Z876/2/6

Probate copy of the will dated 30 Dec 1796 of William Johnson of Shefford, plumber and glazier. Gives and devises to James Lacy of Clophill, miller, and Crout Davies of Arlesey, farmer, in fee his 2 messuages or tenements and 1 acre of arable land and 11p. of meadow in the town and fields of Shefford, and all his other realty upon trust to pay the rents, issues and profits of the same to his wife Elizabeth Johnson and her assigns for her life for her support and to enable her to maintain and educate his children and upon trust for sale after her death, the money arising to be paid into the hands of his trustees JL/CD. Gives and bequeaths to his wife, after payment of his funeral expenses and probate and just debts, the use and occupation but not the property of all the remainder of his ready money, securities and debts owed to him, owing stock in trade, household furniture, plate, china, linen, goods, chattels and other personalty for her life for her support etc. [as above]; and after her decease, gives all his personalty and the money arising from the sale of his realty to all his children equally to be divided payable to each of them when they attain the age of 21 years, the interest and rents and profits arising from his realty (until sold) in the meantime to be applied for and towards the education and maintenance of his children (clauses follow re survivorship entitlements in the event of death of his children). Directs his executors to cause an exact inventory or schedule to be made of his personalty immediately after his decease, signed by his wife and kept and preserved for the inspection and satisfaction of his children. Appoints his wife and JL/CD guardians of his children until they attain their majorities. Wills and directs that his executors may be at liberty to carry on his business for 12 months after his decease if they 'shall think it advisable so to do by way of trial and ...at the expiration of that period the same shall either be continued or else totally relinquished and disposed of to the best advantage'; and if either of his sons shall choose to be brought up or educated in his trade, then he may be placed under the care and instruction of a proper person for that purpose. Wills and directs that his executors may during the minorities of his children advance so much of their respective shares of and in his personalty as they think proper and necessary for the putting forth and placing out of all or any of them as clerks or apprentices to any profession, trade or business. Appoints his wife, JL and CD as executors. Witnesses: John Phipps, Thomas Hare and Edward Cooch. Probate at the Archdeaconry of Bedford. Records that the testator's assets were sworn as being under £1000.

31 Jan 1800

From: 1800 To: 1800

item

Johnson, William,
Lacy, James,
Davies, Crout,
Johnson, Elizabeth,
Phipps, John,
Hare, Thomas,
Cooch, Edward

legal papers, William will: Johnson, plumber, glazier, miller, farmer, PROBATE, CLOPHILL, SHEFFORD, ARLESEY