RO20/4

Probate with Copy of Will Annexed of Frances Read late of Stevington, widow Probate: Archdeaconry of Bedford, administration granted to John Birdseye and Elizabeth Woodward executors named in the will

Will 26 May 1701, probate 8 Apr 1704

From: 1701 To: 1704

Will: Frances Read of Stevington, widow, lately called Frances Laughton of the same, widow By former will dated 3 November 1681 gave -to Ann Honour, kinswoman £25 to be paid at her marriage -to Abigail Birdsey, kinswoman £80 to be paid at marriage -to kinsmen William and John Birdsey £5 each to be paid at marriage -to kinswoman Ann Birdsey £25 to be paid at her marriage and gave various household goods to said three kinswomen, said legacies are now all paid and testatrix revokes said will Now bequeaths: -to kinswoman Abigail Wheeler, least chest with one pair sheets, one board cloth, 3 pillowbears and 2 napkins therein and bedstead in chamber over kitchin with feather bed and furnishings with feather pillow and bolster, biggest brass kettle, pewter dish marked A.W. on bottom, form, joint stool, great chair in hall and 4 pewter dishes to the 4 daughters of said Abigail each marked with letters beginning their names on the bottom -to kinswoman Ann Roe biggest chest with same contents as above, bedstead in chamber over the hall with furnishings and feather bed and coverlet on bed in parlour; feather pillow, blanket, best brass kettle next to the biggest, little porridge pot, pewter dish marked A.R., one form, one joint stool, chair table and biggest pewter dish to daughter of said Ann marked with letters which begin her name -to maidservant Elizabeth Woodward best gown and petticoat -to kinsman William Birdsey of Kempston 1s -to kinsman Valentine Birdsey and his sisters Martha and Mary £3 each to be paid at age 14 (if all three die before that age to be paid to their brother William) executors to put said £9 out to profit of said children until they reach 14 -residue to John Birdsey of Millbrook and said Elizabeth Woodward, executors Witnesses: William Smith senior, Thomas Laurence, Daniel Negus Endorsement: "Will of old Mother Read giving her bed, bolster and sheets, and a brass kettle, to some of the Birdseys"

item

Birdseye, John,
Woodward, Elizabeth,
Read, Frances,
Laughton, Frances,
Honour, Ann,
Birdsey, Abigail,
Birdsey, William,
Birdsey, John,
Birdsey, Ann,
Wheeler, Abigail,
Roe, Ann,
Birdsey, Valentine,
Birdsey, Martha,
Birdsey, Mary,
Smith, William,
Laurence, Thomas,
Negus, Daniel

wills, PROBATE, legal papers, administrations, STEVINGTON, household furniture