John STEVENS, 1718 - 1794. Labourer, Abthorpe, Northants. (Page 1 of 2).

This is a transcript of the last Will and Testament of the above, taken from the original which is held at the Northamptonshire Record Office.

Will made 21.9.1793. Buried 20.9.1794. Will proved 28.11.1794.

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 Stephens of Abthorpe in the County of Northampton Labourer do make this my last Will and Testament as follows. I give to my son Thomas Stephens the sum of £10. I give to my son William Stephens the like sum of £10. I give to my daughter Mary Brittis the sum of £20. I give to my daughter Elizabeth Lawrence the sum of £10 a pair of sheets two of my shirts. I direct the said respective legacies to be paid to the said respective legatees their Executors or Administrators by my Executor hereinafter named within 12 months after my decease. I give to my grandson Steven Hindes my feather bed bolster pillows bedstead best pair of sheets and other the furniture therewith used. All that my messuage or tenement bakehouse yards gardens home close barn stables and other the premises in thereunto belonging in the occupation of my son in law Robert Hindes I give to him my said son in law Robert Hindes and my daughter Sarah wife of the said Robert Hindes for their joint lives and the life of the longer liver of them without impeachment of waste. And from and immediately after the decease of the survivor of them then I give devise and bequeath the said messuage or tenement bakehouse yards gardens home close barn stables and other the aforesaid premises with the appurtenances to my said grandson Steven Hindes to hold to him my said grandson Steven Hindes his heirs and assigns for ever. All the rest residue and remainder of my goods chattels monies effects and personal estate whatsoever I give and bequeath to my said son in law Robert Hindes he thereout paying my first debts the aforesaid legacies and funeral expenses which said Robert Hindes I make and appoint the Executor of this my Will hereby revoking all my former Wills in witness whereof I have hereunder set my hand and seal this 21st day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety three. The mark of John Stephens.

[On the other side of the page]. On the 28th day of November 1794 the Executor named in the within Will was then sworn well and faithfully to perform the same and that the deceased at the time of his death was not possessed of a personal estate to the amount of £100 before me. Pryce Jones, Surrogate.

[On the back]. Signed, sealed published and declared by the within named John Stephens as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who attested the same in his presence and in the presence of each other.

John Gardiner Linnell, Sam Shepard, Sam Smith.

/continued on page 2.

Page 2 of 2. John Stevens (1718 - 1794).

Summary of legacies

1. £10 to son Thomas Stevens.
2. £10 to son William Stevens.
3. £20 to daughter Mary Brittis.
4. £10, a pair of sheets and two shirts to daughter Elizabeth Lawrence.
5. Feather bed, bolster, pillows, bedstead, best pair of sheets and the furniture therewith used to grandson Steven Hindes.
6. Property (bakehouse, yards, gardens, home, close, barn, stables and other to son in law Robert Hindes and daughter Sarah Hindes. Thereafter to grandson Steven Hindes.
7. Rest to Robert Hindes (Executor).

Notes

1. The spelling of the surname is actually STEPHENS throughout the Will. This is probably because the Testator was illiterate, being able only to make his mark on the Will.
2. There is no mention in the Will of the two younger sons, Joseph and John(2), who were alive at the time.
3. The cash legacy of £50 would be worth about £3410 in 2002 according to www.eh.net/hmit/ppowerbp. A simple multiplier of about 70 is therefore approximately right.

END