Samuel Hopkins of Nether Broughton 1796 Will

Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives, Leicestershire Wills and Probate Records 1796

This is the Last Will and Testament of me Samuel Hopkins of Nether Broughton in the County of Leicester Framework knitter as follows

In the first place I Give and bequeath unto my dear and loving Wife Rebecca Hopkins one Annuity or yearly sum of Fifteen pounds of Lawful money of Great Britain free and clear of all Taxes and other Outgoings and deductions whatsoever for and during the Term of her natural life And I direct the same to be paid in equal portions on these four days in every year to wit The Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Saint John the Baptist St Michael the Archangel and the Birth of our Lord Christ The first payment thereof to begin and be made on such of the said days as shall first and next happen after my decease And I do hereby subject and Charge all my Household and other Goods Stock Cattle and personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever with the just and true payment of the said Annuity of Fifteen pounds hereby given to my said Wife for her Life accordingly

Also I Give and bequeath unto my said Wife Rebecca Hopkins such part of my Household Furniture as she shall think proper to choose (provided the same do not exceed in value the sum of Ten pounds) for her to have the free use and occupation thereof for and during the term of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease I Give and bequeath such part of the Household Furniture as she my said Wife shall so make use of as aforesaid unto my two Sons John Hopkins and Samuel Hopkins to be equally divided between them

Also I Give and bequeath unto my Daughter Ann Hopkins the sum of Ninety pounds to be paid her within twelve months next after my decease by my Executors hereinafter named

Also I Give unto my said Daughter Ann Hopkins the Feather Bed Bedstead and Furniture belonging thereto which she now useth and one pair of good Flaxen Sheets with a pillow Drawer And also the Chest of Drawers standing in my Parlour to be delivered to her immediately after my decease

I Give and bequeath unto my Son in Law Edward Hopkins the sum of Five pounds to be paid him within twelve months next after my decease by my said Executors

Also I Give to my Grandson George Hopkins the sum of Ten pounds and to my Granddaughter Mary  Hopkins the sum of Five pounds to be paid to them respectively when and as they shall attain to their respective ages of Twenty one years But in case both or either of my said Grand Children shall die before they shall attain to their respectively ages of Twenty one years then my Will is that the said Legacy or Legacys of him her or them so dying shall not be paid to his her or their Personal Representatives but that the same shall be considered as a Lapsed Legacy or Legacys and sink in for the benefit of my said Executors

And Whereas the Household Goods and Furniture as well as the Stock and Implements of Husbandry and all other the personal Estate and Effects situate and being in and upon a Messuage and Farm at Costock in the County of Nottingham belonging to Mr Wild are my own proper Goods and Effects although my said son Samuel Hopkins stands as Tenant for the said Farm Now I do hereby Give and bequeath all my Household Goods other Goods Stock in Trade Implements of Husbandry Cattle Chattels rights Credits ready money and Securities for money and all other my personal Estate and Effects whatsoever as well situate and being at Costock aforesaid as Nether Broughton or Elsewhere (which are not hereinbefore specifically given and bequeathed and subject to the payment of my Debts Annuity Legacies and Funeral Expences) unto my said two Sons John Hopkins and Samuel Hopkins to be equally divided between them share and share alike

And Lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said two Sons John Hopkins and Samuel Hopkins joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made

In Witness whereof I the said Samuel Hopkins the Testator have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Twenty third day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Ninety Five

                                                                                                         Samuel Hopkins

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Samuel Hopkins the Testator as and for his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other set our hands as witnesses to the due Execution thereof

Robert Hopkins

W Brewster Junr

March 3d 1796

Let probate be granted to John Hopkins & Samuel Hopkins Executors of the within written will they being sworn to the due execution of the same & also made oath that the whole of the personal Estate of the deceased did not amount at the time of his death to six hundred pounds

                                                                                                         Sworn before me Tho. Ford Surrogate