Continental Army, painted from memory 1792.Painting

Secondary source

Nathanael Greene (1742-1786)

John Trumbull · 1792

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Nathanael Greene now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions