In the name of God Amen I Gainsford Christmas of Cobham in the County of Surry Esquire, being something indisposed in health but of sound mind memory and understanding thanks be given to Almighty God for the same doe make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament and whereas I am lately intermarried to my now beloved wife Elizabeth the daughter of William Weston of Cobham aforesaid Clerke and in consideration of the said marriage and of the summe of four thousand pounds being the Marriage portion of her the said Elizabeth agreed to be paid in such manner and at such times as are particularly mentioned in certain Articles of Agreement made before the said marriage I have by the Articles setled  severall mannors Lands and Tenements on now the said Elizabeth for Life for her future in case she should survive and over live me the said Gainsford Christmas and to the Issue of her body by me begotten as by the said Articles of Agreement relation being thereunto had may now fully and at large appear.  Now my will and meaning is and I do hereby give and bequeath unto my said Deare and beloved wife Elizabeth the said summe of fower thousand pounds being her said portion agreed to be paid me by the said Articles and to her Executors and Administrators (as well as her said future so setled in consideration thereof which my will is she shall hold and enjoy in such manner as it is intended by the said Articles as if this Will had never been made) and in case I the said Gainsford Christmas should dye without any Issue on her begotten, or in case such issue should dye without Issue but if Issue then the portion to remain to the use as is setled by Articles)  And I do hereby release and discharge all Trusts and all Estates that are secured or setled for the raising of the said summe of fower thousand pounds my will being that shee should have and enjoy againe her said fortune of fower thousand pounds as if I had not been married unto her.

Item I give and bequeath unto my loving sister Mary Christmas Twenty pounds to buy her mourning and to my Father in Law and Mother in Law William Weston and Elizabeth his wife Ten pounds a piece viz:  to each of them.  Ten pounds to buy them mourning, which Legacies last mentioned I Will shall be paid by my Executrix hereafter named within Three months after my decease and Lastly I doe hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said beloved wife Elizabeth sole Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament to whom after my debts and Legacies paid and my funeral expenses discharged I give and bequeath all the rest and residue of my Personall Estate whatsoever.  In witness whereof I the said Gainsford Christmas to this my Last Will and Testament contayning one sheet of paper have hereunto set my hand and seale this ninth day of August Anno Dei 1716 (G. Christmas) signed sealed and Delivered by the withinnamed Gainsford Christmas in the presence of us who subscribed our names in the presence of the said Gainsford Christmas (after the words) but if I issue (then the portion to remaine to the use as settled by Articles) now first interlined Peter Hulien, Mary Paris, Na: Sturt  ./.

Probate in Latin granted to Elizabeth Christmas

This Will was kindly  transcribed and sent in by Anne.

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