In the Name of God Amen, I John Parker of Knowhead in the Parish of Knarsdale, in the County of Northumberland Miner, being weak of Body but of sound and perfect Mind Memory and Understanding (praised be God) Do make and publish this for and as my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following, (That is to say,) First of all, I most humbly Bequeath my Soul to Almighty God my Maker, hoping to be saved by the _ meritorious Death and Passion of Jesus Christ my Saviour and Redeemer, and as for my Body to be buried in Christian Burial at the Discretion of my Executors hereafter named; _ And as touching such worldly Effects wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life, I give devise and dispose of the same as follows. _ Imprimis, I give and bequeath unto my loving Mother, Hannah Todd the sum of two Pounds per Annum, which is to be paid to her yearly without any deduction or defalcation, during the Term of her natural life _ Item, I give and bequeath unto my loving Sister Hannah Fetherstonehaugh all the surpluss Money or Remainder of the Interest and Profits arising from all my other Money, Bills, Bonds, Mortgages and Effects whatsoever, which is to be duly and faithfully paid to her yearly and every Year, during the Term of her natural Life _ But be it remembered, That my Will and desire is, That whoever of the two happens to be the longer liver, the survivor of them is to enjoy all the Profits and _ Interest arising from the whole. _
Item, I give and bequeath to my loving half Brothers Joseph, John, Thomas, and Lancelot Todd, the sum of twenty Pounds each, of lawful Money of Great Britain _. Item I give and Bequeath to my loving half Sister Mary Todd the like sum of twenty Pounds Sterling. _ But my desire is, That if any of the abovenamed Persons to whom I have left Legacies shall happen to die before the same become due, the Moiety or share of the Person so dying shall accrue and descend to the respective Heirs of their several Bodies share and share alike. _ Item, I give and Bequeath to my loving Nephew Thomas Parker (Son of my Brother William Parker) the sum of sixty Pounds of Lawful Money of Great Britain, and likewise my two smallest Chests, and the one half of my wearing apparel. _ Item, I give and bequeath to my loving Nephew, John Parker my large Chest, and the other half of my wearing Apparel. _ Item, I give and bequeath to my loving Niece Mary Robson (lawful Wife of William Robson,) the sum of Fourty Pounds. _ Item, I give and bequeath to my loving Niece Hannah Newton, the like sum of Fourty Pounds. _ Item, I give and bequeath to my Nephew William Parker the sum of ten Pounds. _ Item, I give and Bequeath to me Nephew Joseph Parker the sum of ten Pounds. _ Item, I give and bequeath to my niece Isabel Parker the sum of ten Pounds. _ Item, I give and bequeath to my Niece Sarah Parker the like sum of ten Pounds _ And lastly I give and bequeath to John Proud, (Son of Edward Proud now living at Double Dykes in Hartley burn,) the Sum of Five Pounds, but if he happen to die before it become due his Father is to receive it in his stead. _ All which sums of Money are to be duly and faithfully paid by my Executors and Trustees twelve Months after the decease of my loving Mother and Sister _ _ . All the rest and residue of my Goods, Chattels, Moneys, Bills, Bonds and other Effects whatsoever, and wheresoever unto me belonging, after paying all my just Debts, Legacies, Funeral Expences etc., I freely give and bequeath unto my loving brother William Parker, who I make joint Executor and Trustee, with my loving half brother John Todd, who I appoint joint Executor and Trustee with him in this my last Will and Testament. _ And I do hereby utterly revoke and disanul all other former Wills Legacies and Bequests before this time named willed and Bequested, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament. _
In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this twenty first Day of August, in the twenty seventh Year of the Reign of our sovereign Lord George the Third, by the Grace of God over great Britain, France and Ireland, King defender of the Faith & so forth, and in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven.
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Signed, sealed, declared and published
by the said Testator John Parker being
then of sound and perfect Mind & Memory
and competent Understanding, as and for
his last Will and Testament, in the
Presence of us, who have at his Request &
in his Presence, & in the Presence of each other
of us subscribed our Names as Witnesses hereto.

          Henry Dickinson .
          Thomas Burton . .


1788 P2

The Will of John Parker late of Knowhead in the Parish of Knarsdale decd . Registry.

14th April 1788 - The within Will was proved before the Revd Hugh Nanney (?), Clerk, M.A. a Commissioner in that behalf lawfully authorized - William Parker & John Todd the joint Executors therein named being first sworn well and faithfully to administer.
                                                                                                                                                             W  Maxwell
                                                                                                                                                            Deputy Register

(Durham Probate Records - John Parker 1788 / P2 / 1)

This Will was kindly transcribed and sent in by Anita.

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