The Will of Rebecca Williams 1713 - 1799

THIS IS THE LAST WiLL and Testament of me Rebecca Williams of Gosport in the County of Southampton widow ffirst and principally I recommend my Soul to Almighty God through the merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour and my body I commit to the Dust in hope of a Resurrection to Eternal Glory and as to such worldly Estate and Effects wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me I give and disport thereof in manner following (that is to say) I give and bequeath unto my Son Thomas Williams late of Portsea but now of Nottingham Hosier the sum of six hundred pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to and for his sole use and benefit and I give him this sum because my other two children had from me Three hundred pounds more than him also I give and bequeath unto my said Son Thomas my Dear Husband's picture and my own also my Walnut Tree Escritoire with Glass Doors which was my Brother's also I give and bequeath unto my Son in Law John Voke the sum of twenty pounds to be paid at the expiration of twelve months after my Decease Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Rebecca wife of the said John Voke all my clothes and wearing apparel of every sort and kind and the sum of Three hundred pounds of good and lawful money of Great Britain to and for her sole use and benefit to be paid at the expiration of twelve month's wait after my decease also I give and bequeath unto my said Son Thomas Williams and my Daughter Rebecca Voke all the residue of my Household Goods and ffurniture Plate Silver and China to be equally divided between them share and share alike also I give and bequeath unto my Son in Law John ffenn Mr Kerny's Exposition of the Old and New Testament in Six Volumes also I give and bequeath unto my said Son Thomas Williams his Executors and admors (administrators) the sum of three hundred pounds of good and lawful money of Great Britain in Trust to pay the whole thereof unto and equally between my two Granddaughters Harriott and Rebecca Williams ffenn when the youngest shall have attained the age of twenty one years share and share alike but in case either of them shall die before attaining that age Then in Trust to pay the whole thereof unto the other or survivor on attainining the said age of twenty one years and in case it shall happen that both my said Granddaughters shall die before the youngest shall attain the age of twenty one years then in Trust to pay the same unto aII and every my other Grand Children that shall be then living if more than one share and share alike and if but one such Grand Child then in Trust to pay the same unto such one Grandchild and if there should be no such Grandchild then I give and bequeath the same unto and equally between my said Son Thomas Williams and my said Daughter Rebecca Voke share and share alike to and for their sole use and benefit and the Interest that shall from time to time accrue and grow due in the meanwhile on the said sum of Three hundred pounds from the time of my Decease I give to my said Son Thomas Williams To and for his own use and benefit it being my intent and meaning that the said principal only of Three hundred pounds shall be paid to and divided between or amongst my said Grandchildren also I give and bequeath unto my Granddaughter Lydia Williams my Gold Watch and Case which it was my original intention to have given to my Daughter Rebecca but as she has now a much better one I give mine as herein mentioned to my said Granddaughter Lydia Williams and all the rest residue and remainder of my monies securities for money personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature sort or kindsoever the same may or shall consist not hereinbefore disposed of which I am now or shall be at the time of my Decease possessed of interested in entitled unto in any manner howsoever after payment of my just debts and ffuneral expenses and the costs and charges of proving and executing my will and the expense of Iron Railing round my Tomb which it is my desire shall be placed I give and bequeath unto my said Son Thomas Williams and I do hereby make nominate constitute and appoint my said Son Thomas Williams and my said Son in Law John Voke and my said Daughter Rebecca his wife joint Executors of this my will and lastly hereby revoking all former and other Will and Wills by me at any time heretofore made I do declare this only to be and contain my true last will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said Rebecca Williams have hereunto set my hand and seal the first day of June in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven /———/ R.Williams /-———-/ Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the said Testatrix Rebecca Williams as and for her last will and Testament in the presence of us who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses

Tho's And's Minchin /——/ John Silver his Clk


THIS WILL was proved at London the fourth day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and ninety nine before the Right Honourable Sir William Wynne Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Thomas Williams one of the Executors named in the will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said Deceased having been first sworn by Commission duly to administer./ Power reserved of making the like Grant to John Voke and Rebecca Voke (Wife of the said John Voke) the other Executors named in the said Will when they or either of them shall apply for the same.


Original in Public Record Office; Ref: Prob 11/1330