In the Name of God Amen I William Nicholls of Bideford in the County of Devon Ironmonger being of sound Mind do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say) ffirst I commend my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God and my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named and as touching the disposition of all my Temporal Estate I do give and dispose thereof as followeth (to wit) I will that all my Debts and ffuneral Charges shall be first paid and discharged I give and bequeath unto my Mother in Law Sarah Nicholls four Pounds to be paid to her Yearly by Quarterly Payment free from all outgoings by my Executors hereafter named for and during her natural life I also given and bequeath unto my Uncle John Nicholls One Shilling a Week to be paid to him Weekly during his natural life I also given and bequeath unto my Brother in Law Samuel Pitts five Pounds and five Shillings I also given and bequeath unto my Brother in Law James Hopkins five Pounds and five Shillings I also given and bequeath unto my Kinsman Samuel Nicholls Junr Thirty Pounds to be paid him at the Age of Twenty one Years I also given and bequeath unto my Kinswoman Hannah Nicholls Ten Pounds I also given and bequeath unto my Niece Hannah Pitts ffifty pounds I also given and bequeath unto my Niece Elizabeth Pitts Ten Pounds I also give and bequeath unto Henry Pierce William Keen Arthur Halls George Sheares ffrancis Pearce and Mary Scott one Guinea in Gold each of them Lastly all the rest and residue of my Personal Estate Goods Chattels and Effects whatsoever I do give unto my Sisters Mary Pitts and Elizabeth Hopkins (and the Heirs of their Bodys after their decease) whom I do make and appoint joint Executrixes of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking disannulling and making void all former and other Wills by me heretofore made Either by Word of Mouth or in Writing In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this Second day of August in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and forty six _ Willm Nicholls

(Attestation Clause)

Jno Whatfield      William Rawls      ffrances Pearce

Proved at London 10 November 1746 by the Oaths of Mary Pitts (Wife of Samuel Pitts) and Elizabeth Hopkins (Wife of James Hopkins)

PCC  Prob11/751