Lonsdale Christopher 1783 of Stathern Will

Christopher Lonsdale of Stathern 1783 will

National Archives PROB 11/1105/187

In the Name of the Holy and undivided Trinity three Persons and one God Amen I Christopher Lonsdale Rector of Stathern in the County of Leicester being of sound mind memory and understanding do make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say

I do first and principally commend my Soul to God hoping for her [sic] Mercy in and thro’ the alone Merits and mediation of my only Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

My Body I commit to the Earth to be decently Buried at the discretion of my Executrix

And as to my Worldly Goods I dispose of them as follows namely

I give devise and bequeath unto my dear and beloved Wife Sarah Lonsdale all those Fifteen Acres of wood and wood Ground be the same more or less with the Appurtenances thereunto belonging or any wise appertaining called and known by the name of Michalots [?] Wood lying and being in the Parish of Lynton in the County of Cambridge lately belonging to Thomas Sclater King Esqr deceased and afterwards to the Right Honorable Thomas Lord Montfort of whom I purchased the same and Also all other my Lands and Tenements whatsoever I give devise and bequeath unto my said well beloved Wife Sarah Lonsdale to have and to hold all the said Fifteen Acres of Wood and Wood Ground and all other the aforesaid Premises unto her my said Wife her Heirs and Assigns for ever

And Whereas I am and now stand possessed of the Sum of three hundred Pounds in the new Joint Stock of South Sea Annuities I give devise and bequeath the said three hundred pounds Joint Stock unto my dear Wife Sarah Londale [sic] aforesaid her Heirs and Assigns for ever together with all the Interest that shall be due for the same at the time of my decease

I also five and bequeath unto my dear Wife aforesaid all my Ready Money Securities for Money Jewels Plate linen Household Furniture Books Printed and Manuscript papers and all other Writings all rents and Arrears of Rents whatsoever and wheresoever that shall be due at the time of my decease and all and every the rest of my Goods Chattels Credits Hereditaments and Personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature kind or Quality soever I give and bequeath to my said loving Wife her Heirs and Assigns Subjecting the same to the payment of all my Just Debts and Funeral Expences

I also give and bequeath five pounds to the Poor of the Parish of Stathern aforesaid to be paid by my Executrix into the hands of George Bugg to be by him with the Curate and Churchwardens distributed amongst the said Poor regard being had Principally to poor Widows large Familys and to such as have constantly attended divine Service on the Lods Day

I also give Five pounds to such poor persons of the Parish of Lynton aforesaid as my Executrix shall deem most deserving

I also give and bequeath the Sum of Ten Pounds to Mr William Burford late of Cheapside No 48 in the City of London Hosier to be paid to him within three Months next after my decease by my Executrix

And lastly I nominate and Appoint my said Wife Sarah Lonsdale Sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking former Wills by me at any time heretofore made

In Witness whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament all written with my own hand set my hand and Seal this Sixteenth Day of December 1781

                                                                                                                Chr Lonsdale

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the Testator Christopher Lonsdale as and for his last Will and Testament in the Presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have Subscribed our names as Witnesses thereunto

Thos Barker

John Gibbs

Richard Prior

This Will was proved at London the twenty third day of June in the Year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and eighty three before the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Sarah Lonsdale Widow the Relict of the deceased and Sole Executrix named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased having been first Sworn by Commission duly to Administer