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In
the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Blessed be the holy and
ever undivided Trinity Amen I THOMAS Earle of Ailesbury & Elgin
residing in the City of Bruxelles in the Duchy of Brabant being God
be Praised in perfect health and memory but considering the
infirmity and mortality of man, the Certainty of Death and the
uncertainty of the time and hour of it, have thought fit and
resolved before I leave this Earthly world to dispose of what the
good god hath been pleased to give me & that which I have power to
bequeath Recommending first my Immortal Soul into the merciful hands
of God my Creator & redeemer & of our Blessed saviour Jesus Christ
who was pleased to dye for us miserable Sinners And of whom I begs
pardon & remission for all my grievous sins past not doubting but to
find Redemption in the world to come.
And
after committing my Mortal Body to the Earth I do make this my last
will and Testament revoking all former wills that I may have since
heretofore made. Imprimis I do ratify and conform all Dispositions
and Conveyances whatsoever by me made heretofore and executed of and
concerning my Real Estate in the Kingdom of England or any part
thereof.
Item as to all my Goods and Chattells ready money and money on
securities that I dye possessed of in the aforesaid kingdom I leave
nothing in trust in the usual manner having that intire confidence
that my most deare and entirely beloved son CHARLES LORD BRUCE that
according to his promise he will see all duly executed pursuant to
any codicil or codicills that I may make after the date of this my
last will.
my
Banker in this town is PETER van GORT in whom I put intire
confidence having had dealings with him for 28 years past and his
son is named JOSEPH van GORT who if his father should dye before me
I design and Employ in the same manner. The Sum of Money in a lump
for the discharging of all here must be returned over to him the
said PETER van GORT or his son ..... to draw a second sum for
accomplishing my dispositions by will or codicil in the French
language which I may make here only to explain my meaning to those
that understand not the English tongue. In that Case if it be found
that the sum in one lump be not sufficient to discharge all my
dispositions .... I desire my dearest son the LORD BRUCE ..... that
the additional sum which may be necessary .... may be paid in London
by any Bills drawn by PETER or JOSEPH van GORT.
To
remove any doubts I here specify that the sum that I suppose will
clear all may amount to £2,500 sterling and if it be necessary to
have an additional sum that then my dearest Daughter the PRINCESS of
HORNES certify under her hand and seal the sum necessary to
accomplish all at the bottom of the Bill PETER or JOSEPH van GORT
may draw for the accomplishing all my dispositions in this country
and for funeral legacies etc and if it should please God to take out
of this world my dearest daughter the PRINCESS of HORNES that then
the certificate of Mr PETER van GORT or his son JOSEPH van GORT
..... shall be sufficient so that it may be taken before a public
notary of the Town of Bruxelles ..... whereof I have set my hand and
seal in the presence of witnesses .... 13 March 1730 new style
signed Ailesbury
witnesses John Duncombe of the First Regiment of Guards , Robert
Daniel His Majesties secretary at the court of Bruxelles, John West
secretary to the Earl of Ailesbury
I
THOMAS Earl of Ailesbury and Elgin residing in the City of Bruxelles
in Brabant doth declare this to be my Codicil subsequent to my last
will and testament dated 13 March 1730 New style .... This Codicil
is in the first place and chiefly to explain the Personal Estate I
may reasonably dye posessed of. At the time of the date hereof I
have in my possession two Bonds under the hands and seals of my
dearest son CHARLES LORD BRUCE and testified by credibly witnesses
one dated 13 December 1720 by which Lord Bruce obliges himself to
pay after my decease £1,850 sterling in lieu of all arrears of rent
that may be due at my decease ... the other Bond I have is signed
and sealed by CHARLES LORD BRUCE 21 March 1725 ... by which he
obliges himself to pay unto his or my assigns £2,000 sterling at 4%
interest to satisfy As to Personal estate ... I have always a good
sum of money on the Ballance of Accompts between me and FRANCIS
CHILD Esq and Alderman of London and Co Partners residing in Fleet
Street by Temple Bar and at the signing of these presents that the
sum may amount to more or less £2,500 sterling and in Mr WILLIAM
MEADs at the Black Lyon in Fleet Street, Goldsmith shutting up shop
I had in his hand upwards of £2,900 sterling and what of that sum
may be retrieved I reckon as an addition to the Personal estate I
may be possessed on If upon Emergencies there may be occasion to
alter what is above written a postcript here under...? signed by me
and testified ....
I
do desire and require that on my decease that is my son in law the
PRINCE of HORNES be then living that some honest and skilful person
may buy for him a most fine Hunting Gelding of fourteen hand and a
half not more strongly built and not fiery or that starts and the
price be about 50 Guineas
I
bequeath to this my beloved daughter the COUNTESS of CARDIGAN £500
and to my beloved daughter in law the LADY BRUCE 200 Guineas and to
my dear brother Mr JAMES BRUCE £200 sterling .....
I
owe on Bond to my old servant and secretary Mr JOHN WEST £200 which
ought to be paid to him or hsi heirs ... the interest hath been paid
to him at 6% regularly in the months of May & November ....
At
the request of Mrs ANNE WARREN residing at Nancy or Lorraine and who
had served my first dearest wife and at her death I became bound
with her husband Mr EDWARD WARREN Lieutenant of the artillery to the
Duke of Lorraine in a Bond for £300 which sum two sisters Mrs
Comptons then residing at Bruxelles lent to the said Edward Warren
at my request and on my being bound with him for the payments of the
said sum now be it known that at the time of the date of the Bond of
the said Warren was in a great and good condition being possessed of
a great number of Horses in Nancy and I think one whole Street
besides he had the patent for the making of gunpowder, soap, candles
etc The said Duke owed him sums, he owed others and by the
exorbitant coarse of the Change of Money he was forced to obtain
what they call in these countrys a White Horse which secures his
person and Effects from being dissipated or sold and tis now many
years past and so like to continue ... For principal to be paid it
could not be expected until the Duke and his other Debtors paid him
.... but for two years past he has discontinued paying the interest
to the said Mrs Comptons. The affairs of the late Duke of Lorraine
were in the last confusion by his high living and his favourites
pillaging him but now it is thought all things will be redressed
... but if the said Mrs Comptons should ... lose their debt by death
of the said Warren ... I then think myself obliged in conscience to
make good the same debt to the said gentlewomen ... out of my
personal estate ... the Van GORTS to act in this affair.
I
give to my dear Grandchild my Lord BRUDENELL now son and heir of the
Earl of CARDIGAN 100 Guineas for to buy him a ring.
Mem: .... I find that in Page 2 Line 22 there is incerted a Blunder
Now I explain by this that my meaning is .... My Dear Daughter the
Princess of HORNES ... I revoke that part of my will where she has
to send out money to satisfy all my debts .... Mr Alderman FRANCIS
CHILD and his Brother SAMUEL CHILD ... concur with PETER van GORT
... at the end of December 1729 Messrs Childs owed £3,866 sterling .
I bequeath to my old and well beloved servant Mr CHARLES BEECHER who
have served me so eminently since 1687 £100 if he be living at my
decease. I ought to mention to his honour the Indefatigable pains he
took and with what Dexterity during my years Imprisonment in the
Tower when the Blood Sucking Dutch (God Almighty Forgive Them)
pursued me for to get possession of my estate their design being to
obtain Condomination and so to enjoy the estate during my life (the
Estate being Intayled) But the Good God blasted all their designs
for which I daily praise him as well as for his great mercys and
blessings towards me and mine.
My
dear Son the LORD BRUCE reserving to the said Mr CHARLES BEECHER for
life the salary he had when actually steward of the Lands, he is
sufficiently provided for Else I should have taken care for to have
supported him in a generous manner ....
14
March 1730 new style - signed Ailesbury
witnesses John Duncombe, Robert Daniel, John West
On
reading over my will and Codicil this 11 April 1731 ...... In the
Name of God and of our Blessed saviour Jesus Christ I do revoke by
this codicil all former ones .... I give and bequeath unto my
dearest daughter MARY PRINCESS OF HORNES £500.....
And
the sum of £500 I give and bequeath unto my dear Granddaughter and
Goddaughter MARY de HORNES who hath always been under my education I
likewise give and bequeath unto my daughter in law JULIANA LADY
BRUCE 500 Guineas As also to my dearest daughter ELIZABETH Countess
Dowager of CARDIGAN £500 As likewise £100 to my Grandson Mr THOMAS
BRUDENELL my godson As likewise to our old and most Trusty of
Stewards Mr CHARLES BEECHER £100 and to my dear Granddaughter Mrs
FRANCES BRUCE £100 And to Mr JOHN SHUCKBOURG Stationer in Fleet
Street 20 Guineas According as my affairs may stand in Bruxelles at
my decease perhaps there may be no occasion for my supervisors of my
will and codicil wrote here in the French language for to draw on
Sir FRANCIS CHILD and Co Partners at Temple Bar for to clear the
gifts and Legacies that I have bequeathed ..... But if there should
be need the said Sir Franci Child & Co hath promised ... to accept
and pay to the said supervisors the funds necessary ..... the said
Francis Child and Co are my Debtors for a very considerable sum
And the gifts and Legacies I have here before bequeathed amount to
but a little more than half of what I find quarterly due to me from
the said Sir Francis Child and Co Bankers that the three Bonds will
remain intire not my dearest son CHARLES LORD BRUCE Entered into for
my use the one for £2,000 one for £1,800 and the third for £1,400
all without interest Besides my dear son by reason of the bad times
is considerably in arrears as to what by agreement he pays to me
yearly for my support.
I
do here declare my said Dearest Son CHARLES LORD BRUCE my Heir as to
all Bonds and ready money that may be owing to me at my decease On
this condition that all may be duly payd and executed at Brusselles
in Brabant pursuant to my will and codicil in both languages ...
The Supervisors of my will and codicils at Brussells are the
Counsellor J Kint? and Mr John Baptiste Vanuffle, Banker both
residing in Brussells the latter being now in a weak condition. The
said Mr J Kint? will make use of the Wife of Mr Vanuffle if she
becomes a widow. She hath arranged all the business for years past
the Custom of these Countreys and Holland and she as well as Mr Kint
understands the English language most well which will give great
ease to those worthy persons that I hope at my request will accept
of being my Executors ...... Be it understood that all they may
have occasion to disburse in the Executing the trust reposed in them
may be reimbursed them by my dearest Son in Law the PRINCE OF HORNES
he is of a moderate stature, spare of Body, which I mention as a
direction as to choosing a Horse or Mare and he being very short
sighted care to be taken that he may not be fiery nor subject to
start and here they not forcing the chace and not hunting in Upper
Plains. It is not necessary that the horse be of the Fine Creeping
Yorkshire Breed creeping on their shoulder. Tis rare to find a
Stone Horse that is not vicious and troublesome. The Price about 50
or 60 Guineas. What I have to dispose of consisting in cash
belonging to me and in Sir Francis Childs and Companys hands and by
the three bonds before specified which my dear son the LORD BRUCE
entered into for sums of money I at different times left in his
hands that being the nominating Executors will be Chiefly for Forin
Sake? and that my dear son assisting them I hope it will give them
very little occupation and with that thought I humbly request
NICHOLAS FAZAKERLEY of Lincolns Inn Esq and ERASMUS LEWIS of Corke
Street Esq will be obliging to me my executors ... my Dear son will
remit to them my will and this codicil ..... and the three bonds
before mentioned each packet to be mutually sealed with the arms of
the aforesaid executors Mr FAZAKERLEYs great and good character I
have had from good hands and as for Mr LEWIS his character and worth
hath been known to me since the year 1698 And I do by this Authorize
my said Executors to withdraw the remaining Cash that will be found
due to me from Sir Francis Child and Partners at my decease Some
what may be drawn on him by the Supervisors of my will and codicil
at Brussells and then the remainder of the said cash is for the use
of my Dear Son the LORD BRUCE....
..... Mr JOHN BAPTISTE VANNUFLE departed this world 27th Instant His
widow generally carried on the trade and managed all Returns of
money by Bills of Exchange so the death of her husband will not
obstruct anything ...... and the said Mr J Kint will make use of the
aforesaid widow as to returns of money from England to this place as
will be found necessary .....
I
have signed my name and it is sealed with my arms in the presence of
witnesses of the Kingdom of Great Britain ... 29 May 1736
witnesses Thomas Edwards, Michael Blount, Peter Darcy, John West
In
the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Blessed be the holy and
ever undivided Trinity Amen .... all legacys by me given should
cease on the demise of any such person or persons so happening
before my Departure out of this world unless I should make any
exception to the contrary which I do now in favour of the widow of
my late most faithfull and trusty Steward Mr CHARLES BEECHER my
will being that the said widow should be paid that legacy I formerly
bequeathed to the said Mr CHARLES BEECHER I adding then that I had
left him a Legacy more considerable had not my dearest son the LORD
BRUCE provided for him according to his great merit and long and
faithful services and in a more particular manner the year entire I
was kept in so close a manner in the Tower it is true that about
1703 or later I rewarded him in granting to him Lifes in the Chief
Farm at Thurlby in Lincolnshire. I bequeath unto my two dearest
granddaughters MARY and ELIZABETH PRINCESSES OF HORNES to each £200
sterling To my worthy friends NICHOLAS FAZAKERLEY and ERASMUS LEWIS
Esq to each 50 Guineas ... Tor Mrs SUSANNA POWELL widow £50 in case
she remains a widow at my decease ..... My will is that my heart
with that of my most dear wife ... should be transported to England
and both to be layd by the remains of my most dear wife in the vault
of the Family at Malden in the County of Bedford. My desire that the
Parson or Rector of the said church be decently rewarded as likewise
the Clerk or the Sexton for his pains as likewise the Poor of the
said Parish should have each a sixpenny loaf of Bread and three
Pound of Beef It is understood One Loaf to each house and the Beef
the same for fear of any Mistake I have set down afresh the Legacys
I bequeath and the List in my former codicil is by this Vacated
To
my dearest daughter the Countess Dowager of Cardigan £500
To
my dearest daughter in law the Lady Bruce 200 Guineas - £210
To
my dearest granddaughter Mary Princess of Hornes £200
To
her sister Elizabeth Princess of Hornes £200
To
my dearest grandson and godson Thomas Brudenell 10 Guineas - £105
To
my dear grand daughter in law Mrs Frances Bruce 100 Guineas - £105
To
my worthy Executors Nicholas Fazakerley and to Erasmus Lewis Esq 50
Guineas each - £105
To
Mr John Shuckbourg of Fleet Street 20 Guineas - £21
Total £1,446
To
Mrs Beecher widow of the alte Mr Charles Beecher £100
To
Mrs Susanna Powell £50
I
recommend to my Dearest Son the LORD BRUCE the Poor condition of Mr
ROBERT COX to whom I gave somewhat yearly and paid by the hands of
Mr John Shuckbourg
In
witness whereof I sett my hand and seale this 31 October at
Brussells 1738
signed Ailesbury
witnesses Robert Daniel, John West, J Weighemans
Note by my will or codocil I bequeathed to my son in law the Prince
of Hornes a fine hunting horse suitable for me to give and him to
accept ....
..... I declare that this is a sort of appendix ...
Legacys bequeathed
[... similar to above] ... with the addition that to my dear
daughter in law the Lady Bruce a ring to the value of £100
To
my dear neices Mrs Henrietta Vyre and Mrs Aylmer £50 each ... and
his two granddaughters were residing with him at Brussells
....my dearest son to have compassion for Robert Fox residing at
Ampthill....
signed and sealed this 9 January 1740 new style
signed Ailesbury
witnesses William Hopkins, Carolus D van Nuffelly, John West
This will was proved at London with 4 codicils 29 January 1741
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