Will of Thomas Bowles 1819

 Thomas Bowles of Great Marlow. Will written 1814, proved 1819. An awkwardly expressed will in the beginning.

Says that he is sick and weak but of sound mind and memory.

To loving wife Elizabeth and her assigns all the houses he is possessed of with their appurtenances and all other of his personal property until the children reach 21. Certain of the properties go to various of the children as they each reach the 21 milestone, as described below. She can still have the house he lives in and any residual property for the term of her natural life unless she remarries. When she dies or remarries son William to have it.

Daughter Sarah at age 21 to receive the house next door with appurtenances and the long back house adjoining it.

Son Thomas at age 21 the house with appurtenances in testator's own occupation [so he is using a second house too as the one he lives in was previously mentioned in the will. The second house may have been a place of business or storage] next door to Manus Gray [probably meant to be Parmenus Gray who witnessed the will. The testator was likely using a friendly short form of the name when he gave it as Menas. The name Parmenas /Parmenus in various forms was traditional in the Gray / Grey  family of Marlow].

Son James at age 21 house with appurtenances in the occupation of John Harding.

The child that the testator's wife is pregnant with will receive £50 over and above it's share of his residual estate as described below.

All household goods and furniture to his wife for life. All residual estate to be invested and wife Elizabeth to receive the income from that in her lifetime. Afterwards the principle sum to be divided equally between his children.

Executors his wife and his brother James Bowles.

Testator signed only with a mark.

Witnessed by John Allnutt, Jno. Mossenton and Parmenus Gray.

Will was proved by the brother James Gray with power to administer also reserved to the other executor Elizabeth.

NOTES=

"Jno" (a common way of rendering both John and Jonathan on paper) Mossenton was probably the cordwainer of Chapel Street John Mossenton.

Will transcribed and summarised by me Charlotte Day from an original at the National Archives, Kew. Notes also by Charlotte.

Well over 100 wills of Marlow people are on this blog. See the wills index here

For every mention of any individual on this blog please see the A-Z Person Index. There are lots of Bowles!

©Marlow Ancestors. Reuse for family or local history purposes freely permitted with credit to this blog.

Will of Charles Lovejoy 1648

 CHARLES LOVEJOY SHOEMAKER OF GREAT MARLOW. 

Will both written and proved in 1648.

Says he weak and ill in body but of sound mind and in good and perfect memory.

Commends soul to God. Body to be returned to the earth from whence it came.

Loving wife Abigail gets his messuage with appurtenances in Marlow. At some convenient time she is to sell it and pay his debts from the resulting money. The rest of the sale money to go to wife Abigail and dear daughter Elizabeth for their maintenance and livelihood.

All other goods, chattels and household goods after debts and funeral expenses paid to wife Abigail who is named sole executor.

Will witnessed by William FF..r (Farmer?), Robert Young, Robert Bennett.

Transcribed and then summarised here by Charlotte Day from a copy of the original P.C.C will held at the National Archives, Kew.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use this summary for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

Will Summary William Hollis of Great Marlow 1651

A messy will with heavy crossings out, notes squeezed into margins and some hard to read parts. I've done my level best with it!

 William Hollis, wheelwright of Great Marlow. Will written 1650. Proved 1651.

Weak of body but of good and perfect memory, thanks to God. Commends soul to Almighty God and the Holy Ghost.

Burial to be in a Christian manner as is seen fit by the will's executor.

To son Jerome and his heirs all the free land testator has had of late by agreement with John Hammond. These are part of  the lands purchased by the testator and John Hammond from Daniel Bankys. Also to him and his heirs all testator's free lands anywhere in the realm and all his leased lands ditto.

Beloved wife Joan instead of her dowry (which seems to be linked to some of those free lands) £30 to be paid in two £15 installments. The first installment to be within six months of his decease. Then Joan should leave son Jerome house. Six months after she does so the rest of the £15 to be paid. Also to Joan three pairs of sheets, two green ..., a high joined stool and two joined stools, a kettle which is next in size to the great kettle and also a small kettle, 2 pewter dishes and the pewter that was hers before marriage, the kitchen table, the trunk in the room where he lies, all her wearing apparel whether woollen or linen and her hats, stockings and shoes, three diaper napkins, half a dozen ?course? napkins, one pewter flagon.

Daughter Margaret £10 at marriage if she marries with the consent and liking of he older brother.  Plus £5 forty days after such a marriage.

Daughter Mary £5 to be paid to her in weekly installments from the week after testator dies.

Son Thomas, son in law William Raunce and son in law William Langley  £... each.

Residue of goods after debts and expenses paid to son Jerome who is the executor.

Will witnessed by John Langley and Elizabeth Sherley. Elizabeth made her mark rather than sign.

Summarized from a transcription I made from a will held at the National Archives, Kew.

Other wills on this blog can be found by looking at the Wills option on the menu. To find every mention of a person on the blog look for them in the Person Index. Look under Ollis too as people in this period did not routinely pronounce the letter h and so Hollis would be spoken "Ollis". 

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to use this transcription for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

Will and Research Elizabeth Purlis 1780

 Elizabeth Purlis of Great Marlow. Says she is of sound mind. Gives a mourning ring to the following: Mary Green of Maidstone, Kent, Mary Hollingworth of Maidstone ditto, Mary Wilkinson of St Mary's Aldermanbury London, John Wilkinson (merchant) of St Mary's Aldermanbury, and Thomas Ollive of Smithfield Barrs London (surgeon). 

Elizabeth Ollive of Smithfield Barrs, widow, to receive 10 guineas and after all just debts, fore mentioned legacies and funeral expenses paid, Elizabeth is to receive all wearing apparel. All money, household furniture and effects to John Wilkinson as above and Thomas Ollive as above whom she appoints her executors, in trust for her father William Purlis. She wishes them to give him an annuity or something equivalent for his advantage. 

Witness Sarah Sneath, Maria Arabella Shuter. 

Codicil 1780. 

Gives to Elizabeth Ollive as above her dimity jacket and coat, her ten new shifts, nightcaps, pocket and neck handkerchiefs, stockings, robbins?, her best flowered and muslin aprons, and a piece of shell work in a glass case. 

To Ann Freeman of the Grange Walk, Southwark, spinster - her best striped silk gown, and brown ditto, her muslin jacket, white satin and her coloured petticoats, her cloak and buckles. 

To Elizabeth Freeman, widow of Great Marlow, her white gown and coat, green silk gown and coat, her flowered calico gown, and her dark cotton jacket and coat. 

The remainder of her wearing apparel to be divided between the two Freeman ladies mentioned, they dividing as they see fit. 

NOTES:

Benjamin Hollingworth of St Sepulchre London (surgeon) and Joseph Freeman of the Grange Walk in the parish of St Mary Magdalene Bermondsey, (tailor) were called upon to swear on oath that they were well acquainted with the testator for many years and that they have both seen her write and sign her name several times. This was necessary as the codicil was signed by the testator but was not witnessed. They swore that they had carefully examined the codicil and they were satisfied that it was in her handwriting. It was stated that the testator was a spinster. 

Will & Codicil proved by executors as above, 1780. 

Witness Sarah Sneath was the daughter of Marlow surgeon William Sneath. Her own will is summarised here.

Summarised from the PPC will at the National Archives by Charlotte Day. 

Index of other will transcriptions here.

© Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use my will summary and research with credit to this blog.

Will George Murray Of Great Marlow 1807

 George Murray, of Great Marlow. Will written 1796, proved 1807. 

Says he is of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding. Considering the transitory nature of life he has decided to make his will.

To his loving wife Frances Murray £50 for her own immediate use. Also for the term of her natural life the interest, dividends and profits arising from the remainder of his "monies" invested in the public funds, securities for money and from  all other of his effects and estate. His household goods, furniture, linen, china, plate and other household effects also to Frances for her sole use and disposal. To granddaughters Mary Murray Dixon and Mary ?H....er? £100 of his capital stock in the Bank of England three per cent consolidated annuities to be transferred and paid to them at the age of 21 or upon their marriage with consent if that is sooner providing testator's wife is dead. If she is not dead, money is withheld and paid  out only after she has died when the girls either marry with their respective parents' consent or reach 21. The dividends and interest will be used for their maintenance between the wife's death and their reaching 21 or marrying. [Testator seems to presume wife will die before either girl reaches 21 or marries]. 

Four other grandchildren James, George, Sarah and Charlotte Dixon £50 each of stock being another part of his capital stocks under identical conditions as the above stock legacies.

After the wife dies all his household goods and property except his money and the stocks already mentioned to be immediately divided between his two daughters Mary wife of John Benson and Deborah wife of Robert Dixon.

Will executors are his wife Frances and Joseph Burrough[s] of Great Marlow draper.

Witness Timothy English, John Phipps.

Will proved by Frances, with power also reserved to administer to Joseph Burroughs if he applies for it.

In 1808 a new grant of administration was given to Mary Benson daughter of the testator, Frances being dead and having left the will unadministered and the other executor Joseph Burroughs renouncing his right to administer. George Murray was described then as formerly of Great Marlow but latterly of Henley in Oxfordshire so between writing his will and his death he had moved.

Will transcribed by Charlotte Day  and then summarised here. The original PCC will is at the National Archives Kew.

NOTES=

There was a baker called George Murray in Marlow in 1789 as appears from insurance records. This might be the same George.

Timothy English and Joseph Burrough(s) were both Marlow drapers. Joseph was also a banker before he and his partner went bankrupt. Timothy witnessed several other Marlow wills.

Robert Dixon was the landlord of the Lower Crown inn in the High Street Marlow. More on him here.

John Phipps was a Marlow attorney.

Over 100 other Marlow wills transcribed by Charlotte are available on this blog. Please see the Wills Index.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use our research for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

©Marlow Ancestors.

Will Of Peter Gaffney Of Great Marlow 1543

Says that he is sick.

Bequeaths his soul to God, the Lady Saint Mary and the Holy Company Of Heaven.

Wants to be buried in the chapel dedicated to Mary at Marlow church.

Money to the church of .....y and to the high (altar?) of the church at Great Marlow.

? pence to each of his godchildren.

Money for the repair of the high road and of the bridge at Marlow. 

Twenty shillings a year to be distributed amongst the poor of Great Marlow for a term of twenty years.

To Joane ... (illegible)

To Elizabeth Woodward the wife of John Woodward 10 shillings.

To Sybil Dignam 10 shillings.

To Alice Mathewe the wife of John Mathewe. 10 shillings.

To John Rowlande the elder my best gown and ...years rent free.

Money for soupe? to be distributed to the poor.

Money for poor of "Cokhym" [presumably Cookham], Bisham, Little Marlow and Medmenham.

To Joan Carter ....

To Elizabeth Woodward 20...[another Elizabeth Woodward?]

To Thomas Dignam the house I now dwell in, and it's backsides. After the life of Thomas it is to go to Thomas's heirs of the blood.

To Thomas Powndie 20...

To Toucher Spencer, Henry Spencer, and Thomas Spencer sons of Richard Spencer deceased 5 houses each, seemingly linked to the giving of the gift of money to the poor of Marlow for 20 years. Toucher Spencer can have the five best houses for his park(!?) Thomas Spencer has the next choice, then Henry Spencer. [I'm sure it says houses not horses, and other records speak of a house specifically inherited by Thomas Spencer though the will of Peter Gaffney]

The house where John Redyng [Redding] dwells to remain to the heirs of Richard Spencer.

Residue of estate I think to John Powndie  who is made executor. Estate is to be spent in ways that benefit the soul of the testator at the discretion of John. Other executor is to be Richard Pemerton who is left 20 marks.

Signed and sealed by Peter Gaffney. No other witnesses.

Probate: Power to execute granted to Richard Pemerton.

Original will is at the National Archives, Kew.

Note:

Peter Gaffney appears on the tax list for Marlow in 1524 as one of the top 5 wealthiest residents. One of this name was a bargeman in 1508 but this could be an older relative with the same name as Peter of this will was a woodmonger. The two occupations are not mutually exclusive however as wood would have been transported by barge. Peter could have transported other goods as a paid service amongst his wood cargoes. 

A Richard "Spence" and a John Rowlande are also on the taxpayer list but were much less wealthy. Citation = The Urban Experience: A Sourcebook : English, Scottish, and Welsh Towns, 1450-1700. Kiribati, Manchester University Press, 1983.

Toucher Spencer and his brothers were cousins to Peter Gaffney. In the 1540s Toucher was a yeoman and lived in Watford. Thomas Spencer lived in Marlow High Street on the West side in the same period.

In 1584 Tucher Spencer alias Richard Spencer a "clerk" (clergyman) of Bristol and son of Richard Spencer of Marlow left a house in Marlow that had once been the house of Peter Gaffney and which had been left to Tucher in Peter's will to his daughter Anne. This was not the house left in Peter's will to Thomas Dignam but a different Marlow house which Peter had once lived in. Another Marlow house Tutcher owned was left to his other daughter Elizabeth. This house was formerly that of his father Richard and was the house in which Tucher was born. Other houses inherited from Peter in Marlow were split between the daughters. These included a disputed house which Tutcher insisted he had bought from Thomas Dignam (the one in Peter's will) but which Thomas's son Mathew refused to give up.

A John Mathewe was an innkeeper in Marlow later in the 1570s.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use my transcription summary for local or family history purposes with credit to this blog.

Will James Harman 1759

James Harman of Great Marlow. Written 1758. Proven 1759.

Bequeathed soul to God.

Requests private burial.

To dear and well beloved wife Elizabeth £50 a year for her life. To divided into four payments and be paid quarterly on Lady Day, Midsummers Day, Michaelmas Day and Christmas Day by Jane's heir and executor. Also to her all household goods.

To only daughter Mary wife of Richard Ray of Cookham Berkshire £1000 over the marriage portion she has already had.

Only son James and his heirs gets all rest of testator's personal estate. He is also appointed the will's executor.

Witnessed by James Crockett, John Snelling and William Allen.

I transcribed and then summarized this P.C.C will from a copy held at the National Archives, Kew.

James MAY be the man of this name who was the secretary of the failing Borlase charity school trust in 1721. That James who at first refused to give up any documents and papers to examiners sent to sort the trust out. When pressed further he gave up keys to a chest in the church where he said relevant papers could be found but when opened it was found to be empty.

Ref Borlase 1624-57, 3rd ed, J c Davies.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to use my will summary with credit to this blog.

Will of Samuel Loftin 1779

 Samuel Loftin Esquire of Great Marlow. Will written 1777 and proved 1779.

Says he aged and infirm but of sound and perfect understanding.

To son William Loftin and his heirs and assigns all messuages, lands, tenements, and hereditaments whatever and wherever they are with the rights, members, and appurtenances. Also to him all testator's capital share in stocks of the Old South Sea Annuities. He will not get this straight away however -the produce and dividends of them to be paid half yearly to William until testator's youngest daughter Matilda reaches the age of 21 (which will happen on March 25th 1783) then at that point the capital will be transferred to William. [Not clear why this is linked to Matilda coming of age]

Also to William all mortgages, bonds,debts, securities for money with the several principle sums of money and interest due and owing at time of testator's death.

To daughters Hester, Charlotte and Matilda equally all his stock in the Three Per Cent Reduced Annuities transferable at the Bank of England and the interest and dividends resulting from them until this youngest daughter Matilda reaches the age of 21. Then the principal amount invested is to be shared out between the daughters equally.

Under the will of late brother Benjamin Lofting testator is bound to pay a £20 annuity to Margaret Shaw for the term of her life. Because of this Samuel has transferred £666 13 shillings and 4 pence invested in the Old South Sea Annuities to Mr William Williams in trust to pay out that annuity from. That sum after Margaret Shaw's death is to go to son William Loftin his heirs, executors and assignees.

Testator is also bound to pay annuities of £5 4 shillings each to John Lofting the elder, Mary Lofting the elder and Jane the wife of John Carter during their lives. His children are to pay out these legacies from his personal estate.

Something unreadable to daughter Charlotte. The silver tea kettle and lamp to daughter Matilda.

The rest of his household goods, furniture, chattels, plate, linens, china, ready money and other personal estate after debts and funeral expenses (which he desires to be frugal) and the previously mentioned annuities paid to be shared equally between his four children William, Hester, Charlotte and Matilda.

Good friend Joseph Townsend appointed executor along with testator's children William Lofting and Charlotte Lofting.

Witnessed by = Henry Sherwood (made his mark) servant to Mr Loftin, Henry Allnutt attorney, of Great Marlow Bucks and Robert Goldsmith his clerk.

This summary produced to the best of my ability from a will at the National Archives Kew, transcribed by me Charlotte Day.

There are over 100 other Marlow wills in this blog. Please see the Will Transcriptions Index for more.

©Marlow Ancestors. Use this summary as you will for family and local history purposes, with credit to this blog.

Mary Church Will - Medmenham 1770

 Mary Church widow of Medmenham proved 4th October 1770.

[She was the widow of Thomas above].

Says sick and weak of body but of sound and perfect mind and memory.

She wishes to confirm and ratify a deed her husband and she lately made to ?declare? or ?..? the uses of a fine [not a fine in the modern sense but a property transaction].

To her youngest daughter Grace the featherbed, tables, chairs and all other furniture in the chamber testator now has.

Eldest son Thomas gets another bed in the hall chamber with the bedstead bolster and other furniture belonging to it [furniture in this context meant fittings and accessories]. 

All her children get equally share and share alike her stock, crops of corn, grain and hay, utensils and implements of husbandry, cattle, household goods, furniture, chattels and all other personal property after debts and funeral expenses paid. If any of the children express displeasure at this they lose their share.

Sons Thomas, Richard and Mark made the will's executors.

Mary made a mark rather than sign.

Witnesses =Leah Wood, Richard Jenkins,  Thomas Atkinson clerk to Mr Newell of Henley.

CODICIL written the same day.

She is seized of the fee simple of a messuage or tenement with a garden and appurtenances in the parish of Cookham which is let at £2 15 shillings a year. Two rooms and a pantry have lately been added to this property. Mary wills that her daughter Grace receives Mary's rental income and profit from this for her natural life. She is to pay a proportional part of the land tax that will be due on the property.

Witnesses as above.

Sons Thomas and Richard granted probate with third son Mark allowed to claim the same right if he came to the probate court and applied. It was not uncommon where multiple executors are named for only one or two of them to travel to the probate court to get the grant of probate, it presumably having been agreed between them that winding up the deceased estate didn't in fact need all of them and they trust each other enough for only some to act. It can also be because one of the executors was far away, unwell or infirm or just plain too busy by the time the testator died so no longer felt themselves to be a suitable executor. The court nevertheless always reserved them future power to execute if they were living unless they came to the probate hearing and formally renounced their role.

The will of her daughter Grace is already in the blog here. Mark, Grace's brother, features in this will.

Mary was the widow of farmer Thomas Church who died earlier the same year.

This will summary was created from Charlotte Day's transcription of the original p.c.c will held at the National Archives Kew.

We focus on Marlow but try to include some surrounding area content. Over 100 will summaries are available on this blog. See the Will Transcriptions Index. More Medmenham related posts are indexed here.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use my research for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

Will of Henry Saint John Bell

Henry Saint John Bell surgeon of Great Marlow [ his name was often rendered Henry St John Bell and sometimes simply Henry Bell  or Harry Bell or Harry St John Bell]. Will written 1777 proved 1778.

Henry says that he wishes to ratify and confirm the settlement made at the time of his marriage to his present wife in which it was agreed that the property he now dwells in will be delivered up to her and her assigns for her lifetime. He now also gives her the house he "recently" bought [probably in 1771] next door to his dwelling house in which William Eardley lives. Also to her a piece of meadow ground he occupies [uses] in Marlow Common Meadow [the Common Field]. Subject to the payment of a legacy of £300 to his daughter Celia Bell, her heirs, executors and assigns. Think says after her death to his son Joseph Bell and his heirs, executors and assigns.

All his plate, linen, china, household goods, utensils and furniture to be privately taken in upon his death. His wife has use of them except a silver tankard engraved with his arms (which is to go to his grandson) in her lifetime if she stays unmarried to anyone else and must be answerable for any loss or damage to these articles caused by accident or wilful neglect or by the reasonable household use of these goods. If she dies or remarries it all except his dimmity covered bed in the best chamber and the bedding and quilt belonging to it to go to his son and daughter. That bed is to go to his daughter, her executors or administrators upon the death or remarriage of his wife.

Also to his son and daughter equally all his share of the stock in trade, moneys, debts, dues and demands belonging to his co partnership with William Eardley. They to pay first his funeral expenses and all his just debts.

Executors to pay 5 guineas for a ring for Mr Thomas Ellison as a token of testator's friendship and regard towards him. Also one guinea to be spent on a ring for his wife's niece Miss Mary Hammond.

All other monies, bonds, securities, stock and ... in funds held in his own name, the name of John H...e or in the name of any other person whatsoever to his daughter ?Celia her executors administrators or assigns.

His wife Elizabeth, son and daughter made joint executors of the will.

Signs H.St John Bell. Witnesses= Thomas Ellison, George Ellison, Sarah Porter.

Administration granted to his widow Elizabeth with the right also to administer reserved to the two other named executors if they should apply for that power.

Note: Bell and Eardley operated from the High Street after going into partnership in 1771. They were also apothecaries. Bell had been operating long before this in Marlow however. He was the son (bapt 1716) of Joseph and Celia Bell of Aylesbury.

Elizabeth's own will is already on the blog here. She was not his first wife nor the mother of Celia or Joseph as they were baptised well before she married Henry in 1770. She was nee Hammond.

This summary produced by me Charlotte Day from my transcription of an original at the National Archives Kew.

Over 100 Marlow wills are on this blog- see the Will Transcription Index on the side menu. You might also like to look at the Graves Index and the A-Z Person Index.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to use and share my transcription summary with credit to this blog.

Will of Mary Duck 1775

 Will of Mary Duck of Great Marlow proved 1775.

Says she healthy and of sound mind.

To brother John Duck of Marlow the interest of any money she has invested in public funds etc at the time of her death and also the rent from the messuage or messuages in Peters Street near ?Hick Hall? in the parish of St Sepulchre in the county of Middlesex London. After his death that interest and rent to testator's sister Ann Hett wife of Richard Hett of Wild Court in the parish of St Giles Middlesex, printer, for her lifetime. After that the principle and interest of the investments and the rents to go to Mary Hett daughter of Richard and Ann Hett at the age of 21. Should John Duck, Ann Hett and Mary Hett all die then Richard Hett Mary's father gets the inheritance. This Richard and his wife Ann get £50 each in any case. Ann also gets all her wearing apparel and rings. If she dies her daughter Mary receives this.

Thomas Bensley printer gets £10 for the trouble of being her executor.

John Duck, Richard Hett and Thomas Bensley executors.

Mary signed the will but there were no witnesses. As a result of this Rachel Marett of Reading appeared at the probate court to swear as to the authenticity of the handwriting in the will. She had she said known Mary for 15 years. Her husband Mayhew also swore to the handwriting.

A faded and not easy to read note added to the will in the National Archives says that in 1799 administration was regranted to Mary Mackintosh wife of John Mackintosh, the executor of Ann Hett as all of the original executors were then dead. This may be the then married Mary Hett of this will.

This P.C.C will was transcribed from the original at the National Archives Kew and then summarized here by me Charlotte Day.

The will of John Duck, Mary's brother is on the blog in this post.

For other will posts see the Will Transcriptions index.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use my research for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

Will of John Toombes of Medmenham 1756

 John Toombes, victualer of Medmenham. Will written 1753 and proved 1756.

Says he in good health and of sound mind and memory but because of the uncertainty of this life he is making his will.

Entrusts soul to God. To be buried at the discretion of his executor.

All goods, chattels and personal property (no individual items or property listed) to his wife Jane and her heirs. She is made executor.

John signed with a mark.

Witnesses= T Allen and Wm Allen both of Great Marlow.

This will summary was created from Charlotte Day's transcription of the original P.C.C will held at the National Archives Kew.

We focus on Marlow but try to include some surrounding area content. Over 100 will summaries are available on this blog. See the Will Transcriptions Index. More Medmenham related posts are indexed here.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use my research for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

Will of Benjamin Griffin Esq 1761

 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. 

Will of Grace Church of Medmenham 1776

Will both written and proven 1776.

Spinster.

Says she sick and weak of body but of sound and perfect mind, memory and understanding.

To "my young brother" Mark Church a ring in remembrance.

To niece Martha Gray my bed, bedding, linen, clothes, wearing apparel and anything belonging to them.

To James Moss of Walworth in the county of Surrey bricklayer all ready money, any stock in funds, securities and any other personal estate left after debts and funeral expenses paid. James is made executor of the will.

Grace signed with a mark.

Witnesses: Henry Allnutt of Great Marlow attorney and William Bitmead.

This will summary was created from Charlotte Day's transcription of the original P.C.C will held at the National Archives Kew.

Grace's father Thomas a farmer of Medmenham and her mother Mary died in rapid succession of each other in 1770. Mary's will is on the blog here.

We focus on Marlow but try to include some surrounding area content. Over 100 will summaries are available on this blog. See the Will Transcriptions Index. More Medmenham related posts are indexed here.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use my research for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

Will of Andrew Medwin of Little Marlow 1753

 Yeoman.  WILL WRITTEN IN 1749, PROVED 1753.

Weak in body but of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding.

Commends soul to God and asks for a decent internment by his executors.

Loving wife Mary and sons Aaron and Thomas all messuages[houses], cottages, lands, tenements, and hereditaments as tenants in common. Subject to the payment of all legacies in the will.

Daughters Mary and Ann £150 each.

Daughter Elizabeth £150 at the age of 21 with the interest that accrues on it until then.

Residual money, stock, goods, chattels and anything else to wife Mary and sons Thomas and Aaron equally. They to pay his debts and the legacies to his daughters. Mary his wife and his sons Aaron and Thomas all joint executors of the will.

If Mary remarried she is no longer to be an executor of the will or have interest in his estate [this would be because otherwise her new husband would become legally possessed of her property upon their marriage]. If Mary remarries she is to receive a £10 annuity for life paid for out of his estate.

A deduction from Thomas's inheritance is to be made for his board, maintenance and education.

Witnessed by John Clark, Joseph Meaks, and Zach. Allnutt [Zachary Allnutt, a Marlow attorney].

Note: Andrew does not mention his son Luke (who was living) in his will. 

Andrew was first married to a Judith and then as a widower married Mary Keene of Great Marlow at Hughenden in 1716. 

The will of Andrew's brother Moses is summarized on the blog here.

Andrew was the executor of the will of his uncle another Moses Medwin in 1701.

More on Aaron, Luke and Thomas sons of Andrew here. 

Transcribed from an original will held at the National Archives and then summarized here by me Charlotte Day. 

Please see the Will Transcriptions index here for more posts like this. More Little Marlow content can be found on the Nearby Places menu.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use this will transcription summary for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

Will Of Bridget Manning Of Great Marlow 1735 and Manning research

Will written 1734, proved 1735.

Spinster.

Asks to be decently buried. 

All her goods, chattels, plate, jewell's, rings, ready money, debts, credits and all the rest of her personal estate to her loving cousin Samuel Manning of Great Marlow who is also made sole executor of the will.

Witnessed by Jane Gibbons, Francis Hone and Mary Lethieullier. Drawn up by Thomas Stephens, notary public.

I transcribed and then summarized this p.c.c will from the original held at the National Archives, Kew.

Notes:

Samuel Manning, Bridget's cousin, was the Marlow gentleman and brewer of that name who died in 1745.

Mary Lethieullier was perhaps the daughter of William Lethieullier of Sutton at Hone in Kent. In which case her mother, his first wife was born Mary Manning. She died in 1717 and William remarried. The Lethieullier family came to England as Huguenot refugees and it is suggested that the Mannings were originally from Germany before they settled in Kent. Samuel Manning was the brother of the Mary Manning who married William Lethieullier and the son of Nicholas Manning of Westerham, Kent. Bridget was the daughter of Ranulph alias Randulf Manning of Westerham, Kent (seemingly by his first wife). Ranulf / Randulf and Nicholas were brothers. There were two further brothers- Thomas and John.

Bridget's uncle John, a draper, also lived in Marlow for a while. Though he was of Westerham Kent at the time of his death he asked to be buried at Marlow with his wife. John's 1728 will left Bridget Manning his niece an annuity of £10, a gold brooch and some of his best books. He also mentioned his nephew Samuel Manning and niece Mary Manning. 

This isn't an easy family tree! Bridget's father was married to Catherine Missenden (seemingly his second wife) by whom he had sons called both Ranulf and Ralf as evidenced by the son Ranulf's will. His brother Nicholas was married to Catherine's sister Mary. The women's father was a merchant adventurer based in Hamburg, Germany so you can see how the idea that the Mannings were German of origin may be correct. Others believe them to be in fact an old Kent family. The first name Ranulf was once quite common in England but would have been very out of date here by the late 1600s /early 1700s. Randulf has never been anything other than rare.

Samuel Manning of Marlow's daughter Sarah features in this post.

See the Wills Transcriptions Index here for other similar posts. All mentions of any person on this blog can be found on the A-Z Person Index. Thousands of people are mentioned.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to use this summary for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

Will David Weedon Of Medmenham 1617

Written and proven 1617. 

Says he is sick and weak but whole and perfect in mind and memory. 

Commends soul to God. Asks to be buried in Medmenham churchyard but this is at the discretion of his executor and his other friends.

To Joan his eldest daughter £100 within a year of her marriage or at the age of 30 whichever happens first.

To daughter Sibbell £100 under the same conditions as Joan's legacy. If either daughter dies before she can inherit then that daughter's inheritance remains with the will's executor.

To daughter Anne and daughter Jane both £100 at the age of 21. If either die before age 21 their inheritance stays with the will's executor.

To wife Jane £10 every year for the term of her natural life if she refuses to live with his son Christopher. If she does live with him he is to pay her £4 a year and a room of her own all the while she remains with him. Her "diet" is also to be at his expense.

After funeral expenses, legacies and any debts paid the remainder of his personal estate is to go to his son Christopher mentioned above who is also appointed executor.

Will witnessed by Christopher Weedon of ?Hitchenden?, Richard Weedon "and others".

This will summary was created from Charlotte Day's transcription of the original p.c.c will held at the National Archives Kew.

NOTES=

The son Christopher may be the Christopher Weedon of Wood End /Woodend Medmenham who died in 1639. That Christopher's daughter Jane inherited his property.

We focus on Marlow but try to include some surrounding area content. Over 100 will summaries are available on this blog. See the Will Transcriptions Index. More Medmenham related posts are indexed here.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use my research for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

Will of Ambrose Cane Of Great Marlow 1762

Says he indisposed of body but of sound mind and memory. The uncertainty of life prompts him to make his will.

Commits his soul to God.

To grandson Ambrose R...ing £20 at the age of 25 or sooner if the will executors think proper.

All of the rest of his estate (not itemized) to be equally divided between his two sons Thomas Cane and Robert Cane and their heirs. They are to provide testator's wife for the rest of her life with sufficient meat, drink, lodgings and all other necessities for her to be comfortable. They also to pay out of his estate all his debts and funeral expenses. 

Thomas and Robert are the will's executors.

Will written 20th September 1762.

Witnessed by James Blake and William Allen.

This PCC will was transcribed and summarized here by me Charlotte Day from a copy obtained from the National Archives.

There are 106 other Marlow wills in this blog (so far!) see here for an Index to them. To find every mention of any individual on the blog please use the A-Z Person Index. 

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use my summary for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

Will of James Fish, Brewer

James Fish, brewer of Great Marlow. Will written and proved 1704.

Says he feels that he is growing weak of body but is of sound and disposing mind.

Bequeaths soul to God.

Asks to be buried in the chancel of Marlow church in a decent manner.

Any debts and funeral expenses to be taken care of first then £5 to son James.

The house where son James lives in Great Marlow to testator's dear and loving wife Elizabeth.

To son Benjamin the two properties adjoining the above. Like the above these two were recently purchased from Christopher Morgan. The two houses left to Benjamin were dwelt in by Richard Harding and William ....ing at the time the will was written. Also to Benjamin 6.5 acres of arable land in the Great Common Field of Marlow  which testator had bought from John ...st and Mary his wife.

The will's executor was to take the profit of all those properties left to Benjamin until Benjamin reached 21 or finished an apprenticeship whichever came soonest.

Also to Benjamin one silver....cup , two silver salts and three silver spoons.

To daughters Elizabeth, Ann and Katherine Fish his messuage with appurtenances and a close of land belonging to it called Bonners Close which he bought from Henry Cane and Elizeus Fletcher and the outhouse [seemingly a brewhouse] adjoining this property. Also a close of land which he purchased from William Elliott, butcher, deceased which is in the tenure of Mr Prosser.

Also to daughters all his household goods except the copper and utensils for brewing which go to wife Elizabeth.

To each grandchild 12p [not individually named].

Rest of personal estate to wife Elizabeth who is appointed executor.

Will witnessed by Charles Blewitt, [barber surgeon] John ..at and Richard Goddard.

Notes: Elizeus Fletcher was the brother in law of Henry Cane. Cane was the son of innkeeper and yeoman Matthew Cane.

The Fish family were related to the Moore family also Marlow brewers.

You can obtain your own copy of this PCC will from the National Archives, Kew.

Transcription and summary by Charlotte Day.

Other wills on this blog can be found ton the Wills option on the menu.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use this content for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

Jesse Collins Widow Research And Will

 Will of widow Jesse Collins of Great Marlow. Will written 1838, proved 1843.

Says she of sound mind and understanding.

Executor to pay any debts, funeral expenses and probate costs she has.

To the sons of her niece Mary Brown - Henry, James, Robert and  William £5 each.

To Mary Jane Blackwell and Sarah daughters of her niece Mary .... £5 each.

To Robert, Mary and Jesse [Jesse is female] children of her late nephew Robert Harper £5 each.

Jane, Rebecca, Robert and Stephen children of her nephew William Harper £5 each.

James, William, Rebecca, Robert and Jane children of her niece Jesse Bavin £5 each. And to Jesse Bavin herself £5 too plus a chest of drawers, brass warming pan, a ... pot and all her wearing apparel.

To Charlotte Carter, widow of her nephew Robert Carter £10 and to Charlotte's children Jane and Robert £5. 

To Robert son of her niece Mary Carter £10, a plain oak chest,a pair of blankets, a pair of sheets, one quilt.

To widow Elizabeth Walters of Little Marlow £5.

To widow Catherine Butler late Catherine Carr daughter of George Collins £5.

Her silver watch to William Collins son of John Collins. This watch was previously owned by that John Collins.

All residual property to Jesse Bavin daughter of her late sister Jane Carter [presumably the same Jesse Bavin niece of testator mentioned above].

Executor Robert Harper son of her nephew Robert Harper appointed executor.

Witnessed by Henry Beckett carpenter of Great Marlow and W.L Ward solicitor of Great Marlow.

Notes:

Jesse was born Jesse Harper. She married Robert Collins in 1789  when aged about 32. Robert was a publican whose precise premises are unknown. He died in 1826 aged 73. Jesse was one of the executors of his will and inherited half his possession with other relatives getting the rest. Jesse lived in a medium sized cottage with garden at Marlow Common in 1833.

Jesse Bavin was the wife of turner / chair maker and publican William Bavin. More on him here.

Will transcribed by Charlotte Day and then summarised here by her from a will held at the National Archives, Kew. Research also by Charlotte Day.