The Will of Richard Charlesworth

In the name of God, Amen, I Richard Charlesworth of Longnor in the Parish of Allstonefield and county of Stafford, Carrier, being of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, do make this my last Will and Testament, in manner following, hereby revoking all former Wills by me heretofore made;
And first I commend my soul to Almighty God my creator and my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named. And as to the Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God, to bless me, I give and dispose thereof, as followeth. All my just Debts, Funeral Expenses and Probate of this my Will being first paid and discharged of.
(That is to say) I give and bequeath to my son Moses Charlesworth the sum of Five Pounds. Also I give and bequeath to my daughter Grace Barker, wife of John Barker the sum of Twenty Pounds. Also I give and bequeath to my Son in Law Thomas Barker the sum of Five Pounds which said sum he now stands indebted to me, and also I further give and bequeath unto him the Clock and Fire Grate now standing and being in his Dwelling house. Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter in Law Mary Charlesworth Widow, to my late son Charles Charlesworth Deceased the sum of Five Pounds. Also I give and bequeath to Five of my Grand Children, (to wit) Rowland, Thomas, Richard, Joseph and Martha, Sons and Daughter of my Daughter Sarah Oakden the sum of Twenty Pounds to be divided equally amongst them, share and share alike as they shall respectively attain the age of Twenty one years. But if it so happen, that any of them die, before his her or their share or shares shall become due and payable as aforesaid that then and in such case, the share or shares of him, her or them so dying shall go to and be equally divided amongst the survivors or survivor of them. Also I give and bequeath to my Grand Daughter Sarah Barker Daughter to the said Thomas Barker the sum of Eight Pounds. To be paid her when she attains the age of twenty one years. Also I give and bequeath to my Grand Daughter Jane Wheeldon the sum of Five Pounds to be paid to her when she attains the age of Twenty one years. Also I give and bequeath to my Daughter Ann Wheeldon, wife of William Wheeldon the sum of Three Pounds also I give to my daughter Ann Wheeldon one Chest.
Also I give and bequeath to my two Grand Daughters to Sarah and to Mary Charlesworth daughters of my son James Charlesworth late deceased the sum of Thirty Pounds to be equally divided between them share and share alike to be paid to them and each of them the sum of fifteen pounds when they attain the age of twenty one years. Also at my decease for the interest of the said thirty pounds to begin to be paid unto my daughter in law Mary Charlesworth Widow of James Charlesworth aforesaid deceased, towards the bringing up and education of the said Sarah and Mary Charlesworth until they arrive at the age of Twenty one but if or and one or either of them dye before they come to the age of Twenty one years for then and in such case the said sum or Legacy to go to and be paid unto the survivor of them but for want of both of them for then and in such case the said sum bequeathed shall be and remain in the hands of my Executor. Also I do hereby charge all my real and personal Estate (whereof I shall die possessed or intituted unto) with the payment of the same. And lastly I do hereby give devise and bequeath all and every my Messuage, Farms, Lands, Tenements, Tythes, Hereditaments and Premises whatsoever and also all other my Real and Personal Estate whatsoever or wheresoever, and of what nature, kind and quality soever the sameto, unto my son Richard Charlesworth, his Heirs and assigns for ever, subject to the said Legacies, Debts and Funeral Expenses before mentioned. And I do hereby nominate and appoint my said son Richard Charlesworth Sole Executor of this my said Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I the said Richard Charlesworth the Testator have hereunto put my hand and seal the second day of June in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy One.

 

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Richard Charlesworth (the Testator) To be his last Will and Testament, in the presence of us, who have subscribed our Names, as witnesses there to, in the sight and at the request of the said Testator and in the presence of each other.   William Mellar Eliz Mellor William Sleigh

his Richard X Charlesworth            mark

At Cheadle 31st October 1776
Let a Probate of this Will be granted to

Richard Charlesworth the sole Executor.
Being sworn before me
Thos White Sur??