The Will of Richard Allestree D.D.

One of my great great great great great great great great grandmothers, on my father's side was Rachel Stanier née Allestree, whose monument appears in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Uppington, Shropshire.

The monument mentions her brother, Richard Allestree, D.D., my eight-greats granduncle, who was a clergyman of some distinction - Regius Professor of Divinity in the University of Oxford -, whose extraordinary life is set out in this extract from the Dictionary of National Biography 1885-1900. 

I have tracked down Dr Allestree's Last Will and Testament (The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11; Class: PROB 11; Piece: 367) and transcribe it here. His bequests include a library of 3,500 books which are today at Christ Church Oxford. The library has a mediaeval tiled floor and further information is to be found on the Ashmolean website.

John Fell, John Dolben and Richard Allestree by Peter Lely © Christ Church Oxford

In The Name of God Amen I Richard Allestree of the University of Oxford Doctor of Divinity Provost of Eaton and Cannon of Christ Church in Oxford being indisposed as to my health but of good and perfect mind and memory Doe make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following Commending my Soul to God that gain it and my Body to the Earth to be decently and privatily buried And for that Estate which it has pleased God to bless me withall I dispose thereof as followeth And in the ffirst place I Doe hereby Ratify and Confirm the Deed of Trust I have made to the Chancellor Masters and Schollers of the University of Oxford of my Study of Books for such ends and purposes and under the Trust therein mentioned and Expressed And for the Residue of my Estate I give and dispose thereof as followeth In Primis I give and bequeath my Consilia Regia Parisiienti of neare fforty volumes of Great Royall Paper being in the Room behind my Study in Oxford to Eaton Coll: Library (Catalogue Entry here) Item I give all the Rest of my Books in the said Room (Except ffrench faind storyes and suchlike Books which I give to the Bishop of Oxon [John Fell D.D.] to do what he will with) And also the Books in the Box under the Window in my Study my Mathematicall Instruments in that Window And the Globes in the Room behind my Study and the Earle of Castlemaines Globe with the Booke belonging to it and all my optics Glasses (Except the longest of sixteene foote long which I give to Christ Church Mathematicall Study) And the Books



behind my Bed Chamber att Eaton I give and bequeath to my Three Nephews John Stanyer John Corbett and Richard Blakeway Students of Christ Church to be divided amongst them as my Lord Bishop of Oxford shall direct Item I give and bequeath unto my said Lord Bishop of Oxford All my Lectures in sticht sheetes or Transferred in Books for those uses and on those Conditions that I signified to him by a Letter on the nyneteenth of this instant January not doubting But they will be observed And therefore I wholly give them to him Item All my written Sermons and other writings I give to my said Three Nephews to be divided by my said Lord Bishop of Oxon Item I doe humbly give and bequeath unto said Lord Bishop of Oxon my Scrutore and Long Pendulum Clock standing in my Study at Oxon Item I give unto my deare ffriend Mr Phillip ffell ffellow of Eaton College my Scutore in my Chamber att Eaton and my little Regulator watch Item I give unto my servant Francis Welman the sume of twenty pounds beside his wages and my lesser Mares which I used to Ride on And whatever of my Apparel or Gownes he shall think fitt to tak (Excepting both my Scarlett Gownes and Hoodes) Item I give unto my Maid Elizabeth Arden the sume of ten pounds beside her wages And to my Groome and Coachman ffifty shillings a peice besides their wages and Liveries just given them Item I give and bequeath the sume of Twenty pounds to the poore of Eaton To be put into their Stock and managed as it is usually by the College and Towne Item Whereas I have at Pateshall Estate att Uppington and elsewhere in the County of Salop 

Out of the Rents and Proffitts whereof my Brother Stanyer and his wife have received the sume of Two Hundred pounds My Brother and sister Corbett the sume of One Hundred pounds And my sister Blakeway the like sume of One Hundred pounds (The Interest of which sumes I forgive my said Brothers and Sisters) And my Brother and sister Stanton have received Nothing My will is that out of all and singular my Estate goods and Chattells not hereby otherwise given and disposed My said Brother and sister Corbett shall have and receive One Hundred pounds more My sister Blakeway One Hundred pounds more And my Brother and sister Stanton the sume of Two Hundred pounds to make them equall wiith my said Brother and sister Stanyer And afterwards I give and bequeath the Residue and remainder of my Estate goods and Chattells whatsoever unto my said ffoure sisters whom I doe make my Joynt Executrices and impower them and Every of them to give and dispose of these severall parts and shares to whom they shall think fitt haveing a partiality in respect to my Goddaughter Item I do desire my said deare ffriend Mr Phillip ffell to take care to see me interred according to the directions I have given and to see the Charges of my ffunerall and Sicknisse defrayed Lastly revoaking all other will by me made I declare this to be my Last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal the Three and Twentieth day of January in the yeare of our Lord God One Thousand Six Hundred and Eighty And in the Thirty Second yeare of the Raigne of our Soveraigne Lord King Charles the Second

over England pro Rich: Allestree Memorandum after the words above interlined (are) (in my Study my Mathematicall Instruments in that (window) The word (Stet) in another place And the word (daughters) over the obliterations. The Testator did sign seal pubblish and declare this to be his last will and Testament in the presence of us Anne Clerke John Went Thomas Whitfeild

Probatum fuit Testamentum supra scriptum apud London coram Ven[erabil]i et Egregio viro Duo Leolino Jenkins Milite Legum D[o]cto[re] Curia Praerogativa Cant[uariensis] Ma[g]istro Custode sive Commisario L[egi]time Constituto [ ] die mensis Augusti Anno Dei Mill[es]imo Sexcentisimo Ottogi[nti]simo Primo Anno Mentis Maria Stanton Rachaelis Stanier Juditha Corbet et Margareta Blakeway Executrices in hujusmodi Testamento nominati cui Commissa fuit Administratio omnium et singulorum bonorum jurium et creditorum dicti defuncti De Bene et fideliter Administrand' ead'm Ad S'cta Dei Evangelia (vigore Commissionis) Jurat.

The above-written will was proved at London before the Worshipful Master Leoline Jenkins Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commisary of the Prerorogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted on the [ ] day of the month of August in the year of Our Lord one thousand sixteen hundred and eighty one by the oaths of Maria Stanton Rachel Stanier Judith Corbett and Margaret Blakeway Executrixes to whom were granted administration of all and singular the good rights and credits of the said deceased to well and faithfully adminster the same Sworn on the Holy Gospels of God, by power of commission. 

Castlemaine's Globe - a further note may be found here.

© Julian Parker 2024

1718 - 1729 The comparative value of an early 18th century Windsor chair

The Regional Furniture Society 2018 Journal included an article about the earliest known Windsor chair maker ever recorded, Joseph Newton of Fenton, Lincolnshire, who placed two advertisements in the Stamford Mercury during 1725 and 1729. In 1725 he stated that his chairs could be found for viewing at Newark and Grantham, along with the price of an individual chair, namely 7s 6d each, plus an extra 6d if transport by water to Lincoln was required. In the 1729 advertisement his chairs could be found for viewing at Newark, Grantham and Nottingham, the cost remaining 7s 6d, but the water transport to Nottingham, Gainsborough or Lincoln now being only 3d. He also stated that he had furnished a great many Gentlemen and Gardeners with his chairs: this implies that he was producing substantial Windsor chairs for use in the garden, often referred to as Forest chairs.

It can be difficult to exactly gauge the comparative value of an individual chair in the context of when it was produced. An inspection of the Lincoln archives catalogue by fellow researcher Julian Parker revealed the following entry:

Lincoln Cathedral Library: Account Book including: coroners' verdicts 1660; household accounts 1718-1729;  inventories of goods of Bishop Sanderson (1663) and Anne Sanderson (1669). Account book including: debts owed by and inventories of Robert Sanderson (bishop's son) 1663-1667; household accounts 1681-1709; rent accounts 1826-1866; tenancy agreements 1860. Loose papers 1674-1822. Date: 1660-1866 Repository: Lincolnshire Archives [057]Date: 1660-1866 D&C/LIB/21

This looked promising: handwritten notes and accounts from exactly the period came to hand. It had been written by various people over many years, recording prices paid for services, food and various objects. Within the folio are 38 pages of neatly written notes, recording the weekly household expenditure between Ladyday (26th March) 1718 until September 1722. An entry for the week ending 20th March 1719 gives a clue as to the writer, here it states " clothes and other things for Mr Caudwell " for a value of £7-5s-9d and the next line reveals " clothes and other things for myself " for £5-16s-9d. This would indicate that the ledger was being kept Mrs Caudwell as housekeeper for her husband. 

Records elsewhere reveal that a William Caudwell was vicar at Flitton, Bedfordshire from 1671 for 51 years and died on 20 September 1722. This fits exactly with the accounts as immediately after that date, the writer records moving to board at Pulloxhill which is adjacent to Flitton. Also, in the accounts there are references to Silso and Ampthill, which are close by as well. It would appear that Mr Caudwell had held a position of some considerable importance at Lincoln Cathedral towards the end of his life. At this period Flitton was, perhaps remarkably to the modern eye, part of the Diocese of Lincoln.

Within the 38 pages is a simple entry which unwittingly helps us hugely in judging the value of one of Newton's chairs. During the week of 25th July 1720, the author "paid the carpenter for a day's work" the amount of 1s-6d. We will probably never know the name of this tradesman but as he is denoted as a carpenter then it's fair to assume that he was someone who had completed an apprenticeship and was now working as a journeyman or even a master. This also directly implies that if he had been employed for 5 days then the earnings would have been exactly 7s-6d, the same price as one of Newton's chairs. Here then, we have the direct equivalent value of a locally-made Forest chair from a primary source. A similar entry is made on 2nd February 1718 where it is noted that Jack Pepper was paid one shilling for a day's work. It is telling that no trade or profession is associated with his name and it could be that he was paid for a day's labouring, which would equate to two thirds of a carpenter's day rate.

There is one more simple entry that will intrigue the furniture historian, namely that on 6th October 1718 two words are clearly written: " chair bottoming " followed by the sum of 3½d. Was this the sum paid to a local tradesman or a peripatetic artisan in return for renewing the rushing on a simple turnpin chair?

Update: William mentioned the carpenter's 1s 6d during the Zoom discussion after Julian Parker's RFS lecture on Early Lincolnshire Chairs in February 2021. A few days later, Jeremy Rycroft, a fellow RFS member kindly wrote the following observations:

"I inevitably started thinking about costs of manufacture and pricing of chairs.

The charge of 1/6d per day for a master craftsman working 'on site' should represent his earning power as a master and you might say it covers his labour costs plus an allowance for travel and maintaining tools. That could mean he might not earn quite as much in a workshop.

The prices quoted for chairs of 7/6d (was that delivered and the basic price 7/-.) has to cover a range of things:

- cost of wood - or cost of maintaining one's own coppice

- wages costs

- overheads of running a workshop

- a margin which hopefully would equate to significantly more than 7/6 per week for the owner  based on a weekly throughput of numbers of chairs.

The wages costs could be of apprentices and/or journeymen and so lower than 1/6 a day. However when you consider wood and a share of workshop overheads and management costs/profit, I suspect the owner would be trying to recover more than 1/6 per day, per employee. This suggests to me very strongly that he would need to be able to finish a chair with less than 5 days labour.

The other circumstantial evidence is that he promised to deliver within the week, I think. You have to create a stock level for deliveries and then replenish as orders come in. You may be able to call on outworkers to supplement manufacture when demand was high, and lay off some staff when it drops. However, even with the option of 'sub-contract labour', you will run up a backlog of orders if you cannot complete chairs in a little less than the promised week (to allow for delivery).

I think it would be sensible to think that a chair might take about four days' labour. 

I think the speed of a craftsman in his 20's or 30's regularly doing the same chair-making processes for maybe years would just be so much faster than someone doing a range of processes for bespoke orders in his later life. (Life expectancy is I think quoted as being not much over 40 in the early 18th century, although this includes the 1/8th of the population that died within 12 months of birth, so first year survivors on average lived till about 46, I calculate. But assuming a working life of 20-40 years for a craftsman seems reasonable.)

If you watch a really good blacksmith or 'chair seat rusher', or wood carver, or straw dolly maker or even knitter (!) they are pretty fast and look it. Most of us probably type no faster than 20 words per minute, unless we have had training; in the companies where I have worked 40 words per minute got a basic proficiency award, but top secretaries could do over 60 wpm. The record is apparently around 300 wpm! Shorthand has a similar spread - with say 100 wpm being a basic standard but to do Hansard you needed to do 200 wpm!!)

In an age that doesn't really depend on large amounts of manual labour and manual dexterity, I think we have forgotten how fast and accurate skilled craftsmen were, and probably had to be to guarantee work for their families. When my grandfather visited the US, he was surprised to discover that to join the Bricklayers Union you had to achieve a particular rate of laying bricks - so even Unions were concerned about work rate!!"

© William Sergeant 2020 and Jeremy Rycroft 2021

Will of Richard Stanier (d. 1751) of Pepperhill and Cosford Grange, Shropshire

The will of my great great great great great grandfather, Richard Stanier, of Pepperhill and Cosford Grange, Shropshire. The passage in blue is a magnificent mid-18th century piece of legal drafting.

In the Name of God Amen I Richard Stanier of Peperhill in the County of Salop Esquire being of sound and Perfect Memory do make my last Will and Testament in manner following Whereas I did by Indentures of Lease and Release bearing date respectively the ninth and tenth days of December in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred & thirty Six the Release being Quadrupartite and expressed to be made between me the said Richard Stanier of the one Part and Sarah Bach of Birmingham in the County of Warwick Widow and Sarah my Wife by her then Name and Description of Sarah Bach the Younger only child of the said Sarah Bach by John Bach of Birmingham aforesaid Ironmonger deceased of the second Part and Robert Aglionby Slaney of Walton in the County of Salop Esquire of the third Part and Richard Rann of Birmingham aforesaid Gentleman of the fourth Part in Consideration of a Marriage then intended and soon after had and solemnized between me the said Richard Stanier and the said Sarah Bach and her Portion and for other Considerations therein mentioned Grant and convey unto the said Robert Aglionby Slaney and his Heirs all that Mannor or reputed Mannor of Cosford alias Gosford in the County of Salop with the Rights Members and Appurtenances thereof and all that Mansion House Capital Messuage or Tenement situate lying and being in the Parish of Albrighton in the said County of Salop called or known by the Name of Cosford alias Gosford Grainge heretofore in the Tenure or Occupation of Bartholomew Martin and Giles Martin and then of Edward Martin his Undertenants or Assigns and all those Lands Meadows Leasows Pastures Woods Underwoods and all other Lands and Hereditaments used occupied or enjoyed therewith or appertaining thereunto lying and being within the several Townships or Parishes of Cosford alias Gosford Albrihgton (sic) and Dunnington in the said County of Salop or in any of them and all that other Messuage Mansion House or Tenement commonly known by the name of Hatton House or Hatton Hall within the Parish of Brewood in the County of Stafford then and now in the Possession of Thomas Plimley his Undertenants or Assigns and all Lands Meadows Leasows Pastures Woods Underwoods and other Lands and Hereditaments thereunto belonging and all other the Messuages Cottages Houses Edifices Orchards Gardens Dovehouses Lands Tenements Meadows Leasows Pastures ffeedings Woods Underwoods Commons Ways Waters Wasts Heaths ffirzes Watercourses ffishings Ponds Pools Moors Marshes Warrens Rents Services Royalties Priviledges Jurisdictions Liberties and Advantages Comodities Emoluments Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever unto the said Mannor or reputed Mannor Messuages ...

Tenements ffarms Lands Hereditaments and Premises or to any of them belonging or in any wise appertaining and all other the ffreehold Messuages Tenements Lands and Hereditaments whatsoever I the said Richard Stanier or that any other person or persons in Trust for me were Seized or Possessed of interested in or intituled unto in ffee Simple or ffee Tail or any other Estate of Inheritance in Possession Reversion or Remainder or otherwise Situate lying and being in the Townships or Parish of Cosford alias Gosford Albringhton (sic) and Dunnington in the said County of Salop or of them or within the Hattons aforesaid or elsewhere with the said Parish of Brewood in the said County of Stafford and the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders of all and Singular the said Premises and all the Estate Right Title Interest Property Claim and demand whatsoever of me the said Richard Stanier of in and to all the therein meant or mentioned to be granted Premisses or any part thereof to the use of me the said Richard Stanier for Life without impeachment of wast ... 

with a remainder to the said Robert Aglionby Slaney and his heirs during my Life to Preserve contingent uses and after my decease to the use of the said Sarah Bach the Younger and her Assigns for the term of her Natural Life for her Jointure and from and immediately after the decease of me the said Richard Stanier Sarah Bach and the survivor of the use and behoof of the said Richard Rann his Executors Administrators and Assigns for and during the Term of one thousand years upon Trust to raise by such ways and means as are therein mentioned four thousand pounds for the Portion and Portions of the Younger Children of me the said Richard Stanier and Sarah Bach with the remainder after the determination of the Term to the use of the first and other Sons of me the said Richard Stanier on the Body of the said Sarah Bach lawfully begotten or to be begotten Successively  in Tail Male and for want of such Issue to the use of my own Right Heirs forever as in and by the said recited Indentures relation being thereunto had may more fully and at large Appear And Whereas I have by my said Wife Issue only two Daughters I do hereby give and devise  the Remainder Reversion and Inheritance and and all my Right Title Estate and Interest of in and to the aforesaid Mannor or reputed Mannor of Cosford alias Gosford and all and every the Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments lying and being in the aforesaid several Parishes of Albrington (sic) Dunnington and Brewood conveyed or intended to be conveyed in and by the aforesaid Indentures of Lease and Release to the said Robert Aglionby Slaney and his Heirs to and for the several Uses Intents and Purposes following to the use and behoof of Daughter Elizabeth Stanier and Sarah Stanier and all and every other the Daughter and Daughters of me the said Richard Stanier lawfully begotten or to be begotten to take as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants and of the several and respective Heirs of the several and respective Bodys of such Daughter and Daughters lawfully issuing and if any of my said Daughters shall happen to dye without heirs of their respective Body or Bodies issuing then the share and shares of such of them so dying without Heirs of her or their Body or Bodies shall from time to time as as often as the said Daughters shall dye without Heirs of her or their respective Body or Bodys issuing go and remain to the Survivors ad Survivor and others and other of every such Daughters and Daughter and the Heirs of their or her Bodys or Body by way of Cross Remainders till all and every such Daughters and Daughter shall dye without Heirs of their or any of their Bodies or Body issuing and in default of such Issue to the use and behoof of Robert Davison of Brand in the Parish of Norton in the County of Salop Esquire and ffrancis Stanier of the City of Chester their Executors Administrators and assigns for and during and unto the full end and Term of two hundred years from then to next ensuing and fully to be compleat and ended without Impeachment of Wast upon such Trusts and to and for such Intents and Purposes as are hereafter expressed and declared concerning the said Term and from and immediately after the end Expiration Surrender and other Determination of the said Term of two hundred years to the use and behoof of John Stanier of Uppington in the said County of Salop Gentleman son of my Uncle Charles Stanier for and during the Term of his natural Life and  from and after the Determination of that Estate to the use and behoof of the said Robert Aglionby Slaney and his Heirs and Assigns for and during the natural Life of the said John Stanier upon Trust only for Preserving the contingent uses and Estates hereafter limitted and to make Entries for the same if it shall be needfull but to Permit the said John Stanier to receive the Rents Issues and Profits thereof to his own use and immediately from and after the death of the said John Stanier to the use and behoof of the first Son of the said John Stanier lawfully to be begotten and the Heirs Males of the Body of such Son lawfully to be begotten and for default of such Issue to the use and behoof of the second third fourth fifth sixth seventh eighth ninth tenth and all other the sons of the said John Stanier severally and Successively and respectively  one after another as they shall be in order and course of seniority of Age and Priority of Birth and the several Heirs Males of their several and respective Bodies lawfully to be begotten the Elder of the said Sons and the Heirs Males of his Body being always Preferred before the Younger and the Heirs Males of their Bodies and for default of such Issue to the use and behoof of my Uncle Benjamin Stanier for and during the Term of his natural Life and from and after the determination of that Estate to the use and behoof of the said Robert Aglionby Slaney and his Heirs and Assigns for and during the natural Life of the said Benjamin Stanier upon Trust only for Preserving the Contingent uses and Estates hereafter limitted and to make Entries for the same if it shall be needful but to Permit the said Benjamin to receive the Rents Issues and Profits thereof to his own use and immediately from and after the Death of the said Benjamin Stanier to the use and behoof of the first Son of the said Benjamin Stanier and the Heirs Males of the Body of such first Son lawfully to be begotten and for default of such Issue to the use and behoof of the second third fourth fifth sixth seventh eighth ninth tenth and all other the sons of the said Benjamin Stanier severally and Successively and respectively one after another in order and course as they shall be in seniority of Age and Priority of Birth and the Several Heirs Males of their several and respective Bodies lawfully to be begotten the Elder of the said Sons and the Heirs Males of his Body being always Preferred before the Younger and the Heirs Males of their Bodies and for default of such Issue to the use and behoof of ffrancis Stanier of the City of Chester Gentleman son of my cousin ffrancis Stanier late of Birmingham in the County of Warwick Ironmonger deceased for and during the Term of his natural Life and from and after the Determination of that Estate to the use and behoof of the said Robert Aglionby Slaney and his Heirs and Assigns for and during the natural Life of the said ffrancis Stanier upon Trust only for preserving the Contingent Uses and Estates hereafter limitted and to make Entries for the same if it shall be needful but to Permit the said ffrancis Stanier to receive the Rents and Profits thereof to his own use and immediately from and after the Death of the said ffrancis Stanier to the use and behoof of the first Son of the said ffrancis Stanier and the Heirs Males of the Body of such first Son lawfully to be begotten and for default of such Issue to the use and behoof of the second third fourth fifth sixth seventh eighth ninth tenth and all other the sons of the said ffrancis Stanier Severally and Successively and respectively one after another in order and Course as they shall be in seniority of Age and Priority of Birth and the Several Heirs Males of their several and respective Bodys lawfully to be begotten the Elder of the said Sons and the Heirs Males of his Body being always Preferred before the Younger and the Heirs Males of their Bodies and for default of such Issue to the use and behoof of John Stanier of Uppington aforesaid Gentleman Brother of ffrancis Stanier late of Birmingham aforesaid for and during the Term of his natural Life and from and after the Determination of that Estate To the use and behoof of the said Robert Aglionby Slaney and his Heirs and Assigns for and during the natural Life of the said John Stanier upon Trust only for preserving the Contingent Uses and Estates hereafter limitted and to make Entries for the same if it shall be needful but to Permit the said John Stanier to receive the Rents issues and Profits thereof to his own use and immediately from and after the Death of the said John Stanier to the use and behoof of the first Son of the said John Stanier and his Heirs Males of the Body of such first Son lawfully to be begotten and for default of such Issue to the use and behoof of the second third fourth fifth sixth seventh eighth ninth Tenth and all other the Sons of the said John Stanier Severally and Successively and respectively one after another in order and Course as they shall be in Seniority of age and Priority of Birth and the Several Heirs Males of their Several and respective Bodys lawfully to be begotten the Elder of the said Sons and the Heirs Males of his Body being always Preferred before the Younger and the Heirs Males of their Bodies and for default of such Issue to the Right Heirs of me the said Richard Stanier and as far as and concerning the aforesaid Term of two hundred years limitted to the said Robert Davison and ffrancis Stanier their Executors Administrators and Assigns the same is on Trust and to the end and Intent that the said Robert Davison and ffrancis Stanier or the Survivors or the Executors Adminstrators or Assigns shall and do by with and out of the Annual Rents and Profits of the said Mannors Messuages Lands and Hereditaments raise and pay to Margaret Wife of my Uncle William Stanier during her and her said Husbands Life one Annuity or Yearly Rent Charge of one hundred and ffifty Pounds clear of all Taxes and Deductions to and for the sole and separate use of the said Margaret and in Case my said Uncle shall happen to survive his said Wife upon this further Trust that they the said Robert Davison and ffrancis Stanier or the Survivor and his Executors Administrators and Assigns of the Survivor shall and do raise as aforesaid and Pay to my said Uncle William Stanier one Annuity or Rent Charge of one hundred and ffifty pounds clear of all Taxes and Deductions yearly during his natural Life for his Support and Maintenance and in case my said Uncle William Stanier shall happen to dye in the Life time of the said Margaret his Wife that then the said Robert Davison and ffrancis Stanier their Executors Administrators and Assigns shall and do by the Ways and means aforesaid raise and pay to the said Margaret ome Annuity or Rent Charge of ffifty Pounds Yearly clear of all Taxes and Deductions during her natural Life and I do hereby direct all the aforesaid Annuities to be Paid upon the ffeast of Saint Michael the Archangel and Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary yearly by even and equal Portions the first payment to be made upon the first of the said Days that shall happen next after the Commencement of the said Term and upon this further Trust that they the said Robert Davison and ffrancis Stanier or the Survivor or his Executors Admors or Assigns shall by with and out of the Rents Issues and Profits of the said Mannor Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments limitted to them for the Term of Two Hundred Years as aforesaid or by Sale or demise of the said Term or any Part thereof or otherwise as to them shall seem meet levy and raise the sum of one thousand for the Portion or Portions of the Daughters or Daughter of my said Ucle Benjamin Stanier to be equally divided amongst and paid to such Daughters or Daughter within three Months after the Commencement of the said Term all my Messuages Tenements and Lands with their Appurtenances Purchased with my Wifes Portion lying in the Parish of Saint Leonards and Saint Leonards and Saint Marys in Bridgenorth in the County of Salop or one of them I give to the said Robert Aglionby Slaney and his Heirs to the use and behoof of the first Son of me the said Richard Stanier on the Body of Sarah my Wife begotten or to be begotten and the Heirs of the Body of such Son lawfully begotten or to be begotten and for default of such Issue to the use and behoof of the second third fourth fifth sixth seventh eighth ninth Tenth and all and every other the Son and Sons of me the said Richard Stanier on the Body of of the said Sarah my Wife lawfully to be begotten Severally and Successively one after another in order and Course as they shall be in seniority of Age and Priority of Birth and of the Several Heirs of their several and respective Bodys lawfully to be begotten the Elder of the said Sons and the Heirs of his Body being always Preferred before the Younger and the Heirs of their Bodies and for default of such Issue to the use and behoof of my Daughters Elizabeth Stanier and Sarah Stanier and all and every other the Daughter and Daughters of me the said Richard Stanier lawfully begotten or to be begotten to take as Tenants in Common and not as Joint Tenants and of the Several and respective Heirs of the Several and respective Bodies of such Daughter or Daughters lawfully issuing and if any of my said Daughters shall happen to dye without Heirs of their respective Body or Bodies issuing then the share and shares of such of them so dying without Heirs of her or their Body or Bodys shall from time to time as any of the said Daughters shall dye without Heirs of her or their respective Body or Bodies issuing go and remain to the Survivors or Survivor and others and other of every such Daughters and Daughter and the Heirs of her Bodys or Body by way of Cross Remainders till and and every such Daughters and Daughter shall die without Heirs of their or any of their Bodys or Body issuing and in default of such Issue to the use of my dear Wife Sarah and her Heirs forever all my Personal Estate I give to my said Wife and constitute and appoint her Executrix of this my Will and Guardian to my Children and in case my Wife shall happen to dye during the Infancy of any of my Children or Child I appoint the said Robert Aglionby Slaney and Richard Baynes of Uttoxeter in the County of Stafford Esquire Guardian to such my Children In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand  and Seal the eighth day of June in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred and forty three. Richard Stanier – Signed Sealed Published and declared by the above named Richard Stanier the Words (first Son of the between the thirtieth and thirty first lines and the Words during her and her said Husbands Life) between the forty third and forty fourth lines being first interlined to be his last Will and Testament in the Presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our Names as Witnesses in the presence of the Testator Saml Jones Robt Talbott Esher Pool

 

A: Codicil made  and published by me Richard Stanier of Pepperhill in the County of Salop Esquire the thirty first day of January one thousand seven hundred and forty three and by me annexed to my last Will and Testament bearing the eighth day of June now last past and made Part thereof and Whereas I the said Richard Stanier have in my said Will omitted to charge my Estate therein comprised with the payment of my Debts now I do hereby charge the same with the payment of all my just Debts that my personal Estate shall fall short in Paying and subject thereto I do hereby ratify and Confirm my said Will and the Several and respective Devices therein Item and I do give and devise one full sixth Part the whole in Six Parts to be divided of all and every my Messuages Cottages Lands Tenements Hereditaments and Premises whatsoever situate lying and being in Garmstone in the said County of Salop subject to and chargeable with the payment of my said Debts unto Robert Aglionsby Slaney Esquire and his Heirs to the use and behoofe of the first Son of me the said Richard Stanier on the Body of Sarah my Wife begotten or to be begotten and the Heirs of the Body of such Son lawfully to be begotten and for Default of such Issue to the use and behoofe of the Second third fourth fifth Sixth Seventh eighth ninth Tenth and all and every other the Son and Sons of me the said Richard Stanier on the Body of  Sarah my said Wife lawfully to be begotten Severally and Successively one after another in order and Course as they shall be in Seniority of age and Priority of Birth and of the Several Heirs of their Several and respective Bodys lawfully to be begotten the Elder of the said Sons and the Heirs of his Body being always Preferred before the Younger and the Heirs of their Bodies and for Default of such Issue to the use of my Daughters Elizabeth Stanier and Sarah Stanier and all and every other the Daughter and Daughters of me the said Richard Stanier lawfully begotten or to be begotten to take as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants and of the Several and respective Heirs of the Several and respective Bodys of such Daughter and Daughters lawfully issuing and if any of my said Daughters shall happen to die without Heirs of their respective Body or Bodies lawfully issuing then the shares of such of them so dying without Heirs of her or their Body or Bodies shall from time to time as any of the said Daughter shall happen to die without Heirs of her or their respective Body or Bodies issuing shall go and remain to the Survivors and Survivor and other and other of every such Daughters and Daughter and the Heirs of their or her Bodys or Body by way of Cross Remainders till all and every of such Daughters and Daughters shall die without Heirs of their or any of their Bodys or Body issuing and in default of such Issue to the use of the Right Heirs of me the said Richard Stanier forever In Witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and Seal and Published this Codicil as Part of my Will the day and year first above written, Richard Stanier Signed Sealed Published and declared by the said Richard Stanier in the presence of us who subscribed our Names as Witnesses hereunto in his presence Sarah Bach George Coley William Colley.

 

This Will was proved at London with the Codicil annexed before the Right Honourable Sir George Lee Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted the thirteenth day of May in the Year of our Lord  One thousand seven hundred and ffifty two by the Oath of Sarah Stanier Widow the Sole Executrix named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the Deceased being first Sworn by Commission only to administer. 

 

England & Wales Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills 1384-1858 PROB 11: Will Registers 1750-1756 Piece 795 Bettesworth Quire Numbers 133 -179 (1752)

© Julian Parker 2021

The Will of Joseph Newton of Fenton, Carpenter

His will shows economy of design and execution, like his chairs (the link brings up all posts about him).

W^l. of Joseph Newton, late of Fenton Proved 8^th Oct^r 1753.

 

In the name of God Amen I Joseph Newton of Fenton in the County of Lincoln Carpenter being somewhat indisposed, but of sound perfect mind & memory do make & ordain this my last Will & Testament in manner & form following. First I bequeath my Soul into the hands of my most merciful Creator hoping for a blessed Resurrection at the last day. And as for my worldly Goods which it has pleased Almighty God to bestow on me, I give and dispose of as follows. I give to my Son Henry half a Crown. I also give to my Daughter Elizabeth Mann half a Crown. To John Jellet of Wigtoft I give one shilling. All the rest of my goods & chattels of what kind or sort soever I give & devise to my dear wife Elizabeth whom I appoint my sole executrix of this my last Will and Testament, she paying all my Debts & Legacies & funeral Charges. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand & seal this twenty third day of December the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & forty nine. 

 

Signed sealed 

& delivered in                                                                                    his

the presence of us                                                                   Joseph  J  Newton

                                                                                                         Mark

Thos. Robinson.

              her

Susanna  + Wadeson                                                  Oct. 8, 1753

            Mark 

                                                                                            The Ex^x was duly sworn & that

                                                                                            the goods of ye. deceased do not

                                                                                            account to 90L 

                                                                                            before me 

                                                                                            J. Curtois

                                                                                            Junr

 

Will of Timothy Carter, chairmaker of Hammersmith, 1768-1821

A full transcription of this will has never been published before.

This is the last Will and testament of me Timothy Carter of Hammersmith in the county of Middlesex Chair maker which I make and publish in manner following that is to say I do appoint my dear wife Hannah Carter and my ffriend Mr Robert Simpson of Hammersmith aforesaid gentleman to be executrix and executor of this my will and also guardians to my children I direct that my trade of a victualler and also my trade of chair maker here carried on by me at Hammersmith aforesaid be continued by my Executrix and Executor for the benefit of my said wife and children but in case my said Executrix and Executor shall meet with a favourable opportunity of disposing of the said trades and businesses or either of them and it shall in their judgement be most advantageous for my Estate to sell and dispose of the same and the Lease of the premises in which either of them is now carried on then I do hereby authorise and empower them to sell and dispose of the same according and I do give and devise my copyhold Messuage and Land situate at Warfield in the county of Berks to my said wife for and during the term of her natural life and after her decease I give and devise the same to my three children Mary Susanna and Joan as tenants in common and not as joint tenants I also give and bequeath all my Leasehold Messuages or Tenements and Premises situate at Hammersmith aforesaid and all other my Estate and Effects whatsoever to my said wife for her life as aforesaid and direct that she do and shall pay and apply a sufficient part of the Rents Issues and Profits thereof and also of my said Copyhold Estate and of the Income Interest or proceeds of other the clear residue of my Estate and Effects after payment of my just debts ffuneral and testamentary expenses in and for the maintenance and support of my said three children during their minority and for their advancement in the world and I direct that my said Executrix and Executor shall not be answerable or responsible the one for the other of them or the Acts or Deeds of the other but each for herself and himself only nor for any more of my Estate and Effects than shall be actually received by them respectively nor for any involuntarily loss or diminution thereof and that they do and shall satisfy and reimburse themselves all and every costs charges and expenses which they or either of them shall pay expend or be put unto in or about the execution of this my will ( + and I give to the said Robert Simpson the sum of ten pounds as a token of respect of his trouble in the execution of this my will) and I declare that the receipt or receipts of my said Executors shall be good and effectual discharges to the Purchaser or Purchasers of any part of my Estates or Effects which may be sold or disposed of under this my will and that such Purchaser or Purchasers shall not be bound to see to the application of such purchase money or accountable for the misapplication or non-application thereof and hereby revoking all other wills by me heretofore made I declare this only to be and contain my last Will and testament in witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this twenty second day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one

Timothy Carter

Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Testator Timothy Carter as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto the interlineations in the third line of the first side and also between the second and third lines of this last side being first made

Samuel Naylor Great Newport Street
Thomas Saunders Hammersmith
James Saunders Hammersmith

Proved at London 22 April 1822 before the worshipful Charles Coote Doctor of Laws & Sworn by the oath of Hannah Carter Widow the Relict and Robert Simpson Executors to whom Administration was granted having been first sworn DULY to administer.

Transcribed from Timothy Carter’s will in the National Archives reference PROB-11-1655-364

© Julian Parker 2020

The Will of John Webb, Chairmaker of Dorney, Buckinghamshire, 1702 - 1794

John Webb of Dorney, father of Henry Webb and grandfather of Martha Webb of Hammersmith (about whose Windsor chair making business an account may be found here in the second half of Robert Parrott's article at pp. 127 to 138) died in 1794.  

A full transcription of his will has never been published before.

In the Name of God Amen I John Webb of the parish of Dorney in the county of Bucks Chairmaker do make this my Will as follows ffirst I order all my debts which I shall owe my ffuneral and Testamentary Expenses to be paid out of my Personal Estate only I appoint my grandson Jeremiah Dell my Executor I devise my Messuage with the appurtenances in or near Lake End in the said county of Bucks now in the occupation of John Dell to his wife Sarah Dell my daughter her Heirs and Assigns for ever and I devise all the two Messuages or Tenements adjoining together with the Buildings thereunto belonging now in the occupation of the said Jeremiah Dell and William Green situate at Dorney aforesaid and the close of Meadow Land adjoining now in my own possession unto the said Jeremiah Dell his Heirs and Assigns forever I give to my Granddaughter Martha Webb the daughter of my late son Henry twenty pounds I devise All the Residue of my Messuages Lands Tenements Hereditaments and Real Estate whatsoever whether ffreehold or Copyhold to the said Jeremiah Dell and my friend Richard Sedding of Dorney aforesaid yeomen their Heirs and Assigns upon Trust to sell the Same by Public Auction as soon as conveniently may be and the clear Money arising from the sale after paying the Charges thereof I direct shall be divided and paid as follows namely one fourth part thereof to my daughter Ann Chitty one other fourth part to my daughter Elizabeth Windsor one other fourth part to the children of my late son Thomas Webb deceased and one other fourth part to the children of my late daughter Rebecca Grantham deceased and I declare that the purchasers of my said Messuages Lands Tenements Hereditaments and Real Estate or any part thereof shall not be obliged to see to the application of the purchase money or be answerable for the same or the Proapplication thereof or any part thereof but shall be at all times fully indemnified by the Receipt alone of my said Trustees or the survivor of them I give to my said grandson Jeremiah Dell twenty pounds and all my working tools belonging to the Chairmaking Business for the trouble which he may have as my Executor I give to my sister Elizabeth Buckland twenty pounds and I gave all the Residue of my Goods Chattels Leases Stocks Effects and Personal Estate whatsoever to the said Jeremiah Dell and Richard Sedding their Executors Administrators or Assigns in Trust to divide the same equally as follows namely one fifth part thereof to the said Sarah Dell one other fifth part to the said Ann Chitty one other fifth part to the said Elizabeth Windsor one other fifth part to the children of my late Son Thomas Webb and one other fifth part to the children of my said late daughter Rebecca Grantham and I declare that if one or other children of the said Sarah Dell Ann Chitty or Elizabeth Windsor shall die before me or before they have received their respective parts of my said Real and Personal Estates and the produce thereof respectively as aforesaid having Kin then I give the part of them or other of them so dying as aforesaid or such part thereof as shall not have been received unto his her or their Kin shall respectively by equal proportions as and when such Kin shall respectively attain their several ages of twenty one years and to be managed in the meantime for their advantage in such manner as my said Trustees shall think most beneficial and the which or any part thereof or the interest or dividends thereof to be by them from time to time applied for the benefit of such Kin respectively either by the apprenticing them or otherwise promoting their welfare as my said Trustees shall see occasion during their respective Minorities and if such Kin any or either of them shall die under the age of twenty one years the share of such of them so dying shall go to his her or their surviving Brothers and Sisters respectively or in default of such to his or her or their next of Kin And I declare that as my daughter Elizabeth Windsor is at this time labouring under a great Imbecility of Mind her legacies and the provisions which I have hereby made for her shall in case of her continuing to be in her present weak state be paid to her Sons in Trust to apply the same for her maintenance support or benefit in such manner as they shall think most beneficial during her life and after her decease I give the same in equal  proportions unto such of the children of my said daughter Elizabeth as shall be living at her decease and if but one of them shall be living then to such only child and I declare that my said Trustees shall not be answerable for more money than they shall actually receive nor the One for the other of them nor for the Acts Deeds or Management of the other of them nor for any involuntary loss and that they may deduct their Charges out of the Trust Estate aforesaid and I do hereby revoke all former Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made and do declare this to be my last 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 ninety three

John Webb 

Signed Sealed published and declared by the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our Hands as Witnesses

Jos. Pain Grocer at Windsor 

Stepn. Round Attorney at law 

Thomas Gleeds Clerk to Mr Round 

I Give my ffriend Richard Sedding before named in this my will ffive Guineas for his trouble as my Trustee dated the day and year last above written 

John Webb 

Witnesses Jos. Pain Stephn. Round Thomas Gleeds 

This Will  was proved at London with a codicil the twenty seventh day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety four before the worship for William Battin Doctor of Law Surrogate of the Right Honourable Sir William Wynne Knight also Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Jeremiah Dell the grandson and sole executor named in this will of the deceased to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased having been first sworn duly to administer.

Transcribed from John Webb’s will in the National Archives reference PROB-11-1246-72

© Julian Parker 2020 

The Will of Henry Webb Windsor chair maker of the hamlet of Hammersmith 1731 - 1793

Henry Webb of Hammersmith (about whose Windsor chair making business an account may be found here in the second half of Robert Parrott's article at pp. 127 to 138) died in 1793.  

A full transcription of his will has never been published before. Throughout the will, where an abbrevation appears, it has been transcribed in full in square brackets. Thus 'Exors' appears as '[Executors]' and so on. The testator, his lawyer and lawyer's clerk were not great fans of punctuation. Sorry again.

In the name of God Amen I Henry Webb of the hamlet of Hammersmith in the parish of ffulham in the county of Middlesex Windsor Chair Maker being of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding for which I thank God and desirious of avoiding all Differences and Disputes among my Kinsmen after my decease concerning my Estate and Effects Do make my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) ffirst I commit my Soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator in full hope of a joyfull Resurrection to eternal Life through the merits of my Redeemer and my Body I commit to the Earth to be buried in a Decent manner at the Discretion of my Executors hereinafter appointed and as to all my Estate and Effects both real and personal wherewith it has pleased Almighty God to bless me and which I now am or shall be seized and possessed of or entitled  at the time of my Decease I give devise and dispose thereof in manner following (that is to say) I Give and Devise and my Eldest son John Webb his heirs and assigns for ever all that my piece or parcel of ffreehold Land or and with the [Appurtenances] which I purchased of William ffaulkener Esquire situate in Hammersmith aforesaid adjoining to the Hampshire Hog Alehouse now in the possession of Allen Newman Gardiner Also I do hereby Give and Devise unto my said Son John Webb his Heirs and Assigns for ever all that my Copyhold Messuage or Tenement situate in Hammersmith aforesaid wherein I now live and reside and carry on my Trade and Business with all and every the Erections Buildings Workshops Timber Yard and all other Yards Gardens and [Appurtenances] whatsoever thereunto belonging as the same now are in my hands and Possession except the Chamber wherein my Daughter Martha Webb usually sleeps and the Bed Bedding and all the ffurniture and Goods therein which I do hereby Give to my said Daughter and also reserve the said Chamber to and for the use and accommodation of my said Daughter with ffull liberty at all times of going and returning to and from and using the same in a ffamily way as she has always done for and during such time as she shall think fit or desire to retain and keep the said Room without paying any Rent or making any satisfaction or Compensation whatever to her said Brother for the same Also I do hereby Give and Devise unto my son Henry Webb his Heirs and Assigns for ever all those my two Copyhold Tenements with their [Appurtenances] situate and being in ffrog Lane in Hammersmith aforesaid and which are known or Distinguished by the Numbers 1&2 and now are in the several Tenures or Occupations of James Adams Basket Maker and Edward Phelps Gardener together with the large Shed erected behind the same and adjoining thereto and which is now used as a Store House with the Ground leading from the Corner of the said Storehouse to the Corner Part of James Adams Yard Also I do hereby Give and Devise unto my said Daughter Martha Webb her Heirs and Assigns for ever all that my other Copyhold Messuage or Tenement situate in ffrog Lane aforesaid known or distinguished by No. 3 and now in the Tenure or Occupation of Mr Lyonsworth with the Yard Garden and all other [Appurtenances] thereto belonging all which said Copyhold Messuages or Tenements and Premises hereinbefore Devised unto and for the use and benefit of my said three Kinsmen and their respective Heirs and Assigns in manner aforesaid are held of the Lord of the Manor of ffulham and have been duly surrendered by me to the use of my last Will and Testament Also I do hereby Give and Bequeath unto my said Daughter Martha Webb six hundred Pounds part of my Capital Stock now standing in the Transfer Books in my name in the new ffour per Cent Bank Annuities to and for her own sole and separate use and benefit and that the same or any part thereof shall not be subject to or liable to the Debts Controll or Engagements of any Husband my said Daughter shall happen to marry But that her Receipt above notwithstanding such Coverture shall be sufficient Discharge for the same also I Give and Bequeath unto my said Son John Webb one hundred Pounds other part of my Stock in the same ffund for his own use and benefit Also I Give and Bequeath unto my said Son Henry Webb two hundred and ffifty Pounds other part of my said Stock in the same ffund for his own use and benefit Also I Give and Bequeath and to the Churchwarden and overseers of the Poor of the Hamlet of Hammersmith aforesaid and their successor Churchwarden and overseers of the Poor for the time being ffifty Pounds Residue of the said Stock in the same ffund in Trust to receive and take the Dividends thereof from time to time as the same shall become due and payable and lay out the same in Bread to be free distributed unto and amongst such poor persons of the said Hamlet as they shall think most worthy of free Relief and at such times and in such manner as they shall in their discretion think proper Also I Give and Bequeath all my Household Goods and Furniture Books Plate China Household Linnen Clocks Watches Utensils and all other my Chattels and Effects whatsoever which now are all shall be in or about my said Dwelling House at Hammersmith aforesaid at the time of my Decease save and except my Wearing Apparel unto my said Sons John and Henry Webb and my said Daughter Martha Webb in and buy equal parts or shares and in order to prevent Disputes or Differences among my Children said to render such disposition as equal as possible It is my Will and I do hereby Direct that all the Household ffurniture Plates China Linnen Goods Chattels and Effects hereinbefore given to my said three Children shall in due time after my Decease be valued and appraised by some Broker or Auctioneer chosen by them or come by and on the behlaf of each of them and shall be divided into three lots parts or shares as near in value as possible and that one of such third parts or shares shall be Allotted and Delivered to and for the use and benefit of the said John Webb my Older Son another third part or share to and for the use and benefit of the said Henry Webb my Younger Son and the other third part or share to and for the use and benefit of my said Daughter Martha Webb and if such parts or shares shall not be perfectly agreeable to my said Children then I direct that lots shall be drawn by them for their respective parts or shares and that the same shall be conclusive. Also I do hereby Give and Bequeath all my Wearing Apparel whatsoever to my said two Sons John and Henry Webb to be Divided between them in such manner as shall be most agreeable to them also I do hereby Give and Bequeath to my said two Sons John and Henry Webb all my Stock in Trade consisting of Chairs Timber Wood Utensils Implements and other things and Materials in the way of my Trade or Business which I shall be possessed of at the time of my Decease equally between them share and share alike and in order to prevent any Dispute or Difference between them and to render such Disposition as equal as Possible it is my Will and I do hereby Direct that all such Stock in Trade Chairs Timber Wood Utensils Implements and other things and Materials as aforesaid shall in due and Convenient time after my Decease be valued and appraised by one or two Indifferent Persons Conversant in the said Business and shall be Divided into two lots or shares as near in value as can be ascertained and that one of such lots or shares shall be Allotted and Delivered to and for the use and benefit of the said John Webb and the other lot or shares shall be Allotted and Delivered to and for the use and benefit of the said Henry Webb and in Case such allotment or share shall not be perfectly agreeable to my said Sons then I direct that lots shall be drawn by them for their respective part or share which shall be Conclusive and I do recommend to my said Sons to be kind and affectionate to their Sister and to give her such Assistance as they conveniently can and live in love and friendship and behave with a proper Regard and Respect to each other also I do hereby Give and Bequeath to Mr James Lasbrey and Mr Nathan Smith of Hammersmith aforesaid the Sum of ten Pounds each for their Trouble as my Executors in and about the Execution of this my Will and subject to and after payment of all my Just Debts or ffuneral and Testamentary Charges and Expenses and of the said Pecuniary Legacies and also subject to the several specific Bequests hereinbefore contained I do hereby Give and Bequeath all my other Monies and Securities for Money and all the Rest and Residue of my Stock or Annuities in the Public ffunds and also all Debts and Sums of Money which shall be due and owing to me in Trade or Business at the time of my Deceased and all other my Personal Estate and Effects of what nature or kind soever which I shall then be possessed of or intitled onto and which shall be belonging to or owing to me in any Right Ways or Means whatsoever unto my said two Sons John and Henry Webb and my said Daughter Martha Webb in and by equal parts or shares or proportions for their respective use and benefit and I do also Will and Direct that it shall and may be lawful to and for my said Executors respectively and their respective Executors and [Administrators] from time to time in the first Place to receive and to take or Deduct out of the said Monies and Estate to their own respective use and uses all such Costs Charges Damages and Expenses whatsoever as they or either of them shall pay expend all be put unto or sustain in or about the Execution Performance Proof or Defence of this my Will or any deduction [?] Matter or thing Relating thereto and to retain from time to time reasonable sums of Money for their Incidental Expenses and ffurther that neither of my said Executors shall be answerable or accountable for any more than they shall actually receive and that neither of them shall be answerable or accountable for the Acts Deeds Receipts or Payments of the other of them but each of them with and for his own Acts Deeds Receipts or Payments only and Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint the said James Lasbrey and the said Nathan Smith Executors of this my will and hereby revoking all and every other Will or Wills by me at any time heretofore made do declare this alone to be and contain my last Will and Testament in Witness Whereof I the testator Henry Webb have to this my said last Will and Testament contained in the four sheets of paper to the first second and third sheets wrote my name into this ffourth and last sheet set my hand and seal this ffifth Day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety three

Henry Webb 

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the said Testator Henry Webb as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have at his request and in his presence and that of each other subscribed our names as as Witnesses thereto 

Robert Taylor

Joseph Cromwell

Greg Geering 

Hammersmith 

Whereas I have by my last Will and Testament bearing Date the ffifth Day of May instant Given and Bequeathed unto my two Sons John and Henry Webb all my Stock in Trade to be equally Divided between them in a manner therein particularly mentioned now I do hereby subject the same and every part thereof with the payment of the Sum of ffifty Pounds to my Daughter Martha Webb and Direct the same to be paid by my said two Sons out of the Produce thereof as soon as conveniently maybe after my Decease Also I Give and Bequeath to my Niece Mary Carter the sum of £20 to be paid to her within 12 months next after my Decease and it is my Desire and I do hereby Declare that this paper writing shall be taken as a codicil to my said Will be added thereto and to confirm my said Will in all other respects Witness my hand and seal this twenty eighth Day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety three

Henry Webb 

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the said Henry Webb as a Codicil to his said Will in the presence of us 

James Self 

Greg Geering 

This Will was proved at London with a Codicil the 5th of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety three before the worshipful Maurice Swabey Doctor of Laws and Surrogate of the Right Honourable Sir William Wynne Knight also Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oaths of James Lansbrey and Nathan Smith the Executors named in the said Will to whom Administration of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said Deceased was granted having been first sworn duly to Administer.

Transcribed from the original in the National Archives Reference PROB-11-1234-3.

© Julian Parker 2020