Timothy BULL the Elder, 1683 - 1738. Butcher, Helmdon, Northants. (Page 1 of 2)

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. See also the transcript and copy of the Inventory of goods and chattels taken on 21.7.1739. (Inventory number 372 at NRO). Items in square brackets e.g. [or upon the] are uncertain.

Will made 22.9.1738. Buried 10.10.1738. Will proved 8.9.1739.

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 Timothy Bull the Elder of Helmdon in the County of Northampton Butcher being 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) First I commit my soul to God through Christ and my body to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executor hereinafter appointed and as for touching the disposal of all such temporal estate as it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me I give devise and bequeath the same as follows. I give and bequeath unto my wife Ann Bull all brass, pewter, linen, woollen, brewing vessels, wood, underwood, coals and all my household goods of what nature or kind so ever to her own use for ever. I also give and bequeath unto my said wife Ann Bull all that my messuage or tenement with the yard and backside thereunto belonging with the appurtenances situate standing and being in Helmdon aforesaid wherein I now inhabit and dwell for and during the term of her natural life if in case she remains sole and unmarried, but if in case my said wife shall intermarry with any person then immediately from and after such intermarriage [or upon the] death of my said wife (which shall first apply) I give devise and bequeath my said messuage or tenement and backside with the appurtenances unto my son Timothy Bull and to his heirs and assigns for ever, subject nevertheless to the payment of the sum of ten pounds as is hereinafter mentioned (that is to say) I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Baylis now wife of Edward Baylis the sum of ten pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid one year after the intermarriage or death of my said wife (which shall first happen) if in case my said daughter Ann shall be then living, but if in case my said daughter Ann Baylis shall happen to depart this life before her said legacy of ten pounds shall become due and payable as aforesaid that then I give the said sum of ten pounds to her child or children equally to be divided if more than one share and share alike. All the rest of my goods chattels and personal estate whatsoever I give and bequeath unto my said son Timothy Bull whom I make and ordain full and sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament revoking all former Wills by me heretofore made, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty second day of September in the year of our Lord 1738.

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the Testator Signature of
as and for his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us Timothy Bull
and signed by us in the presence of the Testator.
Signatures of Henry Saunders, George Thomas (Elder).

/continued on page 2.

Page 2 of 2. Timothy Bull (1683 - 1738).

Summary of legacies

1. Brass, pewter, linen, woollen, brewing vessels, wood, underwood, coals and all household goods to wife Ann Bull.
2. Buildings with yard and backside to wife, unless she remarries - in which case all to son Timothy and £10 to daughter Ann Baylis.
3. £10 to daughter Ann Baylis, wife of Edward (after death or remarriage of wife Ann Bull), or to her child or children equally divided if Ann Baylis had died.
4. Rest to son Timothy, sole Executor.

Notes

1. Timothy (the Testator) was the father of Elizabeth Bull (1714-1735) who married Thomas Fawson in 1735 and who soon after murdered him by poisoning, for which she was tried convicted and executed by being burnt at the stake on Northampton Heath on 8.8.1735. His older daughter Ann (mentioned in the Will) was born in 1712 and married Edward Baylis in 1737. His son Timothy (the Executor) was born in 1716 and there were 11 younger siblings - all but one of whom died within a few days of baptism (and presumably birth), and even that one only lived for a month.
2. The cash legacy of £10 would be worth about £1100 in 2002 according to www.eh.net/hmit/ppowerbp . A simple multiplier of about 110 is therefore approximately right.

END