William STEVENS (1688 - 1756). Innholder, Abthorpe, 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.

Will made 23.5.1755. Buried 21.7.1756. Will proved 16.8.1756.

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 William Stephens the elder of Abthorpe in the County of Northampton, Innholder, being weak in body but of sound mind and memory, blessed be God, do this 23rd day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty five make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) Imprimis I give to my son Joseph Stephens all my wearing apparel at my decease. Item. I give to my son William Stephens the best pig or hog as is in my yard at the time of my decease. Item. I give to my son John Stephens £5 to be paid one month after my decease. Item. I give to my son William Stephens the sum of £5 to be paid one month after my decease. Item. I give to my son Thomas Stephens the sum of £5 to be paid one month after my decease. Item. I give to my son Joseph Stephens the sum of £5 to be paid one month after my decease. Item. I give to my daughter Elizabeth Shepard the sum of £5 to be paid one month after my decease. Item. It is my will and desire that my son Simon Stephens for what I shall give to him is to maintain my loving wife during her natural life in meat drink and lodging and washing and wearing apparel. Item. I order all my goods and chattels to be appraised after my decease and in case my son Simon Stephens shall ever refuse to maintain my wife as directed as above to pay the value of the inventory in money of what I give to him to my said wife to make provision for herself. Item. I put in trust Thomas Eyre of Helmdon, Baker, Thomas Adams of Wappenham, Grocer, to see as my wife is roofed and maintained in a Christian like manner. Item. It is my will and desire that my son Simon Stephens do succeed me in my business. Item. All the rest and residue of my goods and chattels and personal estate I give to my son Simon Stephens whom I make sole Executor. Item. It is my will for the legacies to be paid by my Executor and be at the expenses of my funeral charges in witness whereof the said William Stephens hath to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal the day and year above.

Written signed sealed and delivered by the Testator. The mark of William Stephens his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who were present at the signing and sealing thereof.

[Witnesses names annotated at side]. Thomas Adams, Thomas Eyre, John Kingstone.

[Over the page] August 16 1756. Simon Stephens the sole Executor named in the within written Will was then at the petition of ? the Proctor sworn faithfully to fulfil the same.

/continued on page 2.

Page 2 of 2. William Stevens (1688 - 1756).

Summary of legacies

1. All wearing apparel to son Joseph Stevens.
2. Best pig or hog in the yard to William Stevens.
3. £5 to son John Stevens.
4. £5 to son William Stevens.
5. £5 to son Thomas Stevens.
6. £5 to son Joseph Stevens.
7. £5 to daughter Elizabeth Shepard.
8. Goods and chattels to son Simon Stevens - providing he agreed to maintain the Testator's wife in meat, drink, lodging, washing and wearing apparel. If not the value of the goods and chattels to be paid to the wife.
9. Rest, including property and business, to son Simon Stevens.

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. The bottom of the Will appears to have been torn off at some stage. This is probably why the names of the witnesses have been annotated at the side - above the torn off portion. This was probably done at the time of proving.
3. The cash legacy of £25 would be worth about £2680 in 2002 according to www.eh.net/hmit/ppowerbp. A simple multiplier of about 107 is therefore approximately right.

END