Anthony Houghton of Grimston 1757 Will
Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives, Leicestershire Wills and Probate Records 1757
In the Name of God Amen I Anthony Houghton of Grimston in the County of Leicester Husbandman being of sound Mind Memory and Understanding praised be Almighty God for the same and considering the Uncertainty of this life and the certainty of Death Do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say)
In the first place I resign my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God my Creator who gave it me and my Body I committ to the Earth to be decently Buryed at the discretion of my Executrix hereinafter Named
And as for such Temporal Estate as God has been pleased to bless me with all I Give Devise and bequeath unto my Dear and Loving Wife Alice Houghton two pair of my best Sheets my Bed and Beding and all the furniture in my best Parlour and the Sum of five pounds in Money to be paid her by my Executrix within two Months after my Decease
And Whereas my Daughter Mary Hemsley is now ensient or big with Child and I being Minded to make some provision for such Child after my Wifes Decease I do therefore Give and Devise All that my Cottage or Tenement with the Commons backside and all other the Appurts to the same belonging Situate Standing and being within the Town and precincts of Abb Kettleby in the said County of Leicester and all other my Lands and Tenements lying and being within the said Town and Libertys of Abb Kettleby aforesaid unto my said Dear and Loving Wife Alice Houghton for and during the Term of her Natural life and from and after her Decease then I Give and Devise the same unto my said Daughter Mary Hemsley for and during the term of her Natural life and from and after her Decease then I Give and Devise the same unto such Child whereof my said Daughter Mary Hemsley is now Ensient or big with Child of and to the heirs and assignes of such said Child forever
Also I Give and bequeath all my personal Estate of what Nature kind or Quality Soever (not hereinbefore by me disposed of) the same is my Debts Legacys and funeral Expences being first thereout paid and discharged unto my said Daughter Mary Hemsley she paying out of the same the yearly sum of five pounds unto my said wife for and during the Term of her Natural life And I will that my said Daughter Mary and her present Husband Thomas Hemsley shall within three Months after my Decease enter into and Give my said Wife a Bond or other Sufficient security to her Good likeing for the true payment of the said yearly sum of five pounds so given unto my said Wife and if my said Daughter or her present Husband Thomas Hemsley shall neglect or refuse to give unto my said Wife such sufficient security to her good liking as aforesaid then I Give unto my said Wife the sum of One Hundred pounds to be paid her out of my personal Estate for her own use and benefit within twelve Months after my Death
And I doe hereby appoint my Said Daughter Mary Hemsley full and Sole Executrix of this My last Will and Testament hereby Revocking all former Wills and Testaments by me at any time heretofore made declaring this to be my last Will and Testament
In Witness whereof I the said Anthony Houghton the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament Containing two Sheets of paper Sett my Hand and Seal to each Sheet this Seventeenth day of February in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Seven
The Mark of Anthony Houghton
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Anthony Houghton the Testator for and as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our Names as Witnesses hereto in his presence and at his request
The Mark of John Hill
The Mark of Thomas Hand
Will Reeves
22nd April 1757
Mary Helmsley the Sole Executrix within named was then sworn Before me
W Babington
