Here follows the will of John Man the Elder: 

John Man in the parish of Hurst" in co Berks. Joyner, "infirme in bodily health" ....... considering with myself ye frailty and uncertainty of human life and as much as in me lyeth to prevent all Controversies and Differences after my decease"............

To be Deasently intered as my Executors hear in after named shall think fitt.

I John Man do give Ann my wife all my tenements mesages Lands and premises in Hurst co Berks to such use as in the deeds & settlement I do hearby ratify and confirme.

All and singuler my good chatills and household goods or stufe Ready money debts or stock in trade ........... and all othe my personall Estates.... my just debts.... being first praised I do give ....... unto my loving wife for and during the term of her naturall life and to Receive what money I have owinge of me and to pay my Debts as far as it will go and if any more I desire she will bestow it on to her daugfhters Ann & Frances but not to hurt yourself". " But after my wifes decease I do Give... my Coppyhold Houses and Lands I now Dwelleth in goeth by the name Robin Whoods dwelling houses .... to the onely lise and behoufe to my son John and to his heirs for ever paying to your sister Ann fifteen pound...and to lett your sister Francis have the little hous nere now wheir ye widdo lives in for her life paying you 10 shilling the year for rent and acknowledgement, or the hous and garden full and holey as you think fitt; I leave it to your discretion_ and pay to your brother Thomas ten pounds : and my working tooles shair amongst you & your brothers and in 10 years as you may be prosesed what I have given you pray to pay to your brother and Sister if liveing And I do will and bequeath to my youngest henery man the Little house where Willm Smith now dwelleth with the garden...... for him & his heirs for ever if aney. : paying your sister Ann £10 .... and that the fences where tis now fenced is yours as you may not quarill hearafter and my will is for you to pay your sister in 10 yeares after you are prosesed with what I gave you and I de sier you and your brothers and sisters may live loveingly as you ought to do and be dutifull all to your parents : and I desire you may all of you have one bead and beading and for the other things if I leave any to my wifes dis sposeing as she thinks fitt but not all to one but I hop she will take care of her daughters so I hope you will take care of your own mother & se she do not want anything that is need full : Likewise I do name ....my said loveing wife Ann and her son John

...executors..... and I do Likewise name desier and apoint [blank] ( names of overseers obviously omitted )

......... in witnes whereof I the said John man have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seale thie seventh day of march" 1747

[signed] John Man
(Willm Crockford}
Susanna Smith } Witnesses. William Dean }

[ Attached is ] A summetery of the Goods of Ffany man [endorsement]

A summitery of My Daughter frances Goods her Grand mother gave her in her bead Chamber a very handsom pare of Chest and 
drawers walnut tree a handsome Chest of speckelld wood staningon a hand some frame and some picters [ and chairs ] 
* erased a feather bead and bead sted and Curtains; all belonging to the bead 4 puter dishes one duzen of all the best
plates and my clock and the great looking glass ( + inserted ) [ ½ a dusen of the best Cane chairs ] and the warming 
pan of your grandmothers. So pray son [John][pray son] Se that she is not ronged of her Wright ]; it is my desier 
she should have all this; if I nor your mother do not denigh her of them tis my mind at presant August the 5th 1750.
Wittnes my hand John Man

 

[Both the will itself and this summary are in the same hand, evidently that of John Man himself. ] [The will is endorsed:-] "John Man Joyner The Elder his will;

Proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury by Ann Man Widow and John Man the son, executors, 10 Dec 1750


[ note on back ] "This testator was formerly of the Parish of Hurst in the County of Berks but late of the Parish of St George in the County of Middlesex [where he had resided two months] (* interlineated ) and dyed 24th day of November last.