Musson Thomas 1773 of Long Clawson will

Thomas Musson of Long Clawson 1773 Will

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

In the name of God Amen I Thomas Musson of Long Clawson otherwise Claxton in the County of Leicester yeoman being sick in body but of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner Following that is to say

First and principally I commend my Soule to the Almighty Who gave it and my body to the Dust from whence it was taken to be decently interr’d at the Charge and discretion of my Executors herein after named and for my worldly Goods of which I may die possest I give and dispose of the same as follows

Imprimis I give and devise all and singular my goods Cattle Chattels and personal Estate of what nature or kind the Same are and in whose Custody they may be found unto my Father in Law Thomas Fillingham of Holwell and John Marriott and Edward Wright of Long Clawson otherwise Long Claxton Yeoman in Trust and for the Several Use and Uses hereafter more particularly Mentioned

First my will is that the said Thomas Fillingham, John Marriott and Edward Wright shall deliver to my dear Wife Elizabeth Musson for her sole use and Benefit the Best Bed with all and every the Appurtenances thereunto belonging, also one Chest of Drawers, one Table and half a dozen Chairs which are now standing in my best Chamber and my will further is that the said Thomas Fillingham, John Marriott and Edward Wright shall as soon as Conveniently may be done after my decease take an Exact value of my Effects and my will is that my dear Wife shall have the sole use of all my said effects so Long as she remain as Widow and if she remain a Widow during the remainder of her Life my Will is that she my Said wife have Liberty to dispose of the same to my Children only at what Time and What proportion she pleases

But if my said wife should happen to marry again my Will is that the said Thomas Fillingham, John Marriott and Edward Wright or the survivor of them shall divide my Effects into three Equal parts one part to my Wife and the other two parts to be divided Equally between my Son James Musson and the Child or Children of which my said wife is great With Child that is to say if my wife should have two children then the said two thirds to be divided into three equaly parts but if she has only one Child then the said two thirds to be divided into two Equal parts and my will is further that the said Thomas Fillingham, John Marriott and Edward Wright or the survivor of them shall keep the said parts appointed for my Children at Interest until they attain the age of twenty one Years and pay or Cause to be paid the said interest unto my said Wife towards the maintenance and Education of my said Children and my Will further is that if one of my children should happen to die that his her or their parts shall be paid to the survivor of them, and if all my children should die before they attain the age of twenty one years my will is that his her or their parts go to my said Wife if she be then Living

But if she be departed this Life my Will is the same be divided equally between my brother James Musson and My sister in Law Ann Fillingham or their Heirs and my will further is that if my Father James Musson Leaves my brother in Law Henry Gutteridge that The said Thomas Fillingham, John Marriott and Edward Wright think that he want Support I hereby empower them to pay him any sum not exceeding Five pounds in one year out of my effects during his Life and hereby nominate and appoint the said Thomas Fillingham, John Marriott and Edward Wright Joint Executors of this my Will hereby revoking all former Wills at any time by me Made Confirming this only as my Last Will and Testament

In Wittness whereof I the said Testator have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Seventeenth day of October One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Two

                                                                                                         Thos Musson his Mark

Signed sealed published and declared by the Within Named Testator for and as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our names as Wittnesses in his presence at his Request

Wm Barnes

Ann Fillingham

On the 29th day of April 1773 Thos Fillingham one of the Executors above nam’d was sworn to the due Execution hereof and at the same time Power was reserved for John Marriott and Edward Wright the other Executors

                                                                                                         Before me Thos Myddelton Surrogt