James Dixon of Eastwell 1756 Will
Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives PR/T/1756/69
In the Name of God Amen I James Dixon of Eastwell in the County of Leicester Grazier Being Sick and Weak in Body But of Sound Mind Memory and Understanding and Considering the Uncertainty of this life Doe 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 God that gave it me And my Body I Commit to the Earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executors herein after named And as for my Worldly Estate Which hath pleased God to bless me with I give and dispose of as follows
In the first I give and bequeath unto my Dear and loving Wife Anne Dixon for and during the Term of her natural life the yearly Sume of Eight pounds (for the true payment whereof I doe hereby charge all my Personal Estate) to be paid her by my Executors herein after named att the most four usual days or times in the Year (that is to say) att or upon the Twenty fourth day of June, the Twenty Ninth day of September, the Twenty first day of December and the Twenty fifth day of March by even and equal portions the first payment thereof to be paid and made att or upon Such of the said Days or times as shall first and next happen after my decease
And Also I give and bequeath unto my Said Dear and loving Wife Anne Dixon the sume of Ten pounds to be paid her within Six Months next after my decease by my Said Executors
And Also I give and bequeath unto my Son John Dixon All and Singular my Household Goods Scituate and being in my now dwelling House in Eastwell aforesaid to be delivered unto him immediately after my decease
And Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Anne Dawkins the Sume of Thirty pounds to be paid her within three months next after my decease by my Said Executors
And Also I give and bequeath unto my Son in Law George Womack of Coston in the said County of Leicester Grazier the Sume of one Shilling to be paid him immediately after my decease by my Said Executors
And Also I give and bequeath unto my Grandson John Womack Eldest Son of the said George Womack the Sume of Ten pounds to be paid him within three Months next after my decease by my Said Executors
And Lastly all the rest residue and remainder of my Goods Stock Cattle Chattels rights Creditts and personal Estate of What kind or Nature soever not hereinbefore by me given disposed and bequeathed of (my Debts Legacies and Funeral expences being first paid and discharged) I give and bequeath to my Two Sons Francis Dixon and John Dixon to be equally divided between them Share and Share alike Whom I do hereby Appoint full and Joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament Revoking all former Wills by me att any time heretofore made
In Witness Whereof I the Said James Dixon the Testator have hereunto Set my hand and seale this Fifteenth day of June in the Year of our Lord One Thousand and Seven Hundred and fifty three
James Dixon his Mark
Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the Said James Dixon the Testator As and for his last Will and Testament In the presence of us who have Subscribed our Names as Witnesses hereto In the presence and at the request of the Said Testator
Rich Exton
Cha: Saxton
John Exton
On Tuesday the 16th day of November 1756 Francis Dixon & John Dixon the within mentioned Joint Executors were Sworn before me
John Brown Surrogate