William Fox of Scalford 1780 Will

Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives PR/T/1780/76

This is the last Will and Testament of me William Fox of Scalford in the County of Leicester yeoman

First I desire to be buried in a Private and decent manner at the discretion of my Executor hereinafter named

And as for my Worldly Estate which hath Pleased God to bless me with I Give and dispose thereof as follows

In the first Place I Give and Devise all that my Messuage or Tenement with the Yard Garden and Blacksmiths shop thereunto adjoining and belonging Hereditaments and Premises with the Appurtenances (Except the free use and occupation of three Rooms as is hereinafter mentioned) Situate Standing and being in Scalford aforesaid and now in my own Tenure or Occupation and of my Son in Law Thomas Harby our Assignee or Assigns And also all that one Cottage Common Right or Close Situate lying and being in the Common Cottage Pasture of Scalford aforesaid and which was upon the Inclosure of the said Fields of Scalford aforesaid Allotted Jointly with other Persons Cottage Common Right in the said Common Cottage Pasture in Scalford Aforesaid Unto my Youngest Son William Fox for ever yet Nevertheless my Mind and Will is and I do hereby Subject and charge the said Messuage or Tenement Blacksmiths shop and Cottage Common so given to my said Youngest Son William Fox as aforesaid with the Just Payment of the Several Legacies hereinafter given and bequeathed by me

Also I Give and Devise All that one other Cottage Common Right or Close Situate lying and being in the said Common Cottage Pasture Close in Scalford aforesaid and which was also upon the said inclosure Allotted Jointly with other Persons Cottage Common Right in the said Common Pasture Unto my Eldest Son John Fox his Heirs and Assigs for ever

Also I Give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Fox the Sum of Twenty Pounds to be Paid her within Twelve Months next after my deceased by my Executor hereinafter named

Also I Give and bequeath unto my Daughter Sarah Harby the Wife of Thomas Harby of Scalford aforesaid Blacksmith the sum of One Guinea to be Paid her immediately after my decease by my said Executor

Also I Give and bequeath unto my Daughter Ann King the Wife of John King of Scalford aforesaid Labourer the Sum of one Guinea to be Paid her Immediately after my decease by my said Executor

Also I Give and bequeath unto my Daughter Hannah Wilford the Wife of Thomas Wilford of Scalford aforesaid Grazier the like Sum of One Guinea to be paid her Immediately after my Decease by my said Executor

All which said Legacies so Specifically given by me to my said four Daughters as aforesaid I do hereby Subject and charge my said Messuage or Tenement Blacksmiths Shop and Cottage Common Right so devised to my said youngest Son William Fox as aforesaid with the Just and true Payment thereof

Also I Give and bequeath the free use and occupation of three Rooms Part of my now dwelling house in Scalford aforesaid Together with the Use of all or any of my household Goods Unto my said Daughter Elizabeth for so long as she continues Single and unmarried and not otherwise And in Case she shall intermarry with any Person whomsoever Then I do declare the bequest of the use of the said three Rooms said Part of my dwelling House and Household Goods to be Void And instead thereof I do Give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Elizabeth Fox One Plad Bed Bedding and Furniture Situate in my Parlour, half a Dozen of Chairs Two Tables One Chest, three Boxes two Smoothing Irons, One Coffer, Two Pewter Dishes, two Pewter Plates, One Pewter Tankard, One Pail, one large brass Pan, and two Candlesticks to be delivered to her Immediately after her Marriage by my said Executor

And Lastly all the Rest Residue and Remainder of my household Goods other Goods Stock Cattle Chattels Rights Credits and Personal Estate of what kind or nature soever (my Debts Legacies and Funeral expences being first Paid and discharged) I Give and bequeath the same unto my Youngest Son William Fox whom I do hereby appoint full and Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby Revoking and making Void all other Wills by me at any time heretofore made

In Witness whereof I the said William Fox the Father and Testator have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Twenty eighth day of April and in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty

                                                                                                                William Fox

Signed Sealed Published and declared by the said William Fox the Father and Testator as and for his last Will and Testament Written on two sheets of Paper to the first set his hand and to the last hath fixed his Seal in the Presence of us the Witnesses who have at his request and in his Presence and in the Presence of each other set our hands as Witnesses to the Execution of this his said Will

Edwd Stokes Junr

Robert Parr

Thos Smart

On the twentieth day of June 1780 William Fox, the sole Executor in the within written will, was sworn to the due Execution thereof, & at the same time made Oath, that all the testators personal Estate at the time of his Death was not worth a hundred pounds

                                                                                                                Before me Tho. Ford Surrogate