Henry Parnham of Stathern 1802 Will

Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives PR/T/1802/144

This is the Last Will and Testament of me Henry Parnham of Stathern in the County of Leicester Farmer

First I desire to be buried in decent manner at the discretion of my Executor hereinafter named And as for my Worldly Estate which it hath pleased God to bless me with I Give and dispose thereof as follows

I Give and devise unto my Nephew William Musson Second son of my Brother in Law Benjamin Musson of Barkston in the County of Leicester All that my Customary or Copyhold Messuage or Tenement and Homestead And also all those several pieces and parcels of Arable Land Ley Meadow Pasture and Grass Ground containing by Estimation or commonly reputed to be three Oxgangs or thereabouts situate standing lying and being in Stathern aforesaid with their and every of their Appurtenances (and which said premises I have surrendered to the use of this my said Will) To have and to hold the said Customary or Copyhold Messuage or Tenement Homestead Lands Hereditaments and premises with their Appurtenances (subject to and charged and chargeable with the Annuities or yearly rents hereinafter mentioned) unto him my said Nephew William Musson his heirs and assigns for every

Also I Give devise and bequeath unto my Sister Martha Towe the Wife of William Towe of Cottgrave in the County of Nottingham Labourer and her assigns for and during the Term of her natural Life One Annuity clear yearly rent or sum of six pounds of lawful money of Great Britain Free of Taxes and all other Deductions whatsoever to be issuing and payable out of the said Messuage or Tenement Homestead Lands Hereditaments and premises and to be paid and payable by equal half yearly payments on the two most usual Feasts or days of payment in the year (that is to say) the twenty fifth day of March and the twenty ninth day of September 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 also I give devise and bequeath unto my Sister Mary Musson the Wife of the said Benjamin Musson and her assigns for and during the Term of her natural Life One Annuity clear yearly rent or sum of six pounds of lawful money of Great Britain Free of Taxes and all other Deductions whatsoever to be issuing and payable out of the said Messuage or Tenement Homestead Lands Hereditaments and premises and to be paid and payable by equal half yearly payments on the two most usual Feasts or days of payment in the year (that is to say) the twenty fifth day of March and the twenty ninth day of September 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 and every the said Messuage or Tenement Homestead Lands Hereditaments and premises with the just and true payment of the said several Annuities yearly rents or sums of money accordingly And my Will is that in case the same Annuities yearly rents or sum of money or either of them or any part thereof shall be behind or unpaid for the space of twenty eight days next over or after either of the aforesaid days whereon the same are hereinbefore directed to be paid as aforesaid Then and so often it shall and may be lawful for the said Martha Towe and Mary Musson or either of them their or either of their assigns to enter upon all and every or any Part of the said premises so Charged with the said Annuities as hereinbefore mentioned and distrain for the same or for so much thereof as shall be so in Arrear And all costs and Charges occasioned by non-payment thereof

I Give and bequeath unto my Niece Jane Musson Daughter of the said Benjamin Musson the sum of twenty pounds

Also I Give and bequeath unto my nephew Henry Towe the sum of Two pounds

Also I Give and bequeath unto my nephew George Parnham the sum of five pounds

Also I Give and bequeath unto my nephew and nieces William, John, Elizabeth, Mary, Fortune, Damsin and Martha the Children of my said Sister Martha Towe the sum of Five pounds to be equally divided between them share and share alike

Also I Give and bequeath unto my nephews and nieces William, Benjamin, John, Elizabeth, Fortune, Catharine, Damsin and Tryphana the Children of my Brother William Parnham the sum of five pounds to be equally divided between them share and share alike

And also I Give and bequeath unto my nephews and nieces Benjamin, William, Elizabeth, Mary, Fortune, Tryphana, Ann, Sarah and Alice the Children of my said Sister Mary Musson the sum of five pounds to be equally divided between them share and share alike

And also I Give and bequeath unto my Nieces Ann Alice and Mary the Daughters of my Brother George Parnham the sum of five pounds to be equally divided between them share and share alike

And also I Give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Parnham late the Wife of my Nephew John Parnham deceased and to her Children William and Elizabeth the sum of five pounds to be equally divided between them share and share alike

And also I Give and bequeath unto my Sister in Law Ann Parnham and Alice Stevenson the sum of One pounds apiece

All which said several Legacies I will shall be paid within twelve months next after my decease by my Executor hereinafter named

And Lastly I Give and bequeath all and singular my Household Goods other Goods Stock Cattle Chattels Implements of Husbandry rights Credits ready money and Securities for money and all other my personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever (my debts Legacies and Funeral Expences being first paid and discharged) unto my said Brother in Law Benjamin Musson whom I do hereby  nominate constitute and appoint full and sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all former Wills by me made

In Witness whereof I the said Henry Parnham the Testator have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirtieth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty Eight

                                                                                                         Henry Parnham

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Henry Parnham the Testator as and for his Last Will and Testament written on two Sheets of paper to each of which Sheets he hath set his hand and to the last hath fixed his Seal 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

Edwd C Stokes

John Sumner

William Black

Bond, bound Benjamin and William Musson both graziers of Barkston Leicestershire and John Selby grazier of Stathern £160 16 November 1802.  Benjamin Musson brother in law of testator was sole Executor but died in lifetime of testator.  Bound Benjamin and William Musson nephews of testator to produce inventory and administer estate

                                                                                                         Benjamin Musson

                                                                                                         William Musson

                                                                                                         John Selby

November the 16 1802

Let Administration of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the within named Henry Parnham deceased with his will annexed be granted and committed under seal to the within bound Benjamin Musson and William Musson the nephews and two of the next of kin of the said deceased

They being duly sworn as well to the faithful Administration of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased according to the Tenor and Effect of the said will as that the said Goods Chattels and Credits do not amount in value to the sum of One hundred pounds

                                                                                                         Before me Tho: Ford Surrogate