In the Name of God Amen I John Cossins of Redland Court in the Parish of Westbury upon Trym in the County of Gloucester Do make this my last Will and Testament in manner following First my Will is And I do Desire to be Privately Interred in the Vault in the Chappel at Redland aforesaid without Pall Bearers to be there Carry’d by Six of my Neighbours to each of whom I Give the Sum of Six Pounds to buy them Mourning Also I Give to all my Brothers and Sisters in Law Twenty Pounds each and to each of my Servants that Shall have lived with me at my Decease Twelve Months a Year’s Wages over and above what Shall be then due to them and to each of such Servants as shall not have lived with me so long half a Year’s Wages over and above what Shall be then due to them Also I give to Ten Poor People of the Parish of Saint ffaith the Virgin in London ffive Pounds each and to ten Poor People of the Parish of Saint Gregory in London the like Sum of ffive Pounds each and to ten Poor Persons of the said Parish of Westbury upon Trym the like Sum of ffive Pounds each which Legacys I Direct to be paid by my Executrix in such manner as She shall think Proper Also I Give and Devise all and Singular my Messuages or Tenements Lands and Premises with their Appurtenances called by the name of Bricknells and ffarringtons Lakes situate in or near Crewkerne in the County of Somerset unto my Couzin William Cossins To hold to him the said William Cossins for and during the Term of his Natural life and from and Immediately after his Decease I Give and Devise the same unto John Cossins (Son of the said William Cossins) his heirs and Assigns for ever Also I give and bequeath unto the three Several Hospitals of Saint Bartholomew Bethlehem and Christ in London and to the Infirmary Hospital in the City of Bristol the Sum of One hundred Pounds each to be Severally Paid out of my Personal Estate (not restrained by Law from being given to Charitable uses) within Twelve Months after my Decease Item I Give and bequeath unto the Minister and Church Wardens for the time being of the Parish of Saint Gregory London the Sum of One hundred Pounds In Trust to be Applyed to and for the use and Benefit of the Charity School in the Ward of Castle Bay for the Education of Poor Children to be paid out of my Personal Estate as aforesaid within Twelve Months of my Decease Item I Give and bequeath unto the Minister and Church Wardens for the time being of the Parish of Saint ffaith the Virgin in London the Sum of One hundred Pounds to be Applyed to and for the use and Benefit of the Charity School in the Ward of ffarringdon within in London for the Education of Poor Children to be paid out of my Personal Estate as aforesaid within Twelve Months after my Decease Item I give unto Sarah Cossins and                     Hughes Daughters of my Uncle William Cossins the Sum of ffive Hundred Pounds to be paid by my Executrix as soon after my Decease as she shall think proper Also I Give and Devise unto my said Dear Wife Martha Cossins All that my Messuage or Tenement and Premises with the Appurtenances at the West End of St Pauls London Adjoyning to Saint Pauls Cathedral To Hold to my said Wife for and during the Term of her Natural life and from and Immediately after her Decease I Give and Devise the said Messuage or Tenement and Premises unto my Couzin         Sherley Daughter of my Aunt Biggs for and during the Term of her Natural life and from and Immediately after her Decease I Give and Devise the said Messuage or Tenement and Premises unto such Person or Persons for such Estate and Estates Terms and Interests as my said Wife shall by her last Will and Testament in Writing duly Executed and Attested by three or more Credible Witnesses Give Devise Limit Direct or Appoint Item I Give Devise and Bequeath unto my said Dear Wife All that my Mansion House and all other my Messuages Lands Tenements Hereditaments and Premises whatsoever in the said County of Gloucester or Elsewhere in the Kingdom of Great Britain with their and every of their Rights Members and Appurtenances and also all the ffee ffarm Rents Chief rents and other rents Issuing or Payable out of or for any such Lands Tenements or Hereditaments To have and to Hold the said Mansion House Messuages Lands Tenements Hereditaments Rents and Premises with their Appurtenances unto my said Dear Wife Martha Cossins her Heirs and Assigns for ever Item I Give and bequeath unto my said Dear Wife Martha Cossins All those my Leasehold Messuages or Tenements at the West End of Saint Pauls now in the Occupation of Messrs Wilson and Thornhill (which I hold by Leases from the Bishop of London) for and during my Estate and Interest therein And all the Rest residue and Remainder of my ready Monies Securities for Money Household Goods Plate Jewells Pictures Goods Chattels Effects and Personal Estate of what nature or kind soever (after Payment of my Debts Legacies and ffuneral Expences) I Give and bequeath unto my said Dear Wife To hold to her my said Wife her Executors Administrators and Assigns And I do hereby Nominate Constitute and Appoint my said Wife Martha Cossins Executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me heretofore made and declaring this only to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have to Two Parts of this my last Will and Testament contained in three Sheets of Paper each to the first and Second Sheets thereof set my hand and to the third and last Sheet of each set my hand and Seal the Twenty third day of December in the Thirtieth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain ffrance and Ireland King Defender of the ffaith and so forth And in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and ffifty Six John Cossins

(Attestation Clause)

Abhm Stokes     Wm Purnell    Jer. Osborne

Proved at London 8 May 1759

PCC Prob11/846