Richard Stokes of Long Clawson 1772 Will
Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives PR/T/1772/170
In the Name of God amen I Richard Stokes of Clawson otherwise Long Claxton in the County of Leicester Shepherd, being mindful of my mortality do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say
First and principally I commend my Soul 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 Executrix afternamed and as for my worldly effects of which I may die possest I dispose of the same as Follows
Imprimis I give to my three Daughters Elizabeth Mary and Frances Stokes the sum of Ten pounds apiece to be paid them in the manner hereafter mentioned that is to say if my dear wife Frances Stokes shall happen to Marry again then the three aforesaid Legacies of Ten pounds each to be paid to my said Daughters as they shall severally attain the age of twenty one years but if she remain a Widow then the three said Legacies not to be paid till her death unless she my said wife shall choose to pay any of them sooner
All the then rest and residue of my goods Cattle Chattels and personal estate of what kind the same are or in whose Custody the same may be found after all my Just debts and funeral Expences are discharged I give to my said Wife Frances Stokes whom I hereby nominate and appoint full and sole Executrix of this my Will hereby revoking all former Wills at any time by me made confirming this as my Last Will and Testament
In Wittness whereof I the said Testator have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Twenty eight day of December One Thousand seven Hundred and seventy Two
Rich Stokes 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
W Barnes
Henry Stokes
This Codicil to be taken as part of the above Will that is to say if any of my said three Daughters Elizabeth Mary or Frances Stokes shall happen to depart this Life before they receive their aforesaid Legacies that then her or their Legacy or Legacies shall be paid unto the Survivor or Survivors of them
As Wittness my hand the day and year above Written
Rich Stokes his mark
W Barnes
Henery Stokes
The 7th day of May 1772 Frances Stokes the within named Sole Executrix was Sworn to the due Execution hereof
Before Us Edward Taylor