This is the last Will and Testament of me James Light of Milton within the Parish of Gillingham in the County of Dorset Carpenter made whilst being of sound and disposing mind  First I will and direct that my executors hereinafter named do pay all my just debts Funeral and testamentary expences I give devise and bequeath unto my Dear Wife Betty Light all those my two cottages gardens and orchard at Bowridge Bay within the Parish of Gillingham aforesaid with their appurtenances To hold the same for and during the term of her natural life or widowhood and from and immediately after her decease or marriage I give devise and bequeath the same unto my son George Light his heirs and assigns forever But subject nevertheless on the decease or marriage of my said wife to pay thereout (and I do hereby charge the said Premises with the payment thereof) the sum of forty pounds sterling unto my son Samuel Light his executors administrators or assigns I also give devise and bequeath unto my said wife for and during the term of her natural lie or widowhood all that my dwelling house workshops outhouses garden orchard yard hereditaments and premises now in my own occupation situate at Little Marsh within the Parish of Gillingham aforesaid and from and immediately after her decease or marriage I give devise and bequeath the same unto and equally between and amongst my son Henry Light, Clement Light and Jesse Light their and each of their heirs and assigns forever as tenants in common and not as joint tenants  I also give devise and bequeath unto my said wife all that cottage garden and orchard with the appurtenances situate at Little Marsh aforesaid and adjoining the last described premises for and during the term of her natural life or widowhood and after her decease or marriage I give devise and bequeath the same unto my daughter Grace Read (the wife of George Read) and my daughter Frances Light their and each of their heirs and assigns forever as tenants in common and not as joint tenants I give and bequeath unto my said wife her executors administrators and assigns the sum of twenty five pounds for the purpose of apprenticing my said son Jesse Light. All the rest residue and remainder of my estate and effects of what nature or kindsoever I also give devise and bequeath unto my said wife for and during the term of hr natural life or widowhood and after her decease or marriage I give devise and bequeath the said residue in the shares and proportions following that is to say unto my daughter Ann (the wife of Henry Smith) the sum of sixty pounds, unto my daughter Mary (the wife of John Turner) sixty pounds unto my said son Samuel Light thirty five pounds unto my said son Henry Light twenty five pounds and it is my will that the shares of my said residue lastly bequeathed shall in case of either of my said children departing this life before the decease of my said wife or marriage then that the share of him her or them so dying leaving lawful issue shall go to and be equally divided between and amongst such lawful issue respectively of such deceased parent if more than one child but if only one the whole of the share of such deceased parent to such one.  And if here shall be any monies or effects remaining out of the aforesaid residue after the aforesaid portions shall be paid then that such last residue shall be divided equally between and amongst such of my said children as shall be living at my said wife’s decease or marriage and lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said sons George and Henry Light joint executors of this my last will and testament In witness whereof I the said Testator James Light have to this my said last will written upon two sheets of paper to the first sheet thereof set my hand and to this second and last sheet thereof set my hand and seal this second day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.  Signed James Light   Signed sealed published and declared by the Testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses George Forward Milton Dorset William Light Gillingham John Larham ? Solr Mere Wilts     27 August 1840 Milton Psh Gillingham.  The will of James Light deceased.  His will was proved at Gillingham on 27th day of August 1840 before the Rev and Worshipful William Patteson Clerk MA Official lawfully constituted of the Peculiar and exempt Jurisdiction of Gillingham in the County of Dorset and by him Administration of all and singular the Goods and Chattels of the said Deceased and any ways concerning his Will was committed unto George Light and Henry Light the joint Executors named therein…etc (printed)