Will of Joseph Manuel
Gentleman of Beer Regis in Dorset


Dated 8th January 1763 and proved 9th April 1764
(Nat Archives Ref 11/897)


Transcribed by Robert Barr for the OPC website - July 2010

This is the Last Will and Testament of me Joseph Manuel of Beer Regis in the County of Dorset Gentleman made and published this Eighth Day of January in the Year of Our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and sixty three, 

First: I give and devise unto my son Joseph Manuel All those my lands tenements and hereditaments with their and every of their rights members and appurtenances situate lying and being in Beer Regis aforesaid to have and to hold the same unto my said son Joseph and his assigns for and during the term of his natural life and from and after his decease I give and devise the same unto the issue of his body lawfully begotten,

And in case my said son Joseph shall happen to depart this life without issue, Then and in such case I give and devise the same lands tenements and hereditaments with their and every of their rights members and  appurtenances unto my grandson Joseph Sparks the youngest son of my son-in-law Isaac Sparks to have and to  hold the same unto my said grandson Joseph Sparks and to his assigns for and during the term of his natural life and from and after his decease I give and devise the same unto the issue of his body lawfully begotten,

And in case my said grandson Joseph Sparks shall happen to dye without issue of his body lawfully begotten, Then I give and devise the same unto my grandson Isaac Sparks the second son of my said son-in-law Isaac Sparks to have and to  hold the same unto my said grandson Isaac Sparks and to his assigns for and during the term of his natural life and from and after his decease I give and devise the same unto the issue of his Body lawfully begotten

And in case my said grandson Isaac Sparks shall happen to dye without Issue of his body lawfully begotten Then I give and devise the same unto my grandson William Sparks the eldest son of my said son-in-law Isaac Sparks to have and to hold the same unto my said grandson William Sparks and to his assigns for and during the term of his natural life and from and after his decease I give and devise the same unto the issue of his body lawfully begotten

And if my said grandson William Sparks shall happen to dye without issue Then and in such case I give and devise the same lands tenements and hereditaments with their and every of their rights members and appurtenances unto and amongst all and every the daughters of my said son-law Isaac Sparks on the body of my daughter Meriam Sparks begotten or to be begotten and to their heirs and assigns for ever as tenants in common and not as joint tenants

I also give devise and bequeath unto my said son Joseph Manuel all my leasehold estates situate lying and being in Beer Regis aforesaid or elsewhere to have and to hold the same unto my said son Joseph his executors administrators and assigns for and all during all the rest residue and remainder of such term  and terms of  years as shall or may be to come therein at the time of my decease

And Lastly all the rest residue and remainder of my lands tenements goods chattels {?} of all sorts bills mortgages bonds rents ready money and securities for money and all other my personal estate of what  nature or kindsoever or wheresoever I give devise and bequeath unto my said son Joseph Manuel To have and to hold unto my said son Joseph Manuel his heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns for ever and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint here my said son Joseph sole and whole executor  of this my said last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all former and other Wills  by me at any time heretofore made 

In Witness whereof the said testator Joseph Manuel have to this my said last Will and Testament contained in two sheets of paper set my hand and seal the said eighth day of January one thousand seven hundred and sixty three

/ Jos: Manuel/ signed sealed and delivered published and declared by the said Testator Joseph Manuel as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who subscribe our names as witnesses hereto at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other
Jos. Brixey/ Jos. Brixey junior/ Thos. Bartlett


This Will was proved at London the ninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty four before the Right worshipful Sir Edward Simpson Knight Doctor of Laws  master keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Joseph Manuel the son and sole executor named in the said Will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased having been first sworn by Commission Duly to administer.


Genealogical Notes:-
(1). Isaac Sparks married Meriam Manuel in St John the Baptists church Bere Regis on 13th December 1758. (CLDS Bishops Transcripts extraction programme). Meriam the daughter of Joseph Manuel the subject of this Will was born 4 Dec 1738 and baptised 26th December that year at Bloxworth Dorset.

(2). Isaac Sparks [1727-1787/8] was the son of William Sparks [1700-1789] of Dorchester and his will has already been transcribed and is available on this site. As will be seen from the genealogical notes against that Will, the above marriage to Meriam Manuel [1738-1811] was Isaac Sparks 2nd marriage.

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