Title
Copy of will, extracted from PCC, of Thomas Willis, Dunstable Street, Toddington, gentleman
Debts, funeral expenses etc to be paid out of personal estate. If insufficient, then out of sale of real estate
... to daughter, Mary Ann, wife of Edmund Sear of Toddington, baker
- house hold furniture, plate, linen, books etc and effects for her own sole use absolutely
... to son John Willis, now residing in America
- 7 copyhold cottages in Firs Lane, Toddington, in occupations of Richard Ireland, - Barker, Thomas Horley, Henry Franklin, George Wren, John Sandon and William Randle for life, he keeping them in repair and insured after his decease - to the now wife of John, for life, provided she continue his widow and unmarried. At her decease or second marriage, then to their child or children
- piece ground (5 acres) part of a certain field in Toddington abutting on footpath from Toddington to Chalgrave Farm, in occupation of Mr Foll and adjoining Crowbush Farm and the Pightle
Said piece of ground is intended to be divided from said field, together with right of way from road from Toddington to Luton, through said field, and leading to Crow Bush Farm
... to son Joseph Wills, now residing at Pontesbury near Shrewbury, Salop, for life
- 2 freehold messuages at Great Berkhampstead, Hertfordshire, now in occupation of James Nash, blacksmith, and John Crisp, chemist and druggist premises to be kept in repair and insured after his decease - to now wife of said Joseph, for life, provided she continue his widow and unmarried. At her decease or her second marriage, then to their child or children. If no children, then property to brother William Willis
... to James Willis, Shipton Lee, Bucks., farmer, for life
- piece of land (14 acres) in Horse Lane Field, Toddington
South Mr Foll of Fancott
West Crow Bush Farm
11 acres of above are in occupation of William Marlow and William Pandle, 2 acres are in occupation of testator and 1 acre in occupation of John Roberts of Toddington, wheelwright
said piece of ground is residue of said field mentioned above and given by testator to son John Willis
- houses etc erected thereon, in occupation of -
premises to be kept in repair and insured
after his decease, to wife of said James, and then to children [as above]
... to daughter Mary Ann, wife of Edmund Sear of Toddington, baker, for life
- copyhold messuage 'wherein I now or did lately dwell..'
- 5 copyhold messuages adjoining in occupations of Edward Barker, Samuel Arnold, Thomas Jones, Thomas Smith and John Valentine, in Dunstable Street, Toddington
to be kept repaired and insured
- close of freehold pasture land (2 acres 30 perch) inclosed by a quick hedge, at the Upper End of Horse Lane Field 'now in my own occupation' in Toddington, and fronting road from Toddington to Luton. After her decease, then to husband, Edmund Sear, for life, and then for children
... to trustees
- freehold farm, lands etc in Toddington, and all other real estate to receive rents etc for 12 months to pay debts and expenses, and then to sell property to pay legacies:
... to eldest son, James Willis
- 100
... to son, Joseph Willis
- 500
... to son, John Willis
- 100
... to son, Thomas Willis
- 700
... for benefit of Ruth Jane Willis, natural daughter of Mary Ann Sear
- 300
(total - 1700)
If proceeds of sale insufficient, legacies to be reduced proportionately.
If proceeds of sale more than 1700 then surplus to be considered part of personal estate
money for R J Willis to be invested in public stocks and paid to her at 21. If she dies under that age, then money to go to Mary Ann Sear, for life, and then for her children
If under 21, money may be used for maintenance and education
- all other personal estate.
After payment of debts, then to be bequeathed to sons James, William and Joseph and to daughter Mary Ann Sear, to be equally divided between them.
Power to appoint new trustees
Executors and trustees - son, William Willis, of Luton, manufacturer, Robert Bell, Toddington, draper & Joseph Gutteridge, Dunstable, farmer will dated 27 February 1846
will proved (PCC, London) 13 April 1846