This is the last will and testament of me Eliza Godber of Lings in the parish of North Wingfield in the county of Derby, widow.

First I direct my executors hereinafter named to pay all my just debts, funeral and testamentary expenses out of my personal estate.

I give devise and bequeath all those my four cottages with the outbuildings gardens and appurtenances thereto situate in Birchwood Lane in the parish of Alfreton in the said County of Derby unto my brother Thomas Robinson of Hucknall Huthwaite farmer absolutely.

Subject nevertheless as follows and whereas my said brother Thomas Robinson being indebted to my brother Joseph Robinson of Clay Cross in the said County of Derby, grocer, in a sum of one hundred pounds I hereby charge the said four cottages herein before devised to the said Thomas Robinson with the payment of the said sum of one hundred pounds such charge to be by way of collateral security only.

I give devise and bequeath all those my three dwelling-houses with the outbuildings, gardens, and appurtenances thereto situate at Somercotes in the parish of Alfreton aforesaid and which are known as The Homestead unto my brother the said Joseph Robinson absolutely.

I give and bequeath all my furniture, cash in the house, cash in the bank and elsewhere and all the rest and residue of all my personal estate and effects unto the said Joseph Robinson and Thomas Elliott of Whittington Moor in the said County of Derby, Chemist, upon Trust to convert and realise into money all such parts thereof as shall not consist of money and to stand possessed of the whole of my personal estate.

Upon Trust first to pay thereout to my sister Rosamund of Wath upon Dearne, widow, a sum of twenty pounds absolutely.

Secondly to retain there a sum of five pounds each for their services and trouble in the carrying out of the trusts of this my will

And thirdly to divide all the rest and residue into eighteen equal parts or shares and to pay one of such eighteenth part or share unto each of my nephews and nieces following namely Eliza Reckless, Sarah Tee, Rosamund Hackford and Martha Dyke being the four daughters of my sister the said Rosamund Mather.

To Elizabeth Mart, Sarah Ann Bonser, Thomas Robinson, Benjamin Burton Robinson, Mary Ball, Lucy Ball and Julia Charlton being the six sons and daughters of my brother Thomas Robinson.

And to Sarah the wife of the said Thomas Elliott, Henry Evans Robinson, Mary Evans Robinson, Thomas Robinson, Julia Robinson, Martha Lydia Evans the wife of John Ferguson and Arthur Edgar Evans Robinson being the sons and daughters of my said brother Joseph Robinson.

And in case any of my said nephews and nieces shall pre-decease me leaving lawful issue then I direct that such issue shall take the share which their parents if living would have taken.

And lastly I appoint my brother the said Joseph Robinson and the said Thomas Elliott Executors.

Of this my will hereby revoking all former wills by me made in witness whereof I the said Eliza Godber have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of April eighteen hundred and eighty-nine.

Eliza Godber

Signed by the said Eliza Godber the testatrix as and for her last will and testament in writing in the presence of us both being present at the same time. Who at her request and in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

Alfred Slack    Solicitor, Clay Cross

William Hutton   Market Street, Clay Cross

Proved at Derby the twentieth June eighteen ninety by the oaths of Joseph Robinson the brother and Thomas Elliott the executor to confirm administration was granted. The testatrix Eliza Godber was formerly of Lings but late of Clay Cross Both in the parish of North Wingfield in the County of Derby, widow, and died on the eighteenth of April eighteen hundred and ninety at Clay Cross aforesaid.

Gross value of personal estate £453 – 7 – 7.

Extracted by Alfred Slack solicitor Clay Cross

Note

Eliza was the widow of John Godber a colliery manager.

From a manuscript kindly supplied by: Derbyshire Record Office

Will transcribed by Angus and Rosemary on 17th July 2011.