This is the last Will and Testament of me Benjamin Josey of Lyndhurst Street Reading Beer Seller and Timber Merchant I direct all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses to be fully paid and satisfied I give and bequeath unto my wife Olivia formerly Olivia Everard and unto my own Children who shall be living at the time of my decease All my stock in trade and book debts which may be owing to me at my decease in the following proportions namely One half part or share unto my said Wife and the remaining half part or share between and amongst my said Children share and share alike to be divided among them according to the discretion of my Executor and Executrix I give and bequeath unto my Son Charles Josey the bed which I sleep upon for his own use the other portions of my furniture which are not mentioned in the settlement of the property of my Wife previously to our marriage I give and bequeath unto my said Children in equal parts shares and proportions I give devise and bequeath unto my said Executors All that freehold messuage or tenement and premises being No 14 situate on the North side of the Cadogan Place in the Parish of Saint Giles Reading In Trust as soon as conveniently after my decease to sell and convert the same into money either by public auction or by private contract as my said Executors shall deem most fitting and expedient with full discretion to buy in the same and to vary or rescind any contract for sale without being liable for any consequential loss and also to execute such instruments and assurances as shall be requisite for effecting and completing the sale of my said ffreehold property And I direct my said Executor to pay and apply the produce of such sale unto between and amongst all my Children who shall be living at the time of my decease in equal parts shares and proportions share and share alike And in case either of my said Children shall die in my lifetime leaving any issue then I direct that such issue shall take the parent’s share And I declare that the receipts of my said Executors shall effectively exonerate purchasers or purchaser payment monies to my said Executor from all liabilities in respect of the application thereof And I hereby discharge my said Executors from all responsibility in respect of involuntary losses and also authorize my said Executors to retain all expenses incurred in or about the execution of the trusts of this my Will And as to all the Rest and Residue of my Personal Estate and Effects not hereinbefore disposed of by this my Will I give and bequeath the same unto my said Wife And lastly I hereby nominate and constitute my said Wife Executrix and William Hodges of 12 Oxford Street Reading aforesaid Auctioneer Executor of this my Will And I hereby revoke all former Wills by me at any time made and declare this alone to be and contain my last Will and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twenty second day of March one thousand eight hundred and fifty four The Mark of Benjamin Josey

(Attestation Clause)

Wm Hodges 12 Oxford Street Reading     Stephen Swain 18 ..... Square

Proved at London 15 February 1856

PCC Prob11/2227