In the Name of God Amen I WILLIAM WRATHER of Masham in the County of York gentleman do make this my last will and testament in manner following that is to say I give unto my daughter LUCY WRATHER my silver tankard. I also order my twenty five pictures of Fruit and Flowers shall not be sold or disposed of in any ways howsoever But be kept by my daughters as my executors hereinafter named shall advise and think most proper. I also give to my housekeeper PHILLIS METCALFE the sum of £50 over and above what I owe her for her diligence and care about me to be paid at the end of 12 months next after my decease. I also give unto GEORGE ATKINSON of Masham, comber, the house and rooms wherein he now lives situate in Masham To Hold to him and his assigns for and during his natural life and after his decease I give the same to ANN his now wife To Hold to her and her assigns so long as she shall continue unmarried. But in case my daughters hereinafter named do not chuse that the said GEORGE and ANN his wife shall live in the said house then in lieu thereof I give unto the said GOERGE £1 5s to be paid him half yearly after he shall quit the possession thereof and after his decease I order the sum of £1 5s to be paid half yearly unto ANN his said wife during so long as she shall continue unmarried ....

Also I give and devise and bequeath unto my brother in law WILLIAM HESLINGTON of Masham mercer and grocer and JOSEPH HORNER of the same place gentleman All and Singular my real and personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever... Upon trusts following that is to say In the first place I do order and direct all my just debts legacies Funeral expences be paid forth out of my real and personal estate by sale or mortgage ... then the residue and Remainder to be upon Trust that my said brother in law WILLIAM HESLINGTON and JOSEPH HORNER do stand seized of my said estate and effects To the Use of my Daughters LUCY WRATHER, JANE WRATHER and ELIZABETH WRATHER ... for ever as tenants in common and not as joint tenants and my mind and will is that my said brother in law WILLIAM HESLINGTON and JOSEPH HORNER ... allow my daughters separate maintenance ... and my mind and will is that in case there shall be suitable offers for marrying to all or any of my said children before they attain their respective ages of 21 years and in case the same meet with approbation of my said brother in law WILLIAM HELSINGTON and JOSEPH HORNER I do hereby give WILLIAM HESLINGTON and JOSEPH HORNER full power to raise and pay the childs portion so to be married and able to settle the same upon trusts ... And also my mind and will is that in case my said daughters or any of them shall prove disobedient and be desirous to marry without consent of my brother WILLIAM HESLINGTON and JOSEPH HORNER whilst they are under the respective ages of 21 years whereby they make an imprudent match I give full power to WILLIAM HESLINGTON and JOSEPH HORNER to hold and detain the fortune of her so marrying without consent and either settle or allow a yearly maintenance in what they would judge proper for her both before and after marriage or to settle the same upon their Issue .... I give full power over the fortune Real and Personal of all my daughters acting contrary to their will and pleasure ....

I also hereby nominate and appoint my said brother WILLIAM HESLINGTON and JOSEPH HORNER trustees and Guardians to my said daughters whilst they respectively remain under the ages of 21 years ... and appoint them executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me made at any time. And whereas some time ago all my estate and interest in and to Lambhill was sold according to conditions entered into for that purpose and some dispute having arose about the title Now I do hereby declare my consent to the said sale and do hereby give my executors all power and authority ... for carrying the same into execution and to sign and seal any deed for the conveying and making good title thereof. And lastly I desire Mr RICHARD STEWARDSON of Theakston to be assistant to my executors in settling all my affairs. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 8 July 1780

Witnesses Thomas Clarkson, Jefferay Clarkson, Henry Storey.

From the Registry of Deeds of the North Riding of Yorkshire at Northallerton

BV 21 13

Masham Parish Registers - Burials

27 September 1780 Mr William Wrather