Rebecca Carter of Ab Kettleby 1752 Will
Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives, Leicestershire Wills and Probate Records 1752
In the Name of God Amen I Rebecca Carter of Ab Kettleby in the County of Leicester (Widow and Relict of William Carter late of Ab Kettleby aforesaid Miller deceased) being of sound and disposing Mind Memory and Understanding, praised be God, Yet calling to mind the Uncertainty of this Life, do make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say
First I commit my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God hoping for a joyful Resurrection through the alone Merits of Jesus Christ, and my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently interred at the Discretion of my Executrixes herein after mentioned, And as for my Estate which I have power to dispose of, I give and bequeath as followeth
Whereas in and by certain Indentures of Lease and Release the Lease bearing Date the fourth Day of April which was in the Year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred and twenty seven, and the Release bearing Date the fifth Day of the said Month of April and made between the above named William Carter and Rebecca his now Widow therein by the Name of William Carter of Ab Kettleby in the County of Leicester Miller and Rebecca his wife of the one part and William Cant [sic] of Nether Broughton in the said County of Leicester Gentleman of the other part, The said William Carter Did in and by the said recited Indenture of Release sett alien enfeoff and confirm severall Lands and Tenements therein mentioned To hold the same unto the said William Cant his Heirs and Assigns for ever upon the several uses Trusts Intents and Purposes as are therein and herein mentioned expressed and declared (that is to say)
To the Use and Behoof of the said William Carter and Rebecca his then Wife for their Lives and the Life of the longer Liver of them, and from and after their several Deceases and the Decease of the Survivour of them then to the said William Cant his Executors Administrators or Assigns for the Term of ninety and nine Years upon Trust and Confidence that he the said William Cant his Executors Administrators or Assigns should by Sale or Mortgage of the said premises during all or any part of the said Term raise and pay after the Decease of the said William Carter and Rebecca his Wife and the Survivour of them such Sum or Sums of Money whatsoever not exceeding the Sum of one hundred and twenty pounds to such Person or Persons and to and for such Use and Uses as the said Rebecca should at any time thereafter during her Coverture, or after give away and dispose of the same or any part thereof by any Deed Writing or by her last Will and Testament attested by two or more Credible Witnesses as in and by the said recited Indenture of Release Relation being thereunto had doth more fully and at large appear
Now my Will and Mind is And I do hereby order that the said Sum of one hundred and twenty Pounds shall be paid as followeth
First, I give and bequeath unto Robert Tugby of Quorndon in the County of Leicester all that Messuage or Tenement with the Appurtenances scituate in Ab Kettleby and to his Heirs and Assigns for ever, upon Condition that he pays the Sum of seven Pounds to Joseph Swift of Raeisby and to my Neice Mary Tugby Wife of Robert Tugby the sum of twenty Pounds, and to her Daughters Mary and Rebecca the Sum of ten Pounds to each of them
Also I further give unto my Goddaughter Rebecca Tugby my Silver Tumbler and also my Bed standing in the Parlour where I now live, with the Bedstead Bedding and three Blankets, one Counterpain, Tester, two Pillows & pillow covers and Bolsters one pair of Sheets and all other Implements thereunto belonging
Also I give the Sum of ten pounds to be distributed equally amongst Joseph, John, William and Rebecca Hubbard, Sons and Daughter of John Hubbard of Thrussington
Also I give and bequeath unto John Cart Son of my Brother John Cart of Sisson the Sum of ten Pounds, to his Wife Catherine one Guinea, and to every Child of the said John and Catherine one Guinea each
Also, to the two eldest Children of Thomas Cart of Billesdon one Guinea each
Also I give unto my Niece Rebecca Swift the Sum of thirty Pounds and to Rebecca Swift Daughter of my Niece Rebecca Swift the sum of ten Pounds and my Bible or twelve Shillings and six pence in lieu thereof
Also I give unto Anne and Mary Daughters of the Reverend Mr William Cant the Sum of one Guinea each
Also I give unto my Nephew William Pick the Press now standing in the Parlour, to his Daughter Rebecca I give the Sum of five Pounds, and to his Daughters Lucy and Mary, and to Rebecca Daughter of John Pick, to Robert Son of Robert Tugby, to Joseph Son of Joseph Swift one Guinea each
All which several Legacies or Sums of Money given by me as aforesaid shall be paid within twelve Months next after my Decease out of my personal Estates, except the Sum of Seven Pounds which my House is chargeable with the payment of to Joseph Swift
And Lastly all the Rest of my Household Goods, Linnen Brass Cattle Chattels and Personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever belonging to me at the time of my decease not herein and hereby before disposed of, after payment of my Debts Legacys and Funeral Expences, I give and bequeath unto my said Niece Mary Tugby wife of Robert Tugby and Rebecca Swift wife of Joseph Swift equally to be divided between them Share and share alike
And I do hereby appoint the said Mary Tugby and Rebecca Swift Executrixes of this my last Will and Testament, utterly revoking all former Wills by me heretofore made
In Witness whereof I the said Rebecca Carter the Testatrix have set my Hand and Seal to this my last Will and Testament the 3d Day of June in the Year of our Lord 1746
Rebac: Carter
Signed sealed published and declared by the Testatrix to be her last Will and Testament in the Presence of us who subscribed our Names as Witnesses to the Execution thereof in her Presence
W Cant
William Stoakes
Wm Worrall
On Saturday the 29th day of February In the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred & Fifty Two Mary Tugby & Rebeccah Smith [sic] the within named Executrixes were Sworn
Before Me Gerr: Andrewes Surrogt