Richard Hart of Long Clawson 1707 Will

Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Archives PR/T/1707/18

In the name of God Amen The first day of November 1706 according to the computation of the Church of England I Richard Hart of Claxton als Long Clauson in the County of Leicester Collar maker being weak of body but of a sound and perfect mind and memory (praised be Almighty God for it) doe make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say

First and principally I commend my soule into the hands of Almighty God my Creator hopeing through the merits of Jesus Christ my onely Saviour and Redeemer to receive full pardon of all my sins, and be made a partaker of life everlasting

And as for my body I commit to the Earth from whence it was taken to be buried in such manner as my Executor hereafter named shall think fit and convenient

And as touching that temporal estate which the Lord in mercy hath lent me I dispose of it in manner and form following That is to say

First I give and bequeath unto my son John Hart one shilling

Item I give and bequeath unto my son Richard Hart one shilling

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Hart one shilling

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Hart one shilling

Item all the rest of my goods whatsoever moveable and unmoveable I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Hart on this condition that he pay all my debts and funeral expences, and also maintaining my wife with meat drink washing and lodging and cloathes during her life, and also to maintain my two youngest children till they are able to get their living and maintain themselves

Lastly I make ordain and appoint my son Thomas Hart Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament

In witness whereof I the said Richard Hart doe hereby revoke and make void all former Wills and Testaments by me made, and I doe hereby ratifie and confirm this my last Will and Testament setting hereunto my hand and seal the day and year first above written

                                                                                                         Richard Hart his marke

Signed sealed and published as the last Will and Testament of Richard Hart in the presence of us

Before the sealing & signing & publishing of this Will Richard Hart did declare that it was his Will and mind that his wife should have the best bed and bedding belonging to it

John Reay

Rich: Fawkes

Easter Freestone her marke