1759 Will - Thomas Reeve
Introduction
Dated: 8 Jun 1759, Stisted, EssexProbated: Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 9 Jan 1760
Recorded: Piece 852 (Lynch), folio 262
Transcript
In the Name of God Amen. I Thomas Reeve of Stisted in the County of Essex yeoman being sick and weak in Body but of sound mind memory and understanding praise be God for the same do make and prdain this my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say)First I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my creator hoping for pardon of all my sins through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ my blessed Lord and Saviour and my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executor hereinafter named and as to what worldly estate it has pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me I dispose thereof as follows (that is to say)
First I do hereby will and ordain that all my just Debts shall be paid by my executor as soon as conveniently may be after my decease also I give and devise to my Brother Jonathan Reeve all that my messuage or tenement and farm called Martin otherwise Fenn together with the yards gardens orchards lands meadows pastures woodgrounds and Appurtenances thereunto belonging and also Phillips Mead White ash or caveliers to hold to my said Brother Jonathan Reeve and his heirs for ever charged nevertheless and I do hereby make the same chargeable with the payment of the sum of three shillings a week to my sister Susanna Hammond during her natural life and also chargeable with the payment of the like sum of three shillings a week to my Brother William Reeve during the term of his natural life
Also I give and bequeath to my said Brother Jonathan Reeve all the interest and term of years that shall be subsisting at the time of my decease in my Lease of Rain-Watch farm
Also I give and bequeath to my cousin Joseph Reeve (son of my late Brother Joseph Reeve deceased) the sum of fifty pounds
Also I give and bequeath to my said Brother and sister William Reeve and Susanna Hammond the sum of twenty pounds apiece also I give and bequeath to my housekeeper Rebecca ?ohnes the sum of twelve pounds and twelve shillings all which said legacies I will and order shall be paid by my executor within six months next after my decease also I give and bequeath to my said Brother William Reeve such part of my household goods as my said Brother Jonathan Reeve shall think sufficient and necessary to furnish one room also I give and bequeath to Robert Finch my tenant and workman all my wearing apparel
Also I give and bequeath to the two younger sons of my kinswoman Mary Jackson deceased the sum of fifteen pounds apiece to be paid to them when they shall attain their respective ages of one and twenty years also I give and bequeath to my workmen Isaac Ogles and John Taylor the elder and to my tenant Henry Man the sum of forty shillings apiece to be paid to them respectively within one month next after my decease
And as to all other my goods chattels and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever, after payment of my just debts funeral charges and probate of this my will I give and bequeath the same to my said Brother Jonathan Reeve whom I do hereby constitute and appoint sole executor of this my last Will and Testament
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighth day of June one thousand seven hundred and fifty nine.
Thos Reeve
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Thomas Reeve the testator as and for his last will and testament in our presence and in his presence attested by us. The words (during her natural life) and likewise the words (also I give and bequeath to the two younger sons of my kinswoman Mary Jackson deceased the sum of fifteen pounds apiece to be paid to them when they shall attain their respective ages of one and twenty years) being first interlined
Richd Baynes Joseph Tanner Jno Thos Baynes
This will was proved at London the ninth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty before the worshipfull Andrew Coltee Durarel? Doctor of laws surrogate of the Right worshipfull Edward Simpson also Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the prerogative court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Jonathan Reeve the Brother of the deceased and sole executor named in the said will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased he having been first sworn duly to administer.