Thomas Rodgers 1812 of Eaton will
National Archives PROB 11/1533/409
This is the last Will and Testament of me Thomas Rodgers of Eaton in the County of Leicester Grazier
I give & bequeath all my Goods Chattels Monies Securities & all other the Estate & Effects of which I shall die possessed unto my Brother Anthony Rodgers & my Friends John Sills of Eaton Farmer (late Schoolmaster) & Thomas Blankley of Statherne in the said County Farmer their Exors Admors & Assigns Upon the Trusts & for the intents & purposes hereinafter mentioned that is to say
In the first place to pay my Debts & Funeral Expences & then vest in the Public Funds or upon good approved Land Security as much money as will produce the clear Increase of thirty pounds a year and pay such produce to my Wife Mary Rodgers for so long time as she shall continue my Widow & in case my Wife shall marry again then she shall receive the sum of one hundred pounds & the rest of the money to be so vested shall be divided amongst & paid to my Children in the same manner as I shall direct as to the remainder of my Property but in case she shall die my Widow the whole shall be paid to my Children at her death
In respect to my Household Goods Plate Linen & other household Effects I desire that my Wife may have the use of them for so long time as she shall continue my Widow & that whilst she is a Widow she may dispose of the same to my Children or any of them as she shall think proper either by Gift in her life time or by will at her death but in case she shall marry again my Trustees shall give her sufficient Furniture for one room & the rest they shall hold in Trust for my Children subject to the Provision before made for my Wife
I direct all the rest of my Property to be continued in the present Securities or invested in others & changed from time to time as my Trustees shall think best And the produce thereof paid to my Wife for the maintenance & support of my Children until they shall respectively attain the Age of twenty one years and as & when my said Children shall so attain the Age of twenty one years the principal money shall be equally divided amongst them but the Interest is to be paid to my Wife only in case she continues my Widow if she marries again my Trustees without any Controul or interference of my Wife are to apply the Interest of my Property in the support & education of my Children & if there shall [“be” missing] any Surplus such Surplus to be added to the Principal
And I appoint the said Anthony Rodgers John Sills & Thomas Blankley joint Executors of this my last Will & Testament
And I appoint my Wife & the said Anthony Rodgers John Sills & Thomas Blankley & the Survivors & Survivor of them Guardians & Guardian for my Children during their Minorities
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal this first day of July One thousand eight hundred & four
Thomas Rodgers
Signed Sealed Published & declared by the said Thomas Rodgers the Testator as & for his last Will & Testament in the presence of
James Harrison
Chas Latham
Proved at London 26th May 1812 before the Judge by the Oaths of John Sills & Thomas Blankley two of the Exors they being first Sworn (by Comon) duly to admr power reserved to Anthony Rodgers the Brother & other Exor