Will written and proved in 1761
Of Great Marlow. Says is indisposed of body but sound of mind and memory.
Asks to be buried in whatever parish he dies in and that funerary expenses should not exceed £50.
Gives all wearing apparel both linen and woollen to his manservant Benjamin Beaver. If Benjamin is still living with him at time of testator's death he gets £100 too.
To all other servants living with him at time of death £10 each over and above any wages due to them.
All freehold messuages, tenements, lands and hereditaments with their appurtenances in Great Marlow to kinsman Samuel Norman of Henley on Thames Oxfordshire and his heirs in trust for benefit of testator's nephew William Griffin son of his brother Nathaniel. He is to get annuity of ten pounds to be paid out in quarterly installments that is 25th march, 24th June, the 29th September and and the 25th December. First payment to be made on the first of those days occuring after his death. Also trust to pay yearly sum of £20 from profits of these messuages etc towards the maintenance of kinsman Benjamin Griffin Jackson son of testator's niece Hester Jackson paid in such manner as the said Samuel Norman shall feel most fit and proper for him until he reaches the age of 21 at which time the £20 annual payment for the benefit of Benjamin Griffin Jackson shall cease and he will get the property instead. That is the messuage or tenement with outhouses, gardens and appurtenances in Great Marlow in testator's own occupation (which was lately two tenements) discharged of the annuity to nephew William Griffin.
If Benjamin Griffin Jackson shall die before the age of 21 Samuel Norman to convey the property to the testator's brother Nathaniel and his heirs (in trust that they will discharge the estate of the aforementioned £10 and £20 legacies and pay all charges and repair costs pertaining to the property and all costs arising from the execution of the trust vested in the hands of Samuel Norman) and pay over all the "overplus rents and profits" to Nathaniel and his heirs. From them on the aforementioned annuities shall cease.
To nephew John Griffin eldest son of brother Nathaniel and his heirs all messuages or tenements with outhouses and hereditaments in Oakingham Berkshire. These are lately purchased from John Hibbert and are now in the occupation of the said John Griffin or his under tenants or assigns. John also to receive £1000 within 12 months of testator's death. Interest is not to be paid to him in the meantime.
Brother Nathaniel and Samuel Norman, their heirs and executors to receive £10,000 in trust to be invested. The profits and dividends from that investment to brother Nathaniel for the term of his life and then after his death to Nathaniel's son John and then the whole investment and it's profits to go to Samuel Norman himself and his heirs for their own use.
To the widow of brother Jacob Griffin an annuity of £10 for life split into half yearly payments. This to start within six months of testator's death. After the widow dies if testator's niece Hester Jackson is still alive she is to get the annuity instead. Hester is in any case to have her own £5 annuity free from all deductions. This is to be paid in twice yearly installments, beginning within 6 months of the testator's death.
If Benjamin Jackson lives to 21 he gets £100 without any interest accrued before it is paid out. It is supposed however to be paid out immediately. If he does before 21 the money just to be considered part of the general estate of the testator.
Benjamin Beaver as mentioned above is to have £100 in trust for the maintenance, clothing and education of Mary Hawkins niece if Benjamin Beaver. Whatever is not spent at the time of her death goes to Benjamin Beaver or his executors or administrators.
All residual estate to brother Nathaniel and his heirs. Nathaniel and Samuel Norman to be executors of the will.
Witnessed by Richard ?Sincons?, John Wakeling, Richard Sutton.
Will transcribed and then summarized here from an original at the National Archives Kew by Charlotte Day and Kathryn Day.
Notes by Charlotte:
Benjamin was originally from Wokingham, the son of Ann (nee Gyles) and Benjamin Griffin, a mercer. Brother Nathaniel remained in Wokingham. Samuel Norman of Henley was the testator's maternal cousin. The widow of Jacob Griffin as mentioned in the will was Elizabeth.
Benjamin Griffin Jackson appears in an interesting Old Bailey case concerning whether keeping someone in poor prison conditions could constitute murder if that someone died. It is available on the Old Bailey Online website here. See also another related case on the same website here and yet another linked case amongst the Justices' Papers on the London Lives Website here.
Some of this family were Baptists.
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