George Rouse of Long Clawson 1785 Will
Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives, Leicestershire Wills and Probate Record 1785
In the Name of God Amen I George Rouse the Elder of Claxton otherwise Long Clawson in the County of Leicester Blacksmith being weak in Body but blessed be God of sound mind and memory Do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in form and manner following That is to say
First I recommend my Soul to God who gave it me, and my Body to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executrix herein after named, And as touching my worldly Estate and Effects which I shall die possessed of, I dispose of the same as follows That is to say
Imprimis I give and devise unto my loving wife Mary Rouse All my Messuage or Tenement wherein I now dwell together with the Homestead and all other the Appurtenances to them belonging for and during the Term of her natural Life And from and after the decease of my said wife I give and devise One undivided fourth part of the same unto my Son John Rouse his Heirs and Assigns for ever, One undivided fourth part of the same unto my Son Richard Rouse his Heirs and Assigns for ever, One undivided fourth part of the same unto my Son Edward Rouse his Heirs and Assigns for ever, and the other remaining fourth part of the same unto my Son Thomas Rouse his Heirs and Assigns for ever Subject nevertheless to the payment of Ten pounds as herein is more particularly aftermentioned That is to say five pounds thereof to my Daughter Rosamond Rouse and five pounds thereof to my Daughter Sarah Rouse The said sums to be paid by my aforesaid Sons within twelve months after the decease of my said wife Each to pay one fourth part of the said sums for his respective fourth part of the said Messuage or Tenement Homestead and Appurtenances
And my mind and Will further is that if either or both of my said Daughters should die before their respective Legacy becomes due, then each of their respective Legacies so dying shall be paid to such person or persons and for such [“use” missing] and uses as she or they shall by Will or otherwise in the presence of two or more Credible Witnesses direct the same to be paid And in case either or both of them die and make no such direction as aforesaid then her or their respective Legacy shall be paid to all and every of her respective Child or Children which she or they shall have then living And in case either or both of them shall die and have no Child or Children nor make no such direction as aforesaid that then her or their Legacy or Legacies shall be equally divided amongst my aforesaid Sons or their respective Assigns
Item I give and devise unto my said loving wife her Heirs and Assigns for ever my One fourteenth part of a wind Mill with its Appurtenances standing and being in the West end Liberty of Claxton otherwise Long Clawson aforesaid
Item I give and bequeath to my Son George Rouse the sum of one Shilling
Item I give and bequeath to my said loving wife All my Household goods or furniture of all kinds whatsoever for and during the Term of her natural Life And from and after her decease I give and bequeath the same unto my two Daughters Rosamond and Sarah Rouse to be equally divided between them And my mind and Will is that if either of them should die before my said wife leaving no Child or Children her part shall go to the survivour of them but if she leave Child or Children then she may direct who shall have her part or share of the said Household Goods in the presence of two or more Witnesses as aforementioned or in case both of them should die before my said wife and leave no Child or Children the longest liver of them may direct who shall have the said Goods at my said wife’s decease
All the rest and residue of my Cattle Chattels and personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever Not herein by me disposed of I give and bequeath to my said loving wife Mary Rouse whom I do hereby make constitute and appoint whole and sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament
In Witness whereof I the said George Rouse have to this my last Will and Testament set my Hand and Seal this seventeenth Day of August in the Year of our Lord One Thousand seven Hundred and eighty
George Rouse
Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his Request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto
John Doubleday
John Pickard
Robert Goodacre
4th May 1785
Let a Probat be made to Mary Rouse the sole Executrix within named she being duly sworn as well to the faithful execution of the Will as that the Testator’s Goods Chattels and Credits do not amount in value to the sum of Twenty pounds
before me Hen: Hough, Surrogate
