In the name of God Amen: I Thomas Archbell of Tadcaster in the county of York, house carpenter, being somewhat indisposed, but of sound mind, memory and understanding, God be praised for the same, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, in manner following, that is to say:

First and principally I order and direct that my executrix hereinafter named shall, as soon after my death as she conveniently can, pay and discharge all my just debts and the expenses of my funeral, and the proving of this my will.

I also give, devise and bequeath unto my wife Catherine all my houses and premisses at Tadcaster aforesaid [and all] my personal estate, goods, chattels and effects whatsoever and wheresoever, and of what nature and kind so ever, for and during the term of her natural life, provided she shall continue my widow and remain unmarried, and shall maintain, educate and bring up my son Philip and otherwise assist him in a [reasonable] manner as he may have occasion when grown up to adulthood, and after my said wife’s decease then I give and devise all my personal estate and effects of what kind soever my said wife shall be possessed of, I bequeath unto my said son Philip, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns for ever.

But if my said wife should not remain my widow but will again marry, it is my express will and mind that immediately on her marriage with any man, in case my said son shall be then under age of twenty one years, I order and appoint my two friends Thomas Archbell, the younger, and John Houghton, the younger, both of Healaugh in the county of the city of York [or the survivor of them] to enter into and upon all my said houses and premisses and all the personal estate and effects of what nature or kind soever, and take care of the same for the benefit and advantage of my said son, and they my said friends, or the survivor of them, immediately from the marriage of my [said wife] to be the guardians for my said son during his minority and until he shall attain [his age of] twenty one years, and they the said guardians, or the survivor of them, shall pay my said wife on her said marriage the sum of one hundred pounds, and she then to release and quitclaim all right, title and dower or other pretence to any part or share of my said houses or premisses or personal estate. 

And if my said wife shall remain my widow till my said son shall attain his age of twenty one years and then she shall afterwards marry, I order and direct that on my said son paying to her one hundred pounds, he shall be intitled to all the said houses and premisses and personal estate, goods and effects, and she shall then release and quitclaim to him all her right, title and interest in and to the said houses and premisses and personal estate.

And it is my farther will and mind that in case my said son shall dye before he shall attain his age of twenty one years, and that my said wife shall be then living, that then I order that my said wife shall have all the said personal estate, saving my silver watch to the John Houghton, and my silver cup to the said Thomas Archbell.

And lastly I nominate, constitute and appoint my said wife sole executrix of this my last will and testament

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty third day of March one thousand seven hundred and seventy four

Thomas Archbell

Signed, sealed, published and declared in the presence of us William Rider, Thomas Alderson, Philip Shilleto

Exd past seal July 1774