Antonio Stradivari's Testament - page 1

c. 1

The 24th of January 1729 in Cremona

I Antonio Stradivari wish this to be
My last will while I am of
sound mind and body and mind.
Immediately after my death, I wish to be brought to
San Domenico and immediately fifty masses
shall be said over the body
and I command that my son Francesco be
my heir and I wish that he remain together with
my daughter Catterina and my wife and Giuseppe
and Paolo my son until death in
this house, and I wish Francesco to be the master
of the Workshop and the room behind it and the
room where I sleep in which I am now
I wish my daughter Catterina to be the owner
of the garden, that is, of the 4 thousand lire
with the interest, but half of the interest
she must give to my daughter Don Rosa
Maria who is a nun in Mantua
in the Convent of the Holiest Annunciation of S. Giorgio

c. 2

Giuseppe is the owner of the six thousand
lire which I have upon the house of Signor Francesco
Ponzetti in the parish of Sant’Agata
and I wish that to my son Paolo be given six thousand
lire and six more if he will become a merchant
I wish that my wife be given her
dowry and the clothing that she has and also the gold
and one thousand lire more in cash to remain together
with the mother until death
to my son don Alessandro shall be rendered
a capital of 4 thousand lire to enjoy
as long as he lives.
……………
Francesco must maintain Chatterina
and my wife and they shall have the enjoyment
of the house as long as they live and share
until either one of them dies that is
Giuseppe and Paolo shall remain together always

c. 3

and the Obonomo, if he might wish to have his portion
shall be given three thousand lire of debt that
I spent for him in part sent
to Naples and for his return and other expenses
paid for him in Cremona
and if there is more it shall be divided
amongst all of them
and the one hundred filippi that I gave to
Signor Antonio Barocino I wish it to belong to
Caterina the principal as well as the interest.