1759 Will - Jonathan Reeve
Introduction
Dated: 7 Sep 1759, Bocking, EssexProbated: Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 15 Apr 1767
Recorded: Piece 928 (Legard), folio 45
Transcript
In the Name of God Amen. I Jonathan Reeve of Bocking in the County of Essex Gentleman being in good health and of sound mind memory and understanding (praised be God for the same) do make and ordain 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 thro' the Merits and Mediation of Jesus Christ my blessed Lord and Savior 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 Almigthy God to bestow upon me I dispose thereof as follows (that is to say)
First I give and devise to my cousin Joseph Reeve of Bocking aforesaid Gentleman all and singular my messuages lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever and wheresoever with their and every of them appurtenances to hold to the said Joseph Reeve his heirs and assigns 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 and the like sum of three shillings a week to my Brother William Reeve during the term of their natural lives and the natural life of the survovir of them
Also I give and bequeath to the said Susanna Hammond and William Reeve the sum of twenty pounds a piece to be paid to them respectively within six months next after my decease
Also I give and bequeath to my ppor tenants and workmen the sum of twenty pounds to be distributed amongst them within one month next after my decease by my executor hereinafter named in such shares and proportions as he shall think fit and as to all and singular the goods chattels and personal estate whatsoever (after payment of my just debts funeral charges and probate of this my will)
I give and bequeath the same to my said cousin Joseph Reeve whom I do hereby constitute and appoint sole executor of this y last will and Testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventh day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty nine
Jona. Reeve
Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Jonathan Reeve the testator as and for his last will and testament in our presence and in his presence attested by us
Jno Raven Richd Barnes Jno Thos Baynes
This will was proved at London the fifteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty seven before the right worshipful George May Doctor of Laws Master keeper or commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oaths of Joseph Reeve the sole executor named in the said will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the deceaced having been first sworn by commission duly to administer Exd