The Will of Joseph Finch

This is the last Will and Testament of me Joseph Finch of the Corner Farm in the parish of St Michael in the liberty of St Alban in the County of Hertford farmer. First I direct that all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses be fully paid and satisfied by my executor hereinafter named. I give and devise to my Son Joseph Finch all my freehold and copyhold estates whatsoever and wheresoever to hold to him my said son Joseph Finch and his heirs and assignees for ever.

I also give and bequeath unto my said son Joseph Finch all my personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever to hold to him and his heirs executors administrators and ? for both on condition ? and subject to and charged and chargeable with the payment therout and therefrom of the several and respective legacies and bequests sum and sums of money hereinafter particularly mentioned (that is to say) I give and bequeath to my dear wife Susannah Finch all the interest, dividends and proceeds of and arising from all my funded property or money in the funds that shall be standing in my name in the Books of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England at the time of my decease to be paid to her my said wife by my said son as the same shall become due and payable for the time of her natural life and from and immediately after her decease then I give and bequeath thereout and out of my said personal Estate unto my daughter Susannah Davies now the wife of George Davies of the said parish of St Michael farmer the principal sum of two hundred pounds I also give and bequeath thereout to my grandson John Kent? the principal sum of two hundred pounds I also give and bequeath thereout to my grand daughter Rose Kent? the like principal sum of two hundred pounds I also give and bequeath thereout to my grandson William Headech the like principal sum of one hundred pounds I also give and bequeath thereout to my granddaughter Mary Finch the like principal sum of one hundred pounds I also give and bequeath to my granddaughter Sarah Finch the like principal sum of one hundred pounds I also give and bequeath to my granddaughter Elizabeth Finch the like principal sum of one hundred pounds I also give and bequeath to my granddaughter Susannah Finch the like principal sum of one hundred pounds I also give and bequeath to my grandson Joseph ? the like principal sum of one hundred pounds I also give and bequeath to my grandson William L? the like principal sum of one hundred pounds I also give and bequeath to my grandson James L? the like principal sum of one hundred pounds all which said several legacies sum and sums of money I direct shall be paid by my Executor hereinafter named within three months next after the decease of my said wife and I do hereby nominate and institute and appoint my said Son Joseph Finch sole Executor of this my Will and hereby revoking and making void all former and other Wills by me at any time heretofore made and do declare this only to be my last Will and Testament to witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the eight day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.

Joseph Finch (seal mark)
signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses
Robt Howie           Thomas Norris            W Hart Sol. Hemel Hempstead

I Joseph Finch of the Corner Farm in the parish of St Michael in the County of Hertford gentleman do make this my codicil to my last Will and Testament Whereas I have in and by my said last Will and Testament given and bequeathed to my grandson John Kent? the sum of two hundred pounds and have also given and bequeathed to my granddaughter Rose Kent? the like sum of two hundred pounds and have also given and bequeathed to my grandson William Finch the sum of one hundred pounds and whereas ??? of my said last Will and Testament I have advanced and paid to my said grandson the said John Kent? and my said granddaughter the said Rose Kent? the respective sums of two hundred pounds each and have also advanced and paid to my grandson the said William Finch the sum of one hundred pounds I do by this my Codicil absolutely revoke and amend the said bequests in my said last Will and Testament so made to them the said John Kent? Rose Kent? and William Finch and do declare the same void to all intents and purposes In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the l8th day of May 1833
J Finch witness W Hart Sol Hemel Hempstead

Appended Personally in the goods of Joseph Finch farmer deceased
John Hedge of the Stock Exchange in the City of London Esquire and made oath that he knew and was well acquainted with Joseph Finch late of Corner Farm in the parish of St Michael in the liberty of St Alban in the County of Hertford farmer deceased for some time before and to the time of his death and during such his knowledge of and acquaintance with the said deceased has often seen him write and subscribe his name and has thereby become well acquainted with his manner and character of handwriting and subscription and having now carefully examined and inspected the paper writing hereunto and purporting to be and contain a Codicil to the last Will and Testament of the said deceased the same beginning thus “I Joseph Finch of the Corner Farm in the parish of St Michael in the County of Hertford gentleman” ending thus “I have hereunto set my hand the l8th day of May 1833” and being thus subscribed “J Finch” This exponent further made oath that he does verily and in his ? believe the said initial and name “J Finch” subscribed to the said codicil to be the proper handwriting and subscription of the said deceased J Hedge on the 20th day of April 1835 the said John Hedge Esquire was duly sworn to the truth hereof before John Daubeny surrogate precentor Fredk Roberts Notary

Proved at London with a codicil the 2 May 1835 before the worshipful John Daubeny Doctor? of Laws and Surrogate by the oath of Joseph Finch the son the sole Executor to whom admon was granted having been first sworn duly to administer.