This is the last Will and Testament of me Elizabeth Read of Hockliffe in the County of Bedford Widow and Relict of Michael Read the Elder late of Hockliffe aforesaid Dairyman deceased Whereas in and by the last Will and Testament of my said late Husband Michael Read the Elder bearing date on or about the Fourteenth day of August One thousand Eight Hundred and Ten I am entitled to a Moiety Equal half part or share of and in All his Household Goods and Furniture Stock in Trade both alive and dead and the rest residue and remainder of his Personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever with a power to me thereby Given and in me thereby vested of disposing of the same by Will or otherwise Now I do hereby in pursuance and exercise of the power and authority Given and reserved to me in and by the hereinbefore in part recited Will of my said late Husband Michael Read the Elder and by force and virtue of all and every the power and powers authority and authorities in me being or enabling me thereto make my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) First I order and direct all my just Debts Funeral and Testamentary Expences to be fully paid and discharged by my Executor hereinafter named Also I Give and Bequeath unto my Niece Elizabeth Brewster the Legacy or Sum of Forty pounds which I do direct to be paid to her by my Executor hereinafter named when she shall arrive at and attain the Age of Twenty one years Provided always and my Mind and Will nevertheless is that in case my said Niece Elizabeth Brewster shall happen to Depart this Life before she shall arrive at and attain the Age of Twenty one years Then I do hereby Give and Bequeath the said Legacy or Sum of Forty Pounds so Given and Bequeathed unto her as aforesaid unto my Grandson Frederick Read the Son of James Read of Hockliffe aforesaid Butcher All the rest residue and remainder of my Estate and Effects of what kind or nature soever which I now have or shall hereafter have a right to dispose of I Give and Bequeath the same and every part thereof unto my Son the said James Read of Hockliffe aforesaid Butcher to and for his own absolute use and benefit And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said James Read sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all former and other Wills by me at any time heretofore made and do declare this to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said Elizabeth Read have to this my last Will and Testament set my Hand and Seal this Sixteenth day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and thirty one
 
The Mark of X Elizabeth Read
 
John Heckford Hockliffe Bed
C R Day Solicitor Woburn
 
Proved 24 May 1831
(Personal Estate under two hundred pounds)
Bedfordshire Record Office
ABP/W 1831/22