The last Will and Testament of John Man Gent

of Castle Street in the Borough of Reading in the County of Berks.  That is to say, I Give to my Son William Man all that my Freehold Estate situated in Castle Street in the Borough aforesaid, now let to Miss Welch, with the appertinances thereunto  belonging to keep or dispose of the same in what way he pleases.  I Give to my Daughter Maria Man all that my adjoining Freehold house, now let to Peter Pineau, Esqre with the appurtenances thereto belonging to keep or dispose of the same in whatever manner she may hereafter please.  And to prevent as far as possible future disputes, my will is that the partition Wall and fence between the two Gardens should be considered as annexed and a part of the same House hereby bequeathed to my Son William and my Will further is that the Pump shall remain common to both houses and be repaired at their joint expense and that the Writings be kept by William Man subject to the inspection of his Sister or whoever she may appoint.  I also Give to my Daughter Maria Man all that my Freehold tenement wherein I now reside situated in Castle Street aforesaid and adjoining the above mentioned Freeholds with the appurtinances thereto belonging with the same right of disposal as above mentioned in respect to the adjoining house hereby devised to her.  I Give to my Son William Man and my Daughter Maria Man the Six Cottages I built at the North end of my premises to hold the same jointly and the rents arising therefrom to be equally divided between them with the same right of disposal thereof as above mentioned.  I Likewise Give to them jointly all that my Freehold Estate situated at Binfield in the Count of Berks, and now let to Mr Charles Cove together with the Coppice I hold in my own hands and also two acres and a quarter of newly inclosed land, now let to Roberts, together with the rights and appurtenances thereto belonging.  And my meaning is not to entail the above freehold estates but to leave to my Son and Daughter the same right to dispose of them as I myself possess.  But in respect of the last two mentioned Estates, that is to say, the six Cottages and the Binfield Estate neither shall dispose of his or her moiety without the consent of the other, and as long as they retain them undisposed of, the rents and profits to be divided between them share and share alike.  I Give to my two Nieces Emma and Ann Man each the sum of five pounds and the like sum of  five pounds to my Niece Thomasina Baker.  And whereas I have during my life time by Deed of Gift disposed of all my personal property, that is to say, all my household furniture, plate, linen, etc. to my Daughter and all my Books, Instruments and everything not included in the former Gift to my Son, my Will is that each of them do, out of the first proceeds of the Estates hereby devised to them, pay and discharge in equal moieties all my remaining Debts, Funeral expences and the expence of proving this my Will.  And I hereby leave them Executors of this my Will, signed in the bottom of the first leaf with my name and this last with my hand and seal this 28th day of May 1822.

 

Signed and sealed and delivered                                    John Man

In the presence of us

Who in the presence of

Each other have hereunto

Set our names

 

         P Pineau of Reading

 

      C. Pineau         }

                                    }  Daughters of the above

        N S Pineau         }

                  

                                                                    1824 June 9th

                                                         William Mann and Maria Mann the Executors in this Will named were sworn to the truth thereof and as usual and also that the Effects are under £20 in value.

                                                            Before me

                                                                Thos. E. Williams, D.D.

                                                                                   Surrogate

  This Will was proved in the Visitation at Reading on the 9th day of June in the year of our Lord 1824 before the Reverend Thomas Edmund Williams, Clerk, D.D., Surrogate of the Reverend Richard Francis Onslow, Clerk, Master of Arts, Official Principal of the Reverend the Archdeacon of Berks lawfully constituted by the Oaths of William Man and Maria Man, Spinster, the Son and Daughter and Executor and Executrix therein named to whom Adm con was granted being first sworn duly to administer.