John Watkin of Nether Broughton 1789 Will
Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives PR/T/1789/190
This is the last Will and Testament of me John Watkin of Nether Broughton in the County of Leicester frame-work-knitter
First I desire to be Buried in my own orchard at as low expence as My executrixes think fit, and as for my small Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with, I give devise and dispose of as follows
First I will that all my just debts and funeral expences be paid by my executrixes hereinafter named
First I give and bequeath to my Son Isaac Watkin the Sum of ten pounds which is part of a book debt due from him to me for value received also I give him a pair of lesser bench vice exclusive of the large ones I gave him in time past
Also I give and devise to my beloved wife Elizabeth Watkin all and every my house Houses orchards Gardens with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging & all my Household goods (except tow Beds and Beding thereunto belonging hereinafter named)
All other Goods of all kinds and wheresoever they be also my Stocking-frame and all my working tools wheresoever they be, also all my Bees and all things belonging to them, and all my Substance whatsoever and wheresoever I give to my beloved Wife Elizabeth Watkin for her peaceably to enjoy during the term of her life or to sell when she will, and after her decease I devise the same to my son John Watkin and my four Daughters namely Mary Watkin, Elizabeth Lacy, Martha Watkin and Hannah Watkin, to be equally divided amongst them Share and Share alike, except two Beds before named which I give to my two daughters namely Martha and Hannah Watkin each of them one
And after my wifes decease if the major part of my Daughters above named consent to sell the Donation they may, and my mind and will is if any of my Daughters above named Die before the Donation be sold & leave no issue of the body lawfully begotten then and in such a case I give and devise her Share unto her Surviving Sisters above named to be equally devided amongst them Share and Share alike but if she leave issue I give & devise her Share unto her issue
And I ordain my beloved Wife Elizabeth Watkin and my Daughter Mary Watkin my joint Executrixes of this my last Will and testament revoking all former Wills be me at any time heretofore made
In Wittness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and Seal this twelfth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty three
John Watkin
Signed sealed published and declared by the said John Watkin as his last Will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names
William Wright
William Wright Junr
Thomas Wright
Octr 10th 1789 Appeared Elizth Watkins [sic] and Mary Watkins the joint Executrixes named in the within written Will & were sworn to the due execution thereof and made Oath that the Personal Estate of the Testator was under the Value of Ten Pounds