The Will of James Read

In the Name of God Amen I James Read of Hockliff in the County of Bedford Butcher being Weak in Body but of Sound and Disposing Mind Memory and Understanding Do make and Publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say First I give and bequeath unto my loving Wife Judith Read All her Wearing Apparel and all and e very such Goods Chattells and Effects she on her Marriage brought to me and all such Sum and Sums of Money and other thing and things whatsoever I am or may be entitled unto by Virtue of my Intermarriage with my said Wife To Hold the same unto my said Wife Judith Read her Executors and Administrators Absolutely for her own Use and Benefit Also I give and bequeath unto my son David Read my Watch, Silver Shoe Buckles, Sleve Buttons and two Rings and desire the same may be delivered to him when my Executor hereinafter named shall think proper Also I give and bequeath unto my loving Brother Michael Read my Suit of Mourning and five Shirts and direct that the same may be delivered to him when my Executor hereinafter named immediately after my decease Also I give and bequeath unto my loving Brother George Read all the rest and residue of my Wearing Apparel and direct that the same shall be Delivered to him Immediately after my Decease Also I give and bequeath unto my loving Brother John Read all and every the Sum and Sums of Money he stands indebted to me Also I will and direct that my Executor hereinafter give my Sisters in Law Mary Ellingham Sarah Read and Elizabeth Partridge the refusal of my late Wife’s Wearing Apparel and Childbed Linen and in Case they shall not or will not Purchase the same that the same be Sold by Public Auction and that the Money arising therefrom be applied to the same and the like Uses as the rest and residue of my personal Estate hereinafter mentioned And as to all the rest and residue of my personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever (and not hereinbefore otherwise disposed of) I give and bequeath the same unto John Buttfield of Potsgrove in the said County of Bedford Dairyman Thomas Gillman of Hockliff aforesaid Cordwainer and Thomas Read of Whipsnade in the said County of Bedford Yeoman and to the Survivors and Survivor of them and to their and his Executors and Administrators Upon Trust that they the said John Buttfield Thomas Gillman and Thomas Read or the Survivors and Survivor of them and to their and his Executors and Administrators Do and shall as soon as Conveniently may be after my Decease sell by Public Auction All and every the said rest and residue of my said personal Estate and Convert the same into Money and the Money arising from the Sale or Disposition thereof Upon Trust in the first place to pay off and discharge all and every my just Debts my Funeral Expences and the Charges of proving this my Will Upon further Trust with all Convenient speed to pay one full third part of the Money then remaining Unto my said Wife Judith Read for her own Sole use and benefit Upon further Trust to put and place out at Interest the remaining two third part thereof on any Land Tenements or Hereditaments or other private Securities they shall think fit and proper and the Interest and Produce thereof to pay and apply for the Education Maintenance and bringing up of my said Son David Read as they in their Discretion shall think fit and proper until he shall attain unto the Age of twenty one Years Upon further Trust that when and so soon my said son shall attain unto the said Age of twenty one Years To sell and dispose of the said Securities on which the said two third part of the said Monies arising from my said personal Estate shall be so put out and placed out at Interest or call in the Monies due thereon and pay the same to my said Son David Read for his own Sole use and benefit And my Mind and Will further is that if my said Son David Read shall depart this life before he attains unto his said Age of twenty one Years then my Mind and Will is that my said Trustees and the Survivors and Survivor of them and to their or his Executors or Administrators Do sell and dispose of the said Securities on which the said two third part of the said Monies arising from my said personal Estate shall be so placed or put as aforesaid or call in the Moneys due thereon and pay the same as follows that is to say one third part thereof to my said Wife Judith Read (if then living) and the remaining two thirds part unto all and every of my Brothers and Sisters as shall then be living share and share alike And my Mind and Will is ??. my said Wife Judith Read shall not be living at the Decease of my said Son shall be paid unto all and every of my said Brothers and Sisters as shall then be living equally share and share alike And I do hereby Constitute and appoint the said John Buttfield Thomas Gillman and Thomas Read joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament and also Guardians and Trustees to my said Son as well of his Person as of his Fortune during his Minority and Lastly I do hereby revoke 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 James Read have to the first Sheet of this my last Will and Testament contained on two Sheets of paper set my Hand and to this second and last my Hand and Seal this first day of October in the Year of our Lord Christ One thousand seven hundred and Eighty one
 
James Read
 
Jams Foster
The Mark X of Mary Botsford
David Willis
 
Proved 7 Jan 1782
Value three hundred pounds and upwards
 
Bedford Record Office
 
ABP/W 1782/3