John Hilton of Stathern 1773 Will

Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives, Leicestershire Wills and Probate Records 1773

In the Name of God Amen I John Hilton of Stathern in the County of Leicester Yeoman being weak of Body but of sound and disposing mind and memory and Understanding do make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in the manner following that is to say

I give my soul to God hoping for mercy through the merits of Christ Jesus at my resurrection my Body I commit to the Earth to be interrd in a decent manner at the Discretion of my Executor hereinafter named and my worldly and temporal Estate with my Goods Cattles and Chattles I dispose thereof as follows

In the first place I give and devise unto my Eldest Daughter Mary one Feather Bed and Bedding in the new Chamber and likewise the sum of twenty Pounds in lawful money of Great Britain

I also give and devise unto Bridget my second Daughter one Feather Bed and Bedding belonging to it standing and being in the Kitchen Chamber and likewise the sum of twenty Pounds in lawful money as aforesaid

I also give and devise unto John my second son the Sum of thirty Pounds

I also give and devise unto Hellen my third Daughter the Sum of twenty Pounds

I also give and devise unto Frances my fourth Daughter the sum of twenty Pounds

I also give and devise unto Henry my youngest Son the sum of thirty Pounds

Now my Will is that these Legacies shall become due as they respectively arrive at the age of one and twenty years and if any of my Children should decease before they arrive at the respective age of one and twenty years then their Part or Portions here assigned shall devolve to the Survivours share and share alike

And my Will further is that all my Children must have a Being or a Home with my Executor if they chance to be sick or lame till they come to the respective Age of one and twenty years but if they can work for themselves they must and not be expensive to my Executor

I also give and bequeath unto my Eldest son William my Lands at Harby and all the Rest Residue and Remainder of my Goods Stock Cattle Chattles Rights Credits and personal Estate of what nature or kind soever or wheresoever, he paying all my just debts and Funeral Expences

And lastly I do also hereby appoint and Constitute my Eldest son William full sole and only Executor of this my last Will and Testament revoking and disallowing all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made

I also constitute and appoint my Brother in Law George Blankley of the Parish of Eaton and likewise my Brother in Law Richard Hoard of the Parish of Hose to be Guardians in Trust for my younger Children and to see that all these Articles be justly and faithfully performed to the utmost of their Power & Ability

In Witness whereof I the said John Hilton the Testator have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this twenty Eight Day of April one thousand seven hundred and sixty nine

                                                                                                         John Hilton

Signed sealed published and declared by the said John Hilton the Testator to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us the Witnesses underwritten who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of Each other have set our hands as Witnesses to the due Execution of this his said Will

Thomas Wright [the Will seems to have been written in his hand]

John Marriott

Thomas Barke

NB I also give & bequeath unto my Eldest Daughter Mary a new Bedstead and feathers to fill a bed and Bolster & pillows and likewise three Chairs in the Kitchen Chamber

I also give and bequeath unto my second Daughter Bridget one Table in the Parlour with three Drawers in it and the other three Chairs in the Kitchen Chamber

I also give to all my Children one Pewter Dish and two Plates each

I also give and bequeath unto Hellen my third Daughter one Bed and Bedding standing and being in the Parlour with the Chest of Drawers in the same Room and three Chairs there also

I also give and bequeath unto my fourth Daughter Frances one Trundle Bed and Bedding belonging to it in the Chamber and the square table in the House

I also give and bequeath unto my Son John one round table and my chest in the Parlour and all my wearing Apparrel

The 29^th day of April 1773 William Hilton the Sole Executor within named was sworn to the due Execution of the within written Will

                                                                                                         Before Me Thos Myddelton Surrogt