John BULL , c.1655 - 1732. Blacksmith, Helmdon, Northants. (One page only).

This is a transcript of the last Will and Testament of the above, taken from a photograph of the original which is held at the Northamptonshire Record Office. Items in square brackets e.g. [Conn . . lty] are uncertain.

Will made 7.11.1732. Buried 27.2.1732/3. Will proved 14.4.1733.

Transcript by D J Bennett, a direct descendant of the above, in December 2003.
(e-mail djbennett@djbennett.karoo.co.uk Tel: 01482 665506).

In the Name of God Amen
I John Bull of Helmdon in the County of Northton. Blacksmith being in good health of body and of sound mind and memory (praised be God) do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) Imprimis I commit my soul to God through Christ and my body to the Earth to be buried in the church yard of Helmdon aforesaid as near to my late wife Anne Bull as [Conn…..lty] will admit and as to the manner of my funeral I leave to the discretion of my Executors hereinafter named and my desire is that my Executors put up grave stones in memory of my body within one year after my decease and as for the disposal of my temporall effects I give the same in manner following (that is to say) first I give unto my eldest son John Bull one shilling. Item. I give unto my son Timothy Bull the sum of forty pounds to be paid six months after my decease. Item. I give unto my son James Bull the sum of five pounds to be paid six months after my decease by my Executors hereinafter named. Item. I give unto my son William Bull the sum of twenty pounds to be paid six months after my decease. Item. I give unto my son Thomas Bull the sum of one shilling to be paid by my Executors six months after my decease. Item. All the rest of my real and personal estate whatsoever I give devise and bequeath unto my sons Timothy Bull and William Bull and to their heirs, Executors and assigns for ever to be equally divided between them share and share alike they paying my just debts and legacies and defraying my funeral expenses and I do make and appoint my said sons Timothy Bull and William Bull Sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament revoking all former Wills by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal this seventh day of November Anno Domini 1732.

Signature of John Bull.

Summary of legacies

1. One shilling to eldest son John Bull.
2. £40 to son Timothy Bull.
3. £5 to son James Bull.
4. £20 to son William Bull.
5. One shilling to son Thomas Bull.
6. Rest to sons Timothy and William - equally shared. (Joint Executors).

Notes

1. There are no witnesses to the Will on the photograph which is held by the transcriber.
2. The cash legacies of £65.10 total would be worth about £7240 in 2002 according to www.eh.net/hmit/ppowerbp . A simple multiplier of about 110 is therefore approximately right.

END