Hazelbury Bryan

The Last Will & Testament of Richard CROSS (1796) of Hazelbury Bryan

Transcribed and donated to the Dorset OPC project by Jan Hibberd
[Note paragraphs added to improve readability]

 

In the name of God Amen, I Richard CROSS of Kingston in the parish of Haselbury Briant and county of Dorset, Yeoman, being of a sound and disposing mind and memory, and calling to mind the certainty of death I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, hoping through the merits of Christ my Saviour, that my sins will be pardoned and my soul made happy to all eternity.

And as for my body, I commit it to my Mother Edith, from whence it was first taken, to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner.

And as for my wordly affairs which the Almighty hath been so well placed to entrust me with, I give and dispose of them in form and manner following, that is to say viz.

First-I will and direct that all my just debts and funeral expences be paid by my hereinafter Executors.

Item-I give and bequeath unto Thomas ROSE, Ann ROSE, Mary ROSE and Christian ROSE, the children of my niece Mary ROSE deceased, the sum of twenty pounds each of them, as they survive to the age of twenty one years old but and if they are not survived to the age at my death, I Will and direct that they shall receive lawful interest for the same till they shall attain -- and each to be paid their parts as they come of age.

Item-I give and bequeath unto my nephew John CHAPMAN the sum of eighty pounds.

Item-I give and bequeath unto my niece Susanna SHITLER and her heirs, one dwelling house with one plot of ground, thereto belonging with all and every of its appurtenances lying and being at Wonston in Haselbury Briant aforesaid, known by the name of Dunfords tenement (for ever) likewise the sum of forty pounds to be hand paid unto her for her own use.

Item-I give and bequeath unto my niece Rose HARDY, the sum of sixty pounds.

Item-I give and bequeath unto my nephew Richard CHAPMAN, the sum of forty pounds and likewise to -- and his heirs, two plots of ground, known by the name of Heather? Stutt? and the Birds Nest, with all and every of its appurtenances, hereto belonging in the parish of Haselbury Briant aforesaid for ever.

Item-I give and bequeath unto my niece (and her heirs) Ann DAVIS an estate with all and every of its appurtenances thereto belonging, known and called by the name of Maltons, lying on Wonston Causeway in Haselbury aforesaid (for ever)

Likewise I give unto my niece Ann DAVIS my feather bed, bedstead, bolsters, pillows, quilts, sheets, blanketts and all and every of its furniture thereto belonging. All and every of my aforesaid legacies to be paid by my hereinafter Executors out of my goods and chattels.

Item-I give and bequeath unto my sister Mary CROSS, the sum of twenty five pounds per year to be paid her by even and quarterly payments out of my original estate at and round Kingston, with one cottage house and part of a garden hereto belonging, being at Kingston, for and during her natural life.

Item-All the rest and residue of my lands at Haselbury Briant aforesaid and elsewhere at my death which is or shall be in my possession before and at that time, I give and bequeath unto my nephew Thomas ROLLS and his heirs forever, with all and every of its appurtenances thereto belonging, only paying my sister Mary CROSS, the sum of twenty five pounds yearly by quarterly payments out of the same for and during his natural life as before express and after her death, I Will and direct that the cottage house and the part of the garden thereto belonging, shall be unto my nephew Thomas ROLLS and his heirs as before expressed.

Item-All the rest, residue and remainder of my goods, chattels, moneys, bills, bonds, debts and household furniture be it of what nature or kind whatsoever, moveable or unmoveable, be it in whose custody or profession whatever at or after my death, I give and bequeath it unto my nephews, Thomas ROLLS and Edward DAVIS, equally to be divided among them, nominating, constituting and appointing them the whole and sole Executors of this my Testament, all former Wills or any other writings that hath any claim on my estate and effects, I make it null and void and to be of none effect, acknowledging this only to be my Last Will and Testament, given under my hand and seal this nineteenth day of March in the year of our Lord Christ, 1796.

Signed, sealed, published and delivered by Richard CROSS the Testator in the presence of us, James DAVIS, Mary ANDREWS, Nicholas ANDREWS.

On April 30th 1796, the within written Will of Richard CROSS late of Haselbury Briant in the county of Dorset and diocese of Bristol deceased, was proved by the oath of Thomas ROLLS and Edward DAVIS the nephews and joint Executors therein named to whom Administration was granted, they being first sworn upon the Holy Evangelists well and faithfully to perform the same to make a true and perfect inventory of the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased and to exhibit the same unto the Registry of the Court of the Bishop of Bristol and to pass a just account thereon which therein to lawfully read.

Sworn before me Thomas TOPP---- Under £800

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