In the name of God amen, I William Birkby of Wyke in the county of York, husbandman, do make this my last will and testament in the manner following, first,  I .being of sound mind and perfect memory-thanks be unto God, I give and recommend  my soul to the mercy of my creator, and my body I commit to the earth in full hope of it's resurrection to eternal life at the last day, to be decently buried at the discretion of my executors hereinafter named.

.  AND now touching my worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me, I give and bequeath as follows,----

   I give and bequeath to my dear and well beloved wife 5 pounds yearly and every year during her mortal life.

  To my son Henry I give 20 pounds, ditto for sons Robert, Richard, William and Samuel. To my daughter Grace wife of Thomas Pinder 20 pounds, to Mary my dau wife of Henry Firth 20 punds, remainder of his personal estate etc to be divided amongst his 5 sons named above. Named his sons Henry and Robert Birkby as joint executors, signed and dated this day 11th January 1759.

signed Geo Nicholson, John Smith and Wm Birkby's mark.

  Obligation,

    We Henry Birkby of Cleckheaton farmer, and Robert Birkby of Cleckheaton Butcher and James Wilson of Halifax Innkeeper signed and `dated 22nd January 1774.