By the permission of Almighty God, I George Hodgson of Scholecroft within the parish of Batley, yeoman, being in a declining state of health but of sound and perfect memory and understanding, do ordain and make this my last will and testament in manner following,

   First I will that my just debts and funeral expenses and probate hereof be paid and discharged. Then I give and bequeath to Ann my loving wife £40 to be paid her 1 month after my decease. I also give and bequeath to my said wife the best bedding and all the other furniture in the best chamber. I also give and bequeath to my daughters Jane and Ann Hodgson each of them £300 to be paid as they shall respectively reach the ages of 21 years and in the meantime the interest of the same from the time of my death after the rate of 4.5 % for a year to be employed and paid by my executors hereinafter named for and towards their maintenance  and education. And if either of my said daughters shall happen to die before her portion shall be due then it is my will and mind that the portion of them dying shall be equally divided amongst all my children then living.

  I also give and bequeath to the children of my daughter Mary the wife of John Whitley the younger £100 to be divided equally amongst them and to be paid as they shall respectively reach the ages of 21 years and in the meantime the interest of the same from the time of my death after the rate of 4.5 % for a year to be employed and paid by my executors hereinafter named for and towards their maintenance & education.But if any of the children of my said daughter Mary shall happen to die before her portion shall be due then it is my will and mind that the legacy of £100 shall be equally divided amongst all my children then living.

  I give and devise unto my said wife during her natural life one annuity or rent charge of £22  to be paid her by 2 equal half yearly amounts payable on the feast of Pentecost and St Martin the bishop of Winter, clear of all taxes and deductions.

  I do hereby declare that all the above bequests and devises to my wife Ann are intended to be in full satisfaction and recompence of and for all her dower and thirds which she may claim or demand out of my estate. And my will expressly is that in case my said wife shall not accept of the same and shall at any time hereinafter present any action or suit for dower and thirds or any other part of my estates real or personal other than what I share here before bequeathed devised and given her, then and in that case the said annuity of £22 a year and all other legacies and bequests here before by me given or intended her shall cease and be void to all intents and purposes. And I do expressly change and subject both my real and personal estate to and with the payment of my debts as well as the said legacies and annuities heretofore mentioned and every part thereof and for the better securing the payment of the same,

  I do hereby give and devise all my messuages, lands, tenements, hereditaments and real estate whatsoever unto my brothers in law Thomas Beatson, John Hemingway and John Watson and the survivors and administrators of them for a term of 500 years. And out of the rents and profits of the same to pay my wife Ann £22 per year. Also out of my personal estate not before bequeathed to pay my just debts and several legacies before mentioned, including the benefit of such to my son Samuel Hodgson. All other personal and real estate not bequeathed I give and devise unto my son Samuel Hodgson, and I do hereby appoint Thomas Beatson, John Hemingway and John Watson joint executors of this my last will and testament and also guardians and tutors of all my children and grandchildren and their estates and portions during their respective minorities. And I do hereby revoke all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I the said George Hodgson have set my hand and seal this 27th day of November 1766.

     Signed and sealed George Hodgson,

Witnessed Martha Whitley, Mary Whitley, Charles Pollard

Obligation

Thomas Beatson of  ........in the parish of Royston, Yeoman. dated 23rd July 1769