William Bates of Ab Kettleby 1765 Will
Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives, Leicestershire Wills and Probate Records 1765
In the name of God Amen I William Bates of Abb Kettleby in the County of Leicester Taylor being sick and weak in Body But of Sound Mind Memory and understanding and Considering the Uncertainty of this life Do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner & form following (that is to say)
First of all I give my soule to God who gave it me And my Body I Commit to the Earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executrix hereinafter named And as for my Worldly Estate which hath pleased God to bless me with I give and dispose thereof as follows
In the first place I give and Devise All that my new Inclosed and Allotted piece parcel or plot of Ground with the Appurtenances lying and being within the manner or lordship of Abb Kettleby aforesaid in the said County of Leicester in a certain field or place there called the Clayfield Containing by Estimation three Acres or thereabouts (be the Same more of less) And in my own Tenure or occupation unto my brother John Bates of Burton Overy in the said County of Leicester Wheelwright and my Cousin William Gamble of Saxilby in the said County of Leicester Malster their heirs and assignes for ever In Trust nevertheless and to the intent and purpose That they the said John Bates and William Gamble and the Survivor of them and the heirs and assignes of such Survivor Do and Shall as soon as may be after my Decease Sell and Dispose of the said Said new Inclosed ground and premisses for the best price that can be obtained for the same And with the monies arising by and from such Sale as aforesaid to pay and dispose thereof in manner following (that is to Say)
In the first place to pay and discharge All and Singular my Debts funeral Expences and proving this my Said Will then to pay unto my Daughter Anne Bates the Sum of Twenty pounds When She Attains her Age of Twenty five years
And the residue thereof then to pay and dispose unto my Son William Bates When and as soon as he shall Attain his Age of Twenty one [hole, about four words] all such reasonable charges and Expences as they and the Survivor of them Shall Sustain and be put unto in the Execution of the Said Trust hereby by me reposed in them
But my Mind and Will is That untill and in the meantime my Said Daughter Anne Bates And my Son William Bates shall attain their said respective Age and Ages of Twenty five years and Twenty one Years I do hereby order and direct the Said John Bates and William Gamble their heirs Extors and Admors to place out at Interest upon good Security his and her Said respective Sum and Sums of Money and with the Interest thereof yearly and every year to pay unto my Dear Wife Elizabeth Bates (in case She Shall continuing Widow and not otherwise) for and towards their Maintenances and Education untill my Said Daughter and son shall Attain their said respective Age and Ages of Twenty five years and Twenty one years
And Lastly all and Singular my Household Goods other Goods Stock Cattle Chattells and personal Estate of What kind soever I give and bequeath unto my said Wife Elizabeth Bates Whom I do hereby Appoint full and Sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament Revoking all former Wills by me att any time heretofore made
In witness whereof I the said William Bates the father and Testator have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twenty fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty four
William Bates
Signed Sealed published and Declared by the said William Bates the father and Testator to be his last Will and Testament In the presence of us the Witnesses under Written who have Subscribed our names at his request and in his presence and in the presence of Each other as Witnesses to the due Execution of this his said Will
W Sorkington
Thos Keal
William Pick
The 4th day of Novr 1765 Elizabeth Bates the within named Sole Executrix was sworn and made oath that all the Testator’s personal Estate at the time of his Death was not worth Twenty pounds
Before me Thomas Myddelton Surrogt