William Darby of Eastwell 1782 Will
Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives PR/T/1872/66
In the Name of God Amen I William Darby the Elder of Eastwell in the County of Leicester Grazier being 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 and form following (that is to Say)
First of all I Give my Soul to Almighty God who gave it me And my Body I Committ to the Earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executor herein after named And as to for and concerning my Worldly Estate which hath pleased God to bless me with I give and dispose thereof and every part thereof as follows
In the first place I give and bequeath unto my Son William Darby the Younger the Sum of one Guinea to be paid him within one Month next after my decease by my Executor hereinafter named
And Also I give and bequeath unto my other Son Thomas Darby the like Sum of One Guinea to be paid him within one Month next after my decease by me Said Executor
And Also I give and bequeath the Sum of Twenty pounds unto John Exton of Eastwell aforesaid his Executors and Administrators to be paid him within Twelve Months next after my decease by my Said Executor Upon this Trust and confidence that he the said John Exton his Executors and Administrators Do and Shall as soon as may be after the Receipt and payment of the Said Sum of Twenty pounds place the same out at Interest upon good and Sufficient Security by Mortgage Bond or otherwise as shall to his Judgment seem convenient Untill my two Grandsons William Darby and Thomas Darby the Two Sons of my Said Son Thomas Darby Shall Attain their respective Age and Ages of Twenty one Years for their use and benefit And when and as soon as my Said two Grandsons William Darby and Thomas Darby Shall Attain their Said respective Age and Ages of Twenty one Years Then I do hereby direct and order the Said John Exton his Executors and Administrators to pay and dispose of the said Principal Sum of Twenty pounds and all the then Accumulated Interest and proceed thereof to my Said two Grandsons William Darby and Thomas Darby Share and Share alike
Yet my Mind and Will is That in case Either of my Said two Grandsons William Darby and Thomas Darby Shall happen to dye before he Attains his Said Age of Twenty one Years Then and in Such case It Shall and may be lawfull unto and for the said John Exton his Executors and Administrators to pay and dispose of the said Principal Sum of Twenty pounds And all the then Accumulated Interest and produce thereof to the Survivor of my Said Two Grandsons when such Survivor shall attain his Said Age of Twenty one Years
And Lastly all the rest and residue of my Household Goods other Goods Stock Cattle Chattells and Personal Estate of What kind nature or quality soever (my Debts Legacies and Funeral Expences being first paid and discharged) I give and bequeath Unto my other Son John Darby to and for his own use benefit and disposal Whom I do hereby Nominate and Appoint full and Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament Revoking all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made
In Witness whereof I the Said William Darby the Elder and Testator have hereunto Set my hand and Seal this Tenth Day of May in the Year of our Lord One Thousand and Seven Hundred and Eighty
The mark of William Darby the Elder
Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the Said William Darby the Elder and Testator to be his last Will and Testament In the presence of us the Witnesses Underwritten who have at his request and in his presence And in the presence of Each other Set our Names as Witnesses to the due Execution of this his Said Will
John Donovan
James Dixon
Francis Dixon
On the fifth day of November 1782 John Darby the sole executor of the within written will was sworn to the due execution thereof & at the same time made oath that all the Testator’s personal Effects at the time of his Death were not worth one hundred pounds
Before me Tho. Ford Surrogate