The will of Thomas Ward of Brixworth, proved 1731

Background

Thomas Ward was buried at Brixworth on 19 September 1731 (from Rev James Jackson’s index to the Brixworth parish register – Northamptonshire Record Office ML380).

Text

In the Name of god Amen I Thomas Ward of Brixworth in the County of Northampton being in perfict health and of sound and perfict mind and memory and understanding, Blesed be the Allmighty. Doe make and ordaine this my last will and testament in maner following, first I give devise and bequeth unto my Eldest sone John Ward and his heirs for ever all that my mesuage or furme house with the two cotigs agining thereto in Brixworth wherein I now dwell which I purchased of Mr Wright with all apurtances thereunto belonging and allsoo all that my yard Land and qurtern in the fields and parish of Brixworth and all Commons and other appurtences whatsoever thire unto belonging which was given me by Francis Bray and allsoo one yard Land in the fields and parish of Brixworth and all Commons and other appurtences whatsoever thereunto belonging which was given me by Solomon Bray which is Chargable with the payment of eight pounds a yere to my sone Thomas Ward so long as my mother in law Joane Landon doth live and no longer and after her deses it is Chargable with the payment of five pounds a year to my wife Elizabeth for the terem of her Life.

Item I give divise and bequeth unto my sone Thomas Ward and his heirs for ever my piece of meadow ground on the fields and parish of Brixworth Called Stannard holme and all appurtences thire unto belonging and from and after ye death of my mother on Law Joan Landan I give and bequeth unto my sone Thomas Ward afore saide and his heirs for ever all that my mesuage of Land and houss in the fields and parish of pisford with all Commons appurtences thirunto belonging which was given me by my mother in Law Joan Landan and after the death of my mother in Law Joan Landan it is Chargable with the payment of five pounds a year to my wife Elizabeth for the terem of her life.

Item I give and bequeth unto my daughter Elizabeth and her heirs the sume of three hundred pounds in money to be paid according to the marrig Covinants.

Item I give devise and bequeth unto my daughter Mary Houcoute and her hears for ever all that my Cottage or tenement in Brixworth which is in the possession of Thomas Battman being purchased of Mrs. Sandrs, and all apurtences there unto belonging and allsoo all that my windmill standing and being in the parish of Brixworth and all mill stons and all other appurtences thire unto belonging which I purchased of Simont Garrit.

Item I give and bequeth unto my granddaughter Sara Houcout the sume of twenty pounds when she is one and twenty years of age.

Item I give to my grandaughter Ann Houcut the sume of ten pounds when she is one and twenty years of age.

Item I give unto my grandaughter Elizabeth houcout the sume of ten pounds when she is one and twenty yeres of age and if Ether of thise Children should be dead I give her shire to the outher two to shire equly alick.

Item I give devise and bequeth unto my wife Elizabeth all that my two yard Land being in the field and parish of Brixworth and allsoo my two houses in the parish of Brixworth in the posesion of James Howcoute and widow Collings which I purchased of Sir Justinian Isham with all Commons and outher appurtences ther unto belonging which is chargale with the payment of my detts and Legacyes before meshined and allsoo I give unto my wife Elizabeth all my houshould Goods Stock in husbandry and all outher my goods chattles and personall Estate whatsoever and of this my last will and testament I doo nominate ordaine Constute and make my said wife Elizabeth full and soule Executer in witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seale this fortinth day of November in the yeare of our Lord one thosan seven hundred and twenty eight signed sailed and delivered in the presince of us who have hereunto set our Names as witnesses

[signed] Thomas Ward

[signed] John Ward, Thomas Ward Juner, John Bray

Probate

Proved at Northampton by “Eliza Ward”, the sole executrix, in the presence of Francis Stanier, surrogate, on 25 September 1731.

Transcribed by

Francis Howcutt from photocopy of original.