Edward Wilford of Stathern 1773 Will
Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives, Leicestershire Wills and Probate Records
In the Name of God Amen I Edward Wilford the Elder of Statherne in the County of Leicester Farmer being Sick and weak in Body but of sound Mind Memory and understanding and Considering the uncertainty of this Life Do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (That is to say)
First of all I give my Soul to God who gave it me And my Body I Commit to the Earth to be decently interred at the direction of my Executor hereinafter named And as for my worldly Estate which hath pleased God to bless me with I give and dispose thereof as follows
In the first place I give and bequeath unto my Son Francis Wilford the Sum of Twenty pounds to be paid him within three Months next after my Decease by my Executor herein after named
And Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Wilford the Sum of Forty pounds to be paid her within three months next after my decease by my said Executor
And Also I give and bequeath unto my Eldest Son Edward Wilford the Sum of One Shilling to be paid him immediately after my decease by my said Executor
And Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Ann Wilford the Sum of Thirty Pounds to be paid her when and as soon as she shall attain her Age of Twenty one years by my said Executor
And Also I give and bequeath unto my Son William Wilford the Sum of Thirty Pounds to be paid him when and as soon as he shall Attain his Age of Twenty one years by my said Executor
And Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Sarah Wilford the Sum of Thirty Pounds to be paid her when and as soon as She shall Attain her Age of Twenty one years by my said Executor But my mind and Will is that in Case any of my said three younger Children Anne Wilford William Wilford and Sarah Wilford shall Dye and Depart this Life before they Attaine their said Severall and respective Age or Ages of Twenty one years That then and in such Case the Legacy or Legacies of him her or them do Dying shall go and be paid to the Survivor and Survivors of them share and Share alike
And Also I give and Devise All those Several pieces and parcells of Arrable Land Ley Meadow Pasture and grass ground lying and being dispersed in the Several Fields liberties precincts and Territories of Statherne aforesaid in the said County of Leicester and Containing by Estimation One Oxgang and an half of Land or thereabouts which I purchased of and from One Roger Barnes and which is now in my own Tenure or Occupation unto my Son John Wilford his heirs and Assignes for every (Subject nevertheless to the payment of the said Severall and respective Legacies so given and bequeathed by me as aforesaid)
But my Mind and Will further is That in Case my said Son John Wilford shall Dye and Depart this Life without Issue of his Body lawfully begotten Then as to for and Concerning All that Oxgang of Land part thereof I give and Devise unto my Son Francis Wilford his heirs and Assigns for ever And as to for and Concerning All that Half Oxgang of Land residue thereof I give and Devise unto my Son William Wilford his heirs and Assignes forever Subject nevertheless by them my said Two Sons Francis Wilford and William Wilford and their respective heirs and assignes to a proportionable part of the full payment of the aforesaid several and respective Legacies so given and bequeathed by me as aforesaid whereby the personal Estate of my said Son John Wilford may not in any wise be lyable therewith
And Also I give and bequeath unto my Dear and loving Wife Susannah Wilford Two Beds Bedding and Furniture One whereof stands in the Parlour And the other in the great Chamber belonging to my now dwelling House in Statherne aforesaid to be delivered unto her immediately after my decease by my said Executor
And also I give and bequeath unto my said Dear Wife Susannah Wilford what necessary Household goods as she shall think fit to be delivered to her after my Decease by my said Executor
And Also I give and bequeath unto my said Wife Susannah Wilford Two Cowes as she shall Choose out of any of my other Cowes together with Fodder for the keeping of the said Cowes And also Six Sheep and One Pigg
And Also I give and bequeath unto my said Wife Susannah Wilford Twelve Strike of Barley four strike of wheat Six strike of Pease and Three Strike of Malt together with One Load of Coals every year free of all Charges whatsoever And also one Load of Furze to be delivered to my said Wife at her own House by my said Executor
And Lastly All the rest residue and Remainder of my Goods Stock Cattle Chattels Rights Credits and Personal Estate of what kind or nature soever (my Debts Legacies and Funerall Expences being first paid and Discharged) I give and bequeath unto my said Son John Wilford whom I Do hereby Appoint full and Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament Revoking all former and other wills by me at any time heretofore made
In Witness whereof I the said Edward Wilford the Elder and Testator have hereunto Set my Hand and Seal the Sixth Day of June in the yeare of our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty three
Ed Willford
Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the said Edward Wilford the Father and Testator to be his last Will and Testament In the Presence of us the Witnesses under written who Have at his request And in his Presence And in the Presence of Each other Set our hands as Witnesses to the Execution of this is said Will
Edwd Stokes Junr
John Willford
Thomas Garves
The 29th day of April 1773 John Wilford the Sole Executor above named was sworn to the due Execution of the above written will
Before me Thos Myddelton Surrogt