The following is the Court
copy of John Man the Elder's Will.
In the name of God Amen
I John Man in the Parish of Hurst in the County of Berks, Joyner, being infirm
in Bodily Health but of Sound and disposing Mind and Memory, Praised be
therefore given to almighty God, yet Considering with my Self the ffrailty and
uncertainty of humane Life and as much as in me lyeth to Prevent all
Controversies and differences after my decease do make, Publish, and declare
this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following: that is to Say,
first and Principally I recommended my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God who
gave it relying on his Mercy and precious death and Meritt of my only Saviour
and Redeemer Jesus Christ for the Remission of Sins in this Life and to be
Pertakers of Everlasting Glory in the Life to come and my Body I Commit to the
Earth to be decently interred as my Executors hereinafter named shall
think fitt as touching all such Worldly Estates as God in his Great Goodness
hath best owed upon me. I give
will and dispose of the same as followeth, Viz:
Imprimus that I John Man do give Ann my Wife all my Tenements,
Messuages, Lands and Premisses in
hurst in the County of Beark to such use as in the Deeds of
Settlement is mentioned and expressed and which said Settlement I do
hereby ratify and Confirm. Item, all and Singular my Goods, Chattells,
Household Goods or Stuffe, ready money, debts, Stock in Trade and all other
my Personal Estates whatsoever, my Just Debts and ffuneral Charges being first
Praised. I do hereby give
and Will the Interest, Profits and Benefits of the same of every Part thereof
unto my said loving Wife for and during the Term of her natural Life and to
receive what Money I have owing of me and to Pay my Debts as far as it will
go, and if any more I desire she will bestow it on her to Daughters Ann
and ffrances but not to hurt yourself. But
after my Wifes Decease I do give, will and bequeth my Copyhold Houses and
Lands I now dwelleth in goeth by the name of Robin Hoods dwelling houses with
all Outhouses, Orchards, Gardens thereunto belonging, and all Messuages and
Tenements to the only use and behoof to my Son John and to his Heirs forever,
Paying to your Sister Ann fifteen
Pounds of good and lawful money and to lett your Sister ffrancis have the
little house next where the Widow Lives in for her Life, paying you Two
Shilling the year for Rent for acknowledgement or the House and Garden full
and XXXXX as you think fitt. I
leave it to your discretion; and pay to your Brother Thomas ten pounds; and my
Working Tools share amongst you and your Brothers; and in to years, as
you may be possessed what I have given you, pray pay to your Brothers and
Sister if living; and I do will and bequeath to my youngest Son Henry Man the
Little House where Willm Smith now dwelleth with the Garden as far
as tis Parted containing about 15 pole more or less for him and his heirs
forever, if any, paying your sister Ann Ten Pounds of good and lawful money of
Great Britain and that the fence is where now tis fenced is yours as you may
not Quarrell hereafter; and my Will and Pleasure is for you to pay your Sister
in to years after you are possessed with what I gave you; and I desire
you and your Brothers and Sisters may live Lovingly as you ought to do and be
dutiful all to your parents; and I desire you may have all of you one Bed and
Bedding; and for the other things if I leave any to my Wifes disposing as she
thinks fitt but not all to XXX out. I
hope she will take care of her Daughters, so I hope you will take care of your
Mother and see she do not want any thing that is needful; likewise. I do name,
constitute and appoint my said loving Wife Ann and her Son John full and Sole
Executors of this my last Will and Testament and I do likewise name, desire
and appoint. I hereby ratify and confirm these presente to Stand good as my
last Will and Testament. In
Witness whereof I the said John Man have to this my last Will and Testament
Set my Hand and Seal the Seventh Day of March one thousand seven hundred and
forty seven in the Twentieth year of our Sovereign Lord George the Second King
of England. John Man Signed,
Sealed, Published and Declared by the said John Man to be his last Will and
Testament the day and year above Written in the Presence of us who Subscribed
our names as Witnesses hereunto in his presence the Words being first.
interlined John Man. Willm
Crockford, Susanna Smith, William Dean, Witnesses.
A
Summatery of the Capital
Goods of ffanny Man.
A Summatery of
my Daughter ffrances Goods her Grand Mother gave her in her Bed Chamber – a
very Handsome Pair of Chest and Drawers, Walnut tree, a Handsom Dressing
Table, and a Trunk, and a handsome Chest of Speckled Wood standing on a
Handsome fframe, and some pictures, a ffeather Bed and Beadstead, and
Curtains, and all belonging to the Bed, 4 Pewter Dishes, one Dozen of the best
Plates, and my Clock, and the Great looking Glass, half a Dozen of the best
Cane Chairs, and the Warming Pan of your Grand Mothers.
So pray Son John so that she is not wronged of her right.
It is my desire she should have all this if I nor your Mother do not
XXXXX of them tis my Mind at present, August 5: 1750. Witness
my name, John Man.
This Will
was proved at London with a Codicil annexed before the Worshipful John Bottesworth
Sort of XX Surrogate of the Right
Worshipful John Bottesworth, also Doctor of Laws, Master Keeper or Commissary
of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted the tenth day of
December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred fifty by the Oaths
of Ann Man Widow the Relict and John Man the Son of the Deceased and Executors
named in the Will to which Administration was granted of all and Singular the
Goods, Chattels and Credits of the said Deceased being first sworn only to
administer. Exd.
NOTES: 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.