Z937/29/5

Copy will of Thomas Field esq of Hitchin.

1748

From: 1748 To: 1748

Weak in body but sound in mind. All copyhold in Beds and Herts surrendered to the use of his will - to dearly beloved wife Ann Field, copyhold and freehold estates in Hitchin and Ippollitts, and Barton Bridge Closes in Higham Gobion, and copyhold estate in Shillington, Stondon, Gravenhurst and Meppershall held of the manor of Shillington now occ by John Spring and Thomas Flint, for her life - also to wife, plate, household goods, furniture and implements within and without his house - the Brotherhood House - in Hitchin where he lives - to worthy friend and neighbour Joseph Margetts Peirson, grocer of Hitchin, the residue of copyhold and freehold in Beds and Herts, and the estates given above to wife after her death, in trust to allow son Charles Nicholls Field, now at Southstoke, Sussex, firstly 60 pa by half yearly payments until he attains 24 years, next to discharge the interest on several mortgages affecting the estates, and the rest to discharge the principal so far as it will extend. After son reaches 24, his allowance to be increased to 100 pa until all the incumbrances on the copyhold and freehold estates are discharged, and after that at son's request to convey to him all copyhold and freehold estates. Until such request, in trust to allow son and his heirs to enjoy the rents and profits, not doubting son's duty to his mother in law, testator's wife, who is appointed his guardian until he is 21 - if said son at any time marries Mary Atkinson, who is at present in testator's service "and my suspicion thereof was the cause of my sending him to Sussex" then every benefit and advantage to him is revoked, and all copyhold and freehold estates, after payment of incumbrances, go to nephew Charles Nicholls Field, eldest son of brother John Field of Hitchin, and his heirs for ever - requests Mr Pierson to accept this trust, and bequeaths him a legacy of 10 guineas and a salary not exceeding 10 pa. If he refuses, wife to nominate a proper person in his place - to dearly beloved wife, Chambers in the Middle Temple to be sold for the best price, and the money raised used to pay her own copyhold fines and heriots on admittances after testator's decease, and the residue to pay the fines and heriots of trustee - to old acquaintance Edward Umpreville esq 10 guineas - wife to be residuary legatee, and she and Joseph Margetts Pierson executors Dated 12 March 1748 Witnesses: Thomas Thorne of Horn Tavern, Fleet Street, Edward Cheese of White Friars, and Henry Bennett of Mitre Court.

2 pages, No. of pieces: 1

Handwritten

sheets of paper

item

Field, Thomas,
Field, Charles Nicholls,
Field, Ann,
Field, John,
Flint, Thomas,
Spring, John,
Pierson, Joseph Margetts,
Atkinson, Mary,
Umpreville, Edward,
Thorne, Thomas,
Cheese, Edward,
Bennett, Henry

Shillington Manor, grocer, Thomas will: Field, disinheritance, Hitchin, HIGHAM GOBION, SHILLINGTON, STONDON, GRAVENHURST, MEPPERSHALL, Hitchin Brotherhood House, South Stoke, Middle Temple, City of London Fleet Street, City of London Whitefriars Street, City of London Mitre Court