Thomas Kingston of Long Clawson 1761 Will

Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives PR/T/1771/127

In the Name of God Amen I Thomas Kingston of Claxton otherwise Long Clawson in the County of Leicester Wheelwright 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 it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me I Give Devise and bequeath of the same as follows (that is to say)

In the first place I Give and Devise All that Messuage or Tenement and Homestead with the appurtenances situate standing lying and being in the West End of Claxton otherwise Long Clawson and which I purchased to me and my Heirs from Roberta Smith and now in my own possession unto my Dear and Loving Wife Eleanor Kingston for and during the Term of her Natural Life and from and after her Decease Then I Give and Devise the same unto my son Thomas Kingston his heirs and assignes for ever

Also I Give and Devise All that other Messuage or Tenement and Homestead with the appurtenances situate standing lying and being in the West end of the Town of Claxton otherwise Long Clawson and which I purchased to me and my Heirs of and from my Brother John Kingston and now in his possession unto my said Dear and Loving Wife Eleanor Kingston for and during the Term of her Natural and from and after her Decease Then I Give and devise the same unto my  son Joseph Kingston his heirs and assignes for ever

Also I Give and Devise All those Several pieces and parcels of Land arable meadow pasture and Grass Ground with the appurtenances lying and being dispersedly in the West End Fields of Claxton otherwise Long Clawson aforesaid Containing by Estimation half an oxgang of Land or thereabout and which I purchased to me and my heirs of and from my Brothers William and Francis Kingston and now I my own possession unto my said Dear and Loving Wife Eleanor for and during the Term of her Natural Life and from and after her Decease then I Give and Devise the same unto my two Daughters Elizabeth Kingston and Hannah Kingston their heirs and assignes for ever To hold as Tenants in Common and not as Joynt Tenants

Also all my Goods Chattles Cattle and personal Estate of what Nature kind or Quality soever the same is my Debts Legacys and funeral expences being first thereout paid and discharged I Give and bequeath unto my said Dear and Loving Wife Eleanor whom I doe hereby Appoint full and Sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby Revoaking all former Wills and Testaments by me at anytime heretofore made declaring this to be my last Will and Testament

In Witness whereof I the said Thomas Kingston the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament containing two Sheets of paper sett my Hand and Seal to each sheet this six and Twentieth day of April in the Year of our Lord one Thousand seven Hundred and Sixty One

                                                                                                         Thomas Kingston

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Thomas Kingston 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

Susannah Greathead

Robert Turvill

Will Reeve

The 10 day of July 1771 Eleanor Kingston the sole Executrix within named was sworn to the True Execution of the within written Will

                                                                                                         By me G Coulton Surrogate