Robert Draper of Scalford 1752 Will

Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives, Leicestershire Wills and Probate Records 1752

In the Name of God Amen I Robert Draper of Scalford in the County of Leicester farmer 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 Committ to the Earth to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executrix herein after 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 Cottage House and Commons standing and being in Scalford aforesaid which I purchased of Thomas Blagg unto my beloved Wife Elizabeth Draper for and during the Term of her Natural life and from and imediately after her Decease Then I give and Devise the same unto my Grandson William Glover and his heirs and Assignes for ever

And Also I give and bequeath unto my Son in Law Robert Glover all my right and Interest of in and to my Moiety or half part of the Goods Cattle Wares and Merchandizes now being, Grazing, and depasturing in the Bull-moor Closes in Goadby Lordship to be freely held and Enjoyed by him imediately after my decease

And Also I give and bequeath unto my three Grandchildren, Elizabeth Glover, Phillis Glover and Elizabeth Shuttlewood the Sume of Twenty pounds apeice to be paid them within one month next after my Wife Elizabeth Draper’s Decease

And Also I give and bequeath unto my Son in Law William Shuttlewood one Moiety or full half part of all and Singular my Household Goods Whatsoever Standing and being in my dwelling House in Scalford aforesaid upon Condition that he keeps and Mainteynes my Wife’s mother Sarah Darker with proper food and Raiment during her life And my Mind & Will is that in case my said Son in Law shall refuse to Maintain & keep the said Sarah Darker as aforesaid then I give the said half part of my said Household Goods to my Executrix hereinafter named

And Also I give and bequeath my riding mare unto my Brother John Draper to be delivered unto him imediately after my decease

And Lastly all the rest residue and remainder of my Goods Stock Cattle Chattells rights Credits and personal Estate of what kind or nature soever (my Debts Legacies and Funeral expences being first paid and discharged) I give and bequeath unto my said Dear Wife Elizabeth Draper Whom I doe 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 Robert Draper the Testator have hereunto Set my hand and Seal this Twelfth day of February in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and fifty Two

                                                                                                                Robert Draper

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by Robert Draper the Testator to be his last Will & Testament In the presence of us the Witnesses Under Written who have at his request And in the presence of each other set our hands as Witnesses to the Execution of this his said Will

William Fann

Augustin Fann

Edwd Stokes

The thirteenth day of Aprill 1752 Elizabeth Draper the Sole Executrix within Named was Sworn

                                                                                                                Before me Thomas Myddelton Surrogt