Scope and Content
i) Susanna Stevens, Eaton Bray, widow
Thomas Stevens, Mursley, Buckinghamshire, labourer
Thomas Stevens, Stewkley, Buckinghamshire, labourer
Mary Grace, Stewkley, widow
Elizabeth Ealing, Stewkley, widow
James Stevens, Phoenix Place, Phoenix Street, Somers Town, Middlesex, labourer
Ann Stevens, Cublington, Buckinghamshire, spinster
Jane Stevens, Cublington, spinster
Zilpah Brandon, Weedon, Hardwick, Buckinghamshire, widow
Richard Hedges, Stewley, labourer and wife Mary Ann
ii) John Stevens, Cublington, farmer
iii) John Birdsey, Leighton Buzzard, dealer in earthenware
Reciting will of John Stevens, formerly of Nightingale Lane, Limehouse, Middlesex, victualler, but late of Cublington, Buckinghamshire, yeoman deceased, dated 11 May 1824
... to brother Robert Stevens and nephew ii)
... copyhold premises at Leighton Buzzard called the Black Horse Inn to be held in trust for sale
... personal estate
... goodwill of victualling house called "The Experienced Fowler" in Nightingale Lane, to be converted into money
trust - proceeds to brother Robert Stevens, for life
- after death of brother, to distribute proceeds among children of testator's brothers, Thomas and William Stevens, both deceased, and of Robert Stevens
Robert and ii) appointed executors
John Stevens, the testator died on 22 July 1831, Will proved (Prerogative Court of Canterbury) on 15 December 1831
Reciting that John Stevens, Eaton Bray, labourer deceased, and Thomas Stevens of Mursley were only 2 children of Thomas Stevens, testator's brother, now deceased
Reciting also that Thomas Stevens of Stewkley, Mary Grace and Elizabeth Ealing were children of William Stevens deceased
Reciting that Robert Stevens late of Leighton Buzzard deceased, and Ann Stevens, Jane Stevens, ii), Zilpah Brandon and William Stevens, late of Wing, Buckinghamshire, labourer, deceased, were the 6 children of Robert Stevens living at time of testator's decease
Reciting death of William Stevens of Wing on 3 June 1833 leaving Mary Ann Hedges as his widow and administratrix
net residue of estate of John Stevens £47..7s..4d
no sale of the copyhold premises has taken place
iii) has agreed to buy the Black Horse for £780
ii) on behalf of i) has surrendered the premises into the hands of the Lord of the Manor to the use of iii)
balance left £735..14s..6d (total, with residue of personal estate £783..1s..10d) and has been divided into 11 shares of £71..3s..9d
now in consideration of their shares, i) releases to ii)
... all trusts concerning the residue of the personal estate
ii) covenants with iii) that he (and his co-trustee) have done anything to charge or incumber the property
marks of i) except Jane, Zilpah, and Richard and Mary Ann Hedges, who sign
signed: ii) and iii)
endorsed witnesses: A Ashfield, Joseph Woodman, solicitors, Leighton Buzzard