Robert Whitaker of Stathern 1772 Will
Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives PR/T/1772/203
In the Name of God Amen I Robert Whitaker of Stathern in the County of Leicester Taylor being weak in Body but of sound Mind and Memory do this twenty eighth day of May one thousand seven hundred and seventy two make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say)
First I will that all such Debts as I shall justly owe at the time of my Decease and my funeral Charges and Expences be fully paid and satisfied by my Executrix hereinafter named and as to my Estates both real and personal I dispose thereof as follows
I Give and devise unto my loving wife Ann All that my Cottage or Tenement and Homestead thereto Adjoining with the Beast and Sheep Commons and other the Appurtenances thereunto belonging situate standing lying and being in the Town fields Liberties Precincts and Territories of Stathern aforesaid and now in my own possession To Hold the same unto my said loving wife Ann and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life and from and after her Decease Then I Give and Devise the same Cottage or Tenement Homestead with the Beast and Sheep Commons and other the appurtenances thereunto belonging unto my Son Thomas Whitaker and Mary his wife for their Lives and the life of the longer Liver of them and from and after their deceases and the Decease of the longer liver of them Then to the use and Behoofe of the heirs of the Body of said Son Thomas Whitaker on the Body of the said Mary his wife lawfully begotten or to be begotten and in Default of such Issue Then to the use and Behoofe of my own right heirs for ever
I Give and Devise unto my said Wife Ann All those several pieces and parcels of arable Land Ley Meadow and Pasture Ground with their and every of their Appurtenances situate lying and being in the Town fields Liberties Precincts and territories of Stathern aforesaid and containing by estimation half an Oxgang of Land To Hold the same unto my said wife Ann and her assigns for and during the Term of her natural life and from and after her Decease then I Give and Devise the same and every part thereof unto my said Son Thomas Whitaker his heirs and Assigns for ever and to and for none other use Behoofe Intent or Purpose whatsoever
I Give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Isabella the wife of Joseph Rowse the Sum of four pounds
I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Whitaker the Sum of eight pounds which said two Legacies hereinbefore by me given I do Direct shall be paid by my Executrix hereinafter named within twelve Months next after my Decease
I also give and Bequeath unto my said Daughter Mary Whitaker my Bed Bedstead with all the Hangings and furniture thereto belonging together with the least Chest and two Boxes which said Bed Bedstead Hangings Chest and Boxes are now standing in the Chamber belonging to my now dwelling house my biggest Pan and least Pan my Oval Table and Tea Table six Chairs three of which are black and the other three white two pewter Dishes six Trenchers my seven Gallon Barrel and also the Bed Bedstead Hangings and furniture thereto belonging standing in the Parlour belonging to my said Dwelling house
All the Rest and Residue of my Goods Chattels and personal Estate of what nature or kind soever I Give and bequeath unto my said wife Ann whom I do hereby make constitute and appoint sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time heretofore made
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the Day and Year first above written
The mark of Robert Whitaker
Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the said Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our Names as Witnesses hereunto in the presence and at the Request of the said Testator the several Interlineations being first made in the Body of the said Will
Will Bragg
Joseph Alderman
Simon Bagworth
20th July 1772 Ann Whitaker the Executrix of the within named Robert Whitaker deced was Sworn Before me that the Effects of the deced did not at the Time of his Death amount to the Sum of twenty Pounds
Thos Myddelton Surrogt